FEDERATION FOR
INTERNATIONAL
FOOTGOLF

Part 4 – Situations of Play 

4-1 - General 
The rules in this section are “MAIN RULES OF PLAY”, so general rules valid in every situation of play, wherever the ball or the player is standing.
 
4-1-1 Improving the situations
The ball must be played as it is found, unless in a situation where relief or penalty is applied. A player must not improve or allow any improvements of:

1. The position of the ball.

2. The space in which they practice their swing approach to the ball, stance or run-up.

3. Their intended line of play, or a reasonable extension of it beyond the hole or the ball.

4. The area where they are supposed to drop or place the ball.

By doing any of the following actions:

1. Pressing the ground with their foot.

2. Moving, twisting or breaking anything that is growing or attached (including immovable obstructions and objects that define the boundaries).

3. Creating or eliminating irregularities on the surface.

4. Removing dew, water or frost.

5. Protecting themselves or line of play from weather elements. (Example: Holding or being covered by an umbrella or protecting themselves or the ball from wind or movement due to wind.)

Nevertheless, the player will not suffer any penalties if the action happens when:

1. The player makes a slight pressure with their feet while preparing the shot.

2. The player takes their stance normally (A player is entitled to use their body to create space in trees or bushes to make their stance but cannot use their hands)

3. The player executes a shot or the movement of their leg backwards to execute a shot and it is indeed executed.

4. The player creates or removes irregularities in the teeing ground surface.

The player must replace the ball to it’s original position if there is a gentle movement.
Note: Penalty for breaching this rule is +1 kick and replay shot from the original position.
 
4-1-2 Building a Stance
A player can step with two feet around the ball while taking a stance, but cannot modify the space around them to build the stance (e.g. touch/grab plants or bushes).
Exception: A player is entitled to use their body to create space in trees or bushes to make their stance but cannot use their hands.
Note: A player cannot touch anything with their hands fixed or growing when executing the kick
Penalty for breach of rule is +1 kick plus replay the shot.
 
If the ball accidentally moves when the player creates their stance there is no penalty and the ball should be replaced before playing
 
4-1-3 Looking for the ball
When a player is searching for a ball anywhere on the course (their ball or the ball of an opponent), they can touch high grass, bushes, shrubbery etc but only what is necessary to find it, always trying to take good care of the course and nature, not to alter the position of the ball, the space where they will practice their stance or swing, or their line of play. In case the ball is moved, there is no penalty for the searching player and the ball must be replaced.
 
4-1-4 Playing (ball, way, position)
4-1-4.1 Playing the right ball
The responsibility of playing the right ball (their one and 'in play') is the player’s. Every player should put an identifying mark on their ball. If a competitor executes a hit or hits with a wrong ball, the player will be penalized +1 kick and they must fix the mistake by kicking the right ball or proceeding according to The Rules as soon as possible. If the error is not corrected, the player will add a total of +2 kicks to that hole as penalty. If the wrong ball belongs to another competitor, the owner must place a ball in the place where the wrong ball was played in the beginning (asking for other players’ agreement) without any penalty.
 
4-1-4.2 Playing in the right way
The ball must be directly kicked with the shoe and it must not be intentionally pushed, dragged, stepped on, scooped, impaled or any other action which is not the direct impact. There is no case in which the player can kick the ball intentionally with the sole of their footwear. Penalty for breaching this rule is +1 kick and replay shot from its original position.

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If while executing the shot, the player accidentally hits the ball with any other part of their body more than once (double hit) within the same movement, the player must count this as one single stroke. However, if the ball touches any part of the body or equipment after hitting a tree or any other object, a +1 penalty stroke must be applied and the ball must be played from where it will stop.

If the ball, due to major wind or disruptive conditions, moves and touches the player's foot, this is not considered a kick and the ball must be replaced in the original spot.
 
At all times, when the ball is grabbed, a ball marker must be on the ground to indicate the original position
 
4-1-4.3 Playing from the right position
If the player kicks their ball from a wrong position (e.g. not replacing the ball after a collision or in front of the ball marker) they will receive a penalty of +1 kick and must replay shot from its original position, not considering as valid the kick(s) after the one from the wrong position(s).

If a player fails to play from the correct position and move on, for example realizing about the infraction in a following hole, they must add +2 to the score on the hole when the infraction occurred.
 
4-1-4.4 Playing a ball in movement
A player must not execute a shot if the ball is in motion. By doing so, they shall receive a +1 penalty stroke and replay the shot from the last position or +2 penalty strokes in case the shot is not replayed (i.e. finishing the hole and move on to the next one).

 

Note: When a still ball starts to move after the movement to execute the hit has already started, the player does not fall into any penalties.
 
4-1-5 Marking the ball or its position.
The position of the ball must be marked by using a coin or cylindrical flat object (no larger than 60mm) by placing the marker behind the ball in line with the hole. The ball must be replaced in exactly the same position after the marker is placed. The player must mark every position in which the ball will eventually be situated if it needs to be lifted, including all kinds of reliefs. General penalty applies if either the ball or the mark is not on the ground (exception made when the ball is moved accidentally).

If a player’s marker is an obstruction, it can be moved without penalty either left or right using the player’s foot as a guideline for distance. The player’s foot that is used for marking must be the one who replaces the marker again repeating the procedure to return to the original point.
The player must mark, raise, and eventually clean the ball, always following the stipulated procedure in this rule, in the following cases:

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1. When other players ask to mark the ball’s position because it is interfering with their game

2. When the ball is inside the Green ‘green zone’ (In case the Green is not marked, within a 3 meter distance from the hole, if, in that distance the ball is not in a hazard). The Penalty of + 1 kick will be applied to both players if two balls, one lying on the green and one approaching the green, collide. The Penalty of + 1 kick will be applied only to the approaching ball player if the player lying on the green is respecting the rule "Marking the ball" and had no time to act properly.

3. When an obstruction must be removed (according to the rules) and removing it may move the ball.

4. When it is near the flag or green or in a clear advantageous position for a following player (e.g. on the edge of a water hazard, potentially protecting other balls to fall into it). The ball can be considered in an advantageous position if at least one more player in the group agrees in that definition, in which case a penalty of + 1 kick will be applied to the kicker approaching the green if the balls collide. In case all other players in the group do not agree on this definition, and the following ball collides with the resting one, these other players in the group shall receive a warning and +1 penalty kick if they repeat the same behavior during the round.

5. If a player has reasons to believe that their ball has become damaged for the game during the hole that is being played at the moment. They must seek prior approval from the other players of the group.

6. If the ball is lying on a zone that the player has reason to believe it must be investigated and the presence of the ball itself makes it impossible (for example the ball covers a sprinkler or a manhole that cannot be seen without removing the ball). They must seek prior approval from the other players of the group.

7. When calling STOP according to Rule 4-1-6.

8. ​

A player who marks a ball without permission and in any other situation not described above, will be given a +1 penalty.

 

A ball will be considered 'in play' ONLY when the ball is kicked, so if the ball moves after the ball marker removal the player must replace it in its original position with no penalty.

 

When a ball must be dropped and it does not stop in its designed place, there is no penalty and the ball must be replaced in front of the marker.

 

If when replaced the ball does not stay still in that place, it should be placed in the nearest place where it can lay still that is not nearer to the hole using the equidistant rule.

 

It is allowed to play with the ball marker on the floor at any time and anywhere on the course.

 

Any organizing member, caddies or players being part of the competition are permitted to mark the ball for another player. In this case, the ball must be replaced either by the one who marked it or by the owner of the ball that was marked. In the event the ball is replaced by the wrong person, the owner of the ball receives a warning, and +1 penalty kick for every time this incidence happens again.

 

A player who is asked to mark their ball must take ball markers from the other players in the group in order to mark all other subsequent balls if requested. Players not following this procedure will receive a warning, and +1 penalty kick for every time this incidence happens again. Only a Marshal or TD are allowed to issue these sanctions and will be applied to all players in the group.

 

  

4-1-6 Stop Rule

 

At any time during a round and anywhere on the course, a player can apply the Stop rule. The player is entitled to call ‘STOP’ and must replace their ball in its initial position if it has moved (even without having marked it yet), if and only if the ball had completely stopped.

 

If a player fails to call ‘STOP’ and the ball moves for any reason (excluding a foreign cause), then the player must play the ball from the new position until the next player in the group executed the next shot (in which case the ball must be replaced back to the original position). Exception made for a ball holed after 10 seconds, even if the ball is not on the green, in which case it must be replaced back to the original position.

STOP Rule Procedure:

1. The player must raise their hand and say "STOP" in the moment when the ball is still.

2. The other players in the group must validate the position. In case of dispute, the majority prevails (a marshal or TD can rule in this situation).

3. Once called "STOP", the player must put the marker in the validated position.

4. If the ball moves after declaring the "STOP", the validated position will be considered for marking the ball that must not be grabbed unless requested by another player.

 

 

4-1-7 Lost or moved ball marker

4-1-7.1 Lost ball marker
If a player marks their ball and then cannot find their ball marker within 3 minutes to go on with the game, they must play the ball, with +1 penalty stroke, from the position that the majority of the players of the group declares as the nearer position from what they think the ball marker should be.
Exception: No penalty expected for lost ball marker after leaving a hole for game suspension.
 
4-1-7.2 Moved ball marker

1. By the owner or another player

If a player moves a ball marker, whether accidentally or not, they will receive a +1 penalty kick and must replace it back to the original position.​​

1. By a Foreign Cause / Outside Agency / External Factor

In this case, the player must play the ball, without any penalty stroke, from the position that the majority of the players of the group declares as the nearer position from what they think the ball marker was before the movement.
 
4-1-8 Grabbing the ball
Once the game has started, the ball cannot be raised or grabbed by the player, unless it is under conditions which are explicitly authorized by the rules or by local rules. In authorized cases for raising the ball, the player must always give notice to their marker or other player that they will do so, expressing the cause, and proceeding to indicate the ball’s position (marking the ball). After this procedure, the ball can be picked up. When the ball is grabbed, a ball marker must be on the ground to indicate the original position (general penalty will apply for any ball grabbed without being marked). The ball must be replaced by the person who marked it or by the owner of the ball. 
 
4-1-9 Cleaning the ball
A player can clean the ball only when marked according to rules or in between holes. Players cannot mark and/or pick up the ball just for cleaning it (exception made for ball on the green).
 
4-1-10 Unplayable ball

The player can consider their ball as unplayable anywhere on the course. However, a ball that has stayed stuck in a tree, bush or plant at a height in which the player cannot kick it with one foot on the floor is considered "mandatory unplayable". 

 

This situation should proceed as follows: The player whose ball stays elevated has 30 seconds to wait for their ball to become playable according to rules (so with no direct or indirect interfering) as soon as they reach the situation. After this amount of time, the ball is declared unplayable and if the tree/bush is out of bounds, the kick is repeated from the original position, if it is within limits the unplayable ball rule will be applied. In both cases, a penalty stroke will be counted. So, if the player decides the ball is unplayable, the player must:

1. Drop the ball using the nearest point of relief + 2 meters; or,

2. Drop the ball behind the point where the ball is resting, keeping that point directly between the hole and the place where the ball is dropped, without distance limit behind; or

3. Return to the location of the previous kick.

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4-1-11 Damaged or Lost ball

 

4-1-11.1 Damaged ball

 

A ball is damaged for the game if it is visibly torn, cut or deformed. A ball is not useless for the game if it is only stained with mud or any other material, if it is scratched in its outside surface, or if the paint is damaged. If a player has reasons to believe that their ball has become damaged while playing a hole, they can mark it and raise the ball without any penalties to determinate whether it is or not damaged, according to the designed rule. If it is determined that the ball has become damaged for the game while playing a hole, the player can replace it with a replacing ball, marking the original ball and placing the new one where the original ball was laying, with no penalty. If the player does not follow these instructions without any good reason to believe that the ball is damaged, there will be a penalty of +1 kick. Playing with a damaged ball is allowed.

 
4-1-11.2 Lost ball

 

If a player believes that their ball went missing while playing a hole (e.g. in a water obstacle or outside the course), they can replace it with a provisional ball in order to save time, placing it where the original ball was laying before getting lost. A provisional ball becomes the ball ‘in play’ when the original ball is definitely lost or out of bounds and/or the provisional ball is kicked for the second time. If the original ball is found within the allotted time and is in bounds then this must be played.

 
4-1-11.3 Proceeding with damaged or lost ball

 

Play must be continued without delay, so the group behind (only one) must be called to continue play and the overcame one must restart playing when they have completed the hole. If the player is not ready to play, they will be scored maximum PAR +10 (Example: On a Par 3 the player will record 13) for that hole and every following faced without a ball.

 
4-1-12 Order of Play

 

4-1-12.1 When players start a hole

 

The starting order in the first hole is determined by the official groups list. In absence of the list, the honour should be decided by a draw. The competitor with the lowest score in the previous hole has the honour in the next one. The competitor with the second lowest score is the next one to play, successively. If two or more competitors have the same score in one hole, they will play the next one in the same order they did in the last one. If a game is played out of order there will be no penalty unless it is deemed it was done so to gain/remove an advantage. Penalty of +1 kick would therefore be to both players, the one due to play and the one that actually played.

Exception: In team formats the order of play between two or more players on the same team is permitted to alter.

 
4-1-12.2 While playing a hole

 

After the competitors have begun to play the hole, the ball that is furthest from the hole is played first. If two or more balls are in the same distance to the hole, or if their positions regarding the hole cannot be determined, the game order will be the same as in the start of the hole. Players have to wait behind the furthest ball, and in this way, get closer to the hole, taking turns and always behind the furthest ball, unless:

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1.    Is requested to mark a ball, in which case the player must not stay in the intended line of play or putt line of any other player.

2.    If the game ball invaded another hole which is being played by another group and that might interfere with foreign game which makes it necessary to mark the ball quickly.

3.    There is a doubt about the position of any ball according to the limits of the course, in which case the first thing that the player should do is to mark the place from where the shot was executed and reach the ball is laying with his/her “marker” player to see its position. If the ball is outside the boundaries, it goes back to the ball marker applying the "out of bounds" rule. If not, the game continues normally.

4.     A player is ready to play and has been given permission to play by any of the remaining players in their group.

 

Any player who walks while another player in the group is executing their shot or that moves ahead of play will be deemed to have ‘bad etiquette’. If a game is played out of order there will be no penalty unless it is deemed it was done so to gain an advantage (e.g. A player is entitled to 'tap in' if the ball is located in the minimal green zone - 3 meters from the hole). Penalty of +1 kick would therefore be to both players, the one due to play and the one that actually played.

 

Exception: In team formats the order of play between two or more players on the same team is permitted to alter.

 
4-1-12.3 Multiple balls played at the same time (playing out of turn)

 

If multiple balls are played at the same time, no penalty will be applied unless the balls collide. If a player plays out of turn at the same time as another player and the moving balls collide, then the player deemed playing out of turn will be given a +1 penalty and will have to replay their shot from the original position. In this case the player deemed out of turn is the one nearest to the hole. The player who was entitled to play can replay the shot from the original position with no penalty (seeking prior approval from the other players of the group) or play from the position where the ball lies.

 
4-1-13 Out of Bounds

 

If a ball is off limits, the player must, with a penalty stroke, play the ball as near as possible from where the ball was last played. If there is a doubt about the position of any ball according to the limits of the course, the first thing that the player should do is to mark the place from where the shot was executed before reaching the estimated position of the ball. If the ball is outside the boundaries, the player goes back to the ball marker applying the "out of bounds" rule. If not, the game continues normally. If a player fails to play from the correct position and move on, for example realizing about the infraction in a following hole, they must add +2 to the score on the hole when the infraction occurred.

 
4-1-14 Ball at rest moved

 

4-1-14.1 By foreign cause

 

A foreign cause is considered any object, animal or individual that does not participate in the game of the group (Marshal included). The wind is not considered a foreign cause. If a still ball is moved by a foreign cause, there is no penalty and the ball must be replaced by the owner player that must seek prior approval from the other players of the group.

 
4-1-14.2 By the player or partner, their caddie or one of their team

 

If one of the above during the normal play of a hole grabs or moves the ball, touches it intentionally, or causes movement of the ball, then the player falls into one penalty stroke. There is no penalty if a player accidentally causes the ball’s movement under the following circumstances:

1. by looking for a lost ball

2. by marking a ball according to a rule

3. by placing or replacing

4. by removing loose impediments

5. by removing movable obstructions

6. by creating their stance

 

If a ball at rest is moved, it should be replaced in its original position by the owner that must seek prior approval from the other players of the group.

 
4-1-14.3 By the opponent or the opponent’s team

 

If an opponent or their team moves the ball, touches it or causes its movement whether accidentally or not, they will receive a +1 penalty kick and the ball must be replaced back to the original position.

 
4-1-14.4 By another ball

 

When a still ball is moved by another moving ball, it must be replaced by the owner player or by the player whose ball moved it. They must seek prior approval from the other players of the group.

 
4-1-14.5 By the wind

 

If a player fails to call ‘STOP’ and the ball moves because of the wind, then the player must play the ball from the new position until the next player in the group executed the next shot (in which case the ball must be replaced back to the original position).

Note: If a player fails to play from the correct position they will receive the penalty of +1 kick.

 
4-1-15 Deflected or stopped moving ball

 

4-1-15.1 By a foreign cause (Rule 3-1-6)

 

If a player’s moving ball is accidentally deflected or stopped by a foreign cause (including a player, an object or cart from another group), it is an accidental interference and the ball may be played again from the original position without penalties or played as it lies. The choice is that of the player kicking.

 

4-1-15.2 By the player, their partners or their team

 

If a player’s ball is deflected or stopped while in motion by any situation that the kicking player has created themselves (i.e. the player’s own body, equipment or golf cart), the player receives +1 penalty kick and replay the shot from the original position. Exception made for any deflection or stopped ball behind the line of play.

 
4-1-15.3 By the opponent or their team

 

If a player’s ball is deflected or stopped while in motion by any situation that a player from the same flight creates, that player (not the kicker) receives +1 penalty kick to their score for that hole. The kicking player may play again from the original position without penalties or play as it lies. The choice is that of the player kicking. Note: a golf cart shared by the kicking player and another player in the flight results in a + 1 penalty kick for both players involved. Exception made for any deflection or stopped ball behind the line of play or when it hits a player or their equipment who was asked to mark another ball ahead of the line of play.

 

4-1-15.4 By another ball

 

If the executed shot hits a still ball, the hitting ball should be played from where it stops with no penalty (Exception: If the ball that was hit was on the green zone or advantageous position then a penalty applies according to the rules to the hitting player). The ball that was hit may be replaced by its owner or by the owner of the hitting ball according to the rules with no penalty (exceptions apply if the ball that was hit was on the green zone).

 

If a player plays out of turn at the same time as another player and the moving balls collide, then the player deemed second to play will be given a penalty and will have to replay their shot from the original position. The player who was entitled to play can replay the shot from the original position with no penalty (seeking prior approval from the other players of the group) or play from the position where the ball lies.

 

 

4-2 - The Tee Zone 

 

4-2-1 Placing the ball and kicking

 

When a player is placing the ball in the starting place, it must be played within the surface of it, on the ground or a tee placed on that surface. If at the beginning of a hole a competitor plays a ball from outside the starting place, they fall into one penalty stroke and must play the ball again from the starting place. If a player fails to correctly play from the tee zone, they will be disqualified. Players can find the best place to put the ball without modifying the ground (e.g. digging the ground with their foot to elevate the ball). The ball can leave the starting area from any side of it, it's not mandatory to kick the ball between the two tee markers.

 
4-2-2 Using a Tee

 

The approved Tee has to have conical shape with the following dimensions: 2cm height x 4cm internal diameter x 7cm base. A Tee can only be used in the teeing ground. If a player goes out of bounds when teeing off, a tee can be used when replaying the shot from the teeing ground. If a ball falls (for any cause) from the tee or is removed from it by the player when preparing the shot, it may be placed again without any penalties. Nevertheless, if the shot is executed while the ball is moving or not, the shot is valid, regardless of where the ball has landed.

 
4-2-3 Tee Markers

 

The starting markers cannot be moved for any reason. Penalty for breaking this rule is +1 kick. If, when playing any hole in the course, the tee markers are interfering with the stance or position of the ball, nearest point of relief can be applied.

 

4-2-4 Obstruction on intended line of play

 

A player is entitled to remove any movable obstruction when on the tee zone that is on their intended line of play (e.g. tee markers belonging to golf).

 
4-2-5 Playing from the wrong tee

 

If a player tees off from the wrong tee belonging to the right hole (e.g. men starting from the female tee) or tees off from a tee belonging to any other hole, they must correct their error — restart from the right tee — and add +1 penalty to the correct hole's score, regardless of the number of wrong shots done. If they fail to correct, by finishing the offending hole, they shall score Par + 10 in that hole.

 
 

4-3 - The Penalty Areas 

 

4-3-1 General

 

With ball in a water hazard or penalty area, a player is NOT entitled to relief from any immovable obstructions or loose impediment inside the hazard or on their intended line of play outside the hazard (including ground under repair, occasional water, abnormal ground conditions and similar). The player can remove movable obstructions located inside or outside it. However, they must use the 'hazard kick' (see 3-4-Hazard kick).

 
4-3-2 Red/Yellow Penalty Areas (Water Hazards)

 

When a ball falls inside a water hazard (red or yellow stakes and/or lines), the player can proceed in any of the following ways:

1. Play the ball as it lays following the MAIN RULES OF PLAY, using the 'hazard kick', with no possibility to take relief from an immovable obstruction (including ground under repair, occasional water, abnormal ground conditions and similar) or loose impediment in the hazard interfering with position of the ball, stance or intended line of play (also outside the hazard). Note: All attempts inside the hazard will count if the player finally decides to drop the ball according to the following options.

2. Play the ball from where the last hit was executed with +1 penalty stroke.

3. Drop the ball from the point where the ball crossed the water hazard’s margin for the last time or to the sides within a two meter distance but not closer to the hole with +1 penalty stroke. The point of entry to a hazard is extended vertically up and down.

4. Play the ball from a point linking the hole and the point of entry into the hazard with no distance limit with +1 penalty stroke. If it is the green side then they can drop on the hazard line or to the side up to two meter distance but no nearer also with +1 penalty stroke.

 

 

4-4 - The Bunker

 

4-4-1 Ball or player inside the bunker

 

The player whose ball is inside a bunker or the player kicking a ball from a bunker should execute the kick using the 'hazard kick', playing the ball as it lays following the MAIN RULES OF PLAY. With ball inside the bunker, a player is NOT entitled to relief from any immovable obstructions inside the bunker or on their intended line of play also outside it (including ground under repair, casual water, abnormal ground conditions and similar), with also no possibility to take relief from loose impediment in the bunker interfering with position of the ball, stance or intended line of play (also outside the hazard). They can remove movable obstructions located inside or outside the bunker.

 

Exception: A player is entitled to relief for casual water or ground under repair interfering with the position of the ball only.

 
So:

1. The player cannot improve the lie of the ball by moving sand.

2. In a bunker only the standing foot may create a stance.

3. The player whose ball is inside the bunker CANNOT smooth or fix the bunker until their ball is outside of it. (Exception: If they are asked to mark their ball by another player because it is on the intended line of play, they must smooth only their own footprints).

 

Penalty for breaching this rule is + 1 and replay shot from the right position.

 
4-4-2 Ball outside the bunker

 

A player whose ball is not inside the bunker may smooth or fix it before playing a shot from game space as long as no other ball is in the bunker. When any ball is in the bunker it cannot be touched in accordance with the rules other than smoothing after play (multiple balls inside bunker).

(Exception: If they ask another player to mark their ball because it is on their intended line of play. See 4-4-1c).

 
A player is not entitled to relief from casual water that is inside the bunker on their intended line of play.

 
4-4-3 Multiple balls in the bunker

 

When multiple balls are in the bunker, they can be marked and the irregularities (caused by the player or the shot) can be fixed for following players. If a player fails to kick outside the bunker, they must smooth irregularities if it is not their turn to play. However, if it remains their turn they cannot smooth irregularities.

 
4-4-4 Raking the bunker

 

Before leaving the bunker (if there are no balls inside of it), the players must level and smooth carefully the irregularities and steps they caused. If there is a rake, it should be used for these purposes.

 

Penalty for failure to smooth bunker before the next shot of any player is +1 kick.

Exception: A player is entitled to finish the hole if their ball is in close proximity to the hole (inside the green zone) in order to preserve the pace of play.

 
4-4-5 Occasional water in the bunker

 

If a player finds their ball in casual/occasional water inside a bunker, they can drop the ball in the nearest point of relief remaining in the bunker, without penalty.

 
In the case when the bunker is totally covered by occasional water and so it’s not possible to find a nearest point of relief inside of it, the player can drop outside the bunker not nearer to the hole keeping the flag and position of the ball inside the bunker in line with no distance limit but they must kick using the 'hazard kick'.

 
A player is not entitled to relief from casual water in the bunker when they are outside the bunker. Example on their intended line of play.

 
 

4-5 - Green, Fairway and Rough

 

4-5-1 Impediments

 

4-5-1.1 Ball on the green

 

All impediments (abnormal ground conditions, occasional water, obstructions, loose impediments, etc.) can be solved without penalties if it interferes with the position of the ball or stance and putt line, always following the MAIN RULES OF PLAY.

 
4-5-1.2 Ball in the fairway/rough

 

Movable obstructions (bottles, cans, etc.) and loose impediments (leaves, branches, etc.) can removed if they interfere with line of play, stance or position of the ball.  Players can take relief (“free drop") only for immovable obstructions interfering with stance or position of the ball. Player can take relief from abnormal ground conditions, ground under repair, occasional water and similar if they interfere with stance or position of the ball, not for the line of play. Players must follow the MAIN RULES OF PLAY.

 
4-5-2 Touching the putt line or the intended line of play

 

These lines must not be touched, exception made for the player that removes loose impediments or movable obstructions, as long as they do not make pressure and makes sure of not walking on the line pressing down on the field with their body weight.

 

The player is also not allowed to take stomps over mounds of the terrain with the purpose of flattening the course which belongs to the line.

 

Exceptions:

1. While lifting or replacing the ball.

2. While pressing down a ball marker.

3. While removing movable obstructions.

 

Penalty for breaching this rule is + 1 kick.

 
4-5-3 Ten seconds Rule

 

When a player executes a hit and his/her ball stays still on the green zone, before executing a new hit or before marking the ball, the player has the right to wait ten seconds (from the moment in which the player reaches the ball) in case the ball moves. If by then the ball has not fallen into the hole, it is considered still. If the ball falls into the hole within ten seconds, the ball is considered as "holed" by the last player who kicked it, with no further kicks to add. If the ball falls into the hole passed these ten seconds, the player must replace his/her ball in its original position and continue.

 
Note: A player calling STOP means the ball is dead regardless of it dropping into the hole inside ten seconds.

 
4-5-4 Ball on the Golf green or Ground Under Repair

 

It is forbidden to play a ball from the golf course green (unless those courses which is explicitly allowed) or inside ground under repair. If a ball stands still on these areas, it must be removed from it by the player himself, entering with extreme care, and they should proceed according to the equidistant rule for golf green and nearest point of relief from ground under repair, or from a designated dropping zone. Moreover, it's strictly forbidden for the player to take the run-up on both the golf green and GUR, only making a “putting” shot to kick the ball is allowed.

 
Penalty for breaching this rule is +1 kick and replay the shot with a free drop following Rule 4-1-4.3.

 

Note: The Committee may consider disqualification to a player damaging a golf green or GUR if there are enough reasons to support this.

 
Note: The ball can pass through a golf green or a GUR if kicked from outside of them.

 

4-5-5 Marking on the green

 

In accordance with Rule 4-1-5 in case of major wind or disruptive conditions, on the green players can kick the ball without removing the ball marker, to be able to find its exact original position in case of ball movement. Players can mark their ball and clean it if it's in the green zone.

 
4-5-6 Managing the flagstick

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Before executing a hit from any place in the course, the player may have the flagstick removed if he/she desires to but at no point can the flag be attended. If the flagstick is not removed before the player executes the shot, it must not be removed while the shot is being executed or the ball is moving.

 
When the ball of a player is resting against the flagstick inside the hole, but is not inside of it, the competitor that had played before must remove the flagstick vertically. If the ball falls into the hole, it is considered as a "ball in", with no additional hits. If the ball has not fallen into the hole or if it has been moved, it must be placed in the edge of the hole, without any penalties.

 
The player cannot handle the flag and play a shot at the same time.

 
Penalty for breaching this rule is +1 kick to the player attending the flag and the player kicking.

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FIFG RULES COMMITTEE Chair
Javier de Ancizar