Rule 23, which deals with “loose impediments”, is one of the most frequently used rules in our rural game. This is reason enough to explain it in more detail – especially as the new rules for 2004-2007 have introduced two new aspects which make this rule more simple for the player.
Firstly though, it is important to have a clear definition of the term, as only natural objects which are loose, i.e. those which are not growing or fixed, which are not adhering to the ball and which are not embedded, are deemed loose impediments.

As a player you are permitted to remove loose impediments without penalty, irrespective of whether they physically obstruct you (e.g. because they are next to your ball or on your line of putt) or whether you just feel that the fact that you can see them interferes with your game (e.g. a coloured leaf in your field of view). However you have to bear a few restrictions in mind.

1. When you remove the impediment the ball is not to move, otherwise you will incur a penalty and the ball has to be put back (an exception to this is on the green, where this is without penalty).
   For example, if a branch is lying right next to your ball it is therefore advisable to just play the ball as it lies instead of taking an unnecessary risk. It is also advisable not to touch anything on ground covered with trees or leaves, as leaves, branches and grass are often so intertwined that moving a single leaf could set off a chain reaction.
   
    
2. Sand and loose soil can be removed from the green, but not from anywhere else. Dew and frost are never classed as loose impediments.
   
    
3. Impediments are never to be removed from hazards (bunkers, water hazards). (However please bear the Local Rules in mind – most clubs specify that stones can be removed from bunkers as an exception.)

Two new aspects for 2004
1. It was previously the case that if a player removed a loose impediment within one club-length of the ball and the ball moved, he was automatically given one penalty stroke – irrespective of whether picking up the impediment, or a gust of wind, was responsible for moving the ball. This rule has been revoked and the player now only incurs a penalty stroke if the ball was moved as a direct consequence of removing the impediment, i.e. the player did actually cause the ball to move.
2. There used to be a remarkably detailed description of the manner in which the player was to remove loose impediments from the green - collect them up individually by hand or brush them to the side with the hand or a club. This description has been dispensed with and, for example, the player is now allowed to brush sand off his line of putt using a cap or a towel. However the player is still to make absolutely certain that nothing is pressed down when doing so.