Can I clean my ball when lifting to check for cuts?

No — when you lift your ball from anywhere except the putting green to check for cuts or cracks, cleaning is prohibited. Rule 14.1c lists this as the first of four specific situations where cleaning is restricted, and a one-stroke penalty applies if you clean it anyway.

What the rule says

When you lift your ball from anywhere except the putting green to see if it's cut or cracked, cleaning is not allowed. This comes straight from Rule 14.1c, which lists four specific situations where cleaning is restricted. Checking for damage is the first one. The rule references Rule 4.2c(1), which covers the procedure for determining if a ball is unfit for play. If you clean it anyway, you get one penalty stroke and must replace the ball.

Why the restriction exists

The restriction prevents players from improving the ball's condition while pretending to inspect it. Dirt, grass, or mud on the ball could hide a cut or crack, but it could also affect how the ball flies. The Rules want you to present the ball in its exact found condition so your marker or the committee can verify the damage. If you wipe it off first, you've destroyed the evidence.

What happens if you clean it anyway

You get one penalty stroke under Rule 14.1c. You must also replace the ball on its original spot (which you should have marked before lifting). The penalty applies even if the ball turns out to be perfectly fine — the act of cleaning when not permitted is the breach, regardless of the inspection outcome.

Exceptions that change the answer

• Ball is on the putting green → You may always clean it when lifted (Rule 13.1b).
• Lifting to identify the ball → Cleaning is allowed but only as much as needed to identify it (Rule 7.3).
• Lifting because the ball interferes with another player → Cleaning is not allowed (Rule 15.3b(2)).
• Lifting to see if relief is available → Cleaning is not allowed unless you actually take that relief (Rule 16.4).

Frequently asked questions

Can I wipe mud off my ball to see if there's a crack underneath?

No. If you're lifting to check for cuts or cracks, you cannot clean the ball at all — not even to see the surface better. Present it exactly as it lies.

What if I accidentally rub the ball on my towel while handing it to my caddie?

That counts as cleaning. Interpretation 14.1c/1 says even unintentional cleaning — like throwing the ball to your caddie who catches it with a towel — can breach the rule if debris comes off.

Do I have to mark the ball before lifting to check for cuts?

Yes. Rule 14.1a requires you to mark the spot before lifting any ball that must be replaced. Forgetting to mark it is a separate one-stroke penalty on top of any cleaning breach.

If the ball is cut, can I clean the new ball I put in play?

Yes. Once you've established the original ball is unfit for play under Rule 4.2c, you substitute another ball. That new ball can be cleaned before you put it into play.

Can my caddie lift the ball to check for cuts without asking me?

Only if it's on the putting green, or if it's reasonable to conclude you'll take relief. Otherwise, your caddie needs your authorization each time (Rule 14.1b). Unauthorized lift by the caddie is a one-stroke penalty.