Can I lift my ball to check if I get free relief?

Yes, you can lift your ball to check if free relief is allowed, but only if you genuinely think it might be in a condition covered by Rules 15.2, 16.1, or 16.3. You must mark the spot first and you cannot clean the ball (except on the green). If you lift without that reasonable belief, it's a one-stroke penalty.

The three conditions that let you lift to check

Rule 16.4 permits lifting only when you reasonably believe your ball lies in one of these specific situations where free relief exists:

• Abnormal course condition (Rule 16.1) — temporary water, ground under repair, immovable obstruction, animal hole
• Dangerous animal condition (Rule 16.2) — snake, alligator, fire ants, etc.
• Embedded ball (Rule 16.3) — ball in its own pitch mark in the general area

A hunch isn't enough; you need a real basis for thinking one of these applies. If you lift just to see if the lie is good or to identify your ball, that's not covered here and you'll get a penalty stroke.

When you're allowed to lift

You can only lift under Rule 16.4 when you reasonably believe your ball lies in a condition where free relief is available — that means an abnormal course condition (Rule 16.1), a dangerous animal condition (Rule 16.2), or an embedded ball (Rule 16.3). A hunch isn't enough; you need a real basis for thinking relief might apply. If you lift just to see if the lie is good or to identify your ball, that's not covered here and you'll get a penalty stroke.

The procedure: mark first, don't clean

Before the ball leaves the ground, you must mark its spot with a ball-marker or tee. Skip this step and it's a one-stroke penalty if relief isn't allowed or you don't take it. Once lifted, you cannot clean the ball — wipe off mud, grass, whatever — unless you're on the putting green. That restriction exists so you don't improve the ball's condition before deciding on relief. On the green, Rule 13.1b lets you lift and clean anytime anyway.

What happens after you lift

If relief is allowed and you take it, you're clean — no penalty even if you forgot to mark or cleaned the ball when you shouldn't have. The slate wipes clean because you're proceeding under the relief rule. But if relief isn't allowed, or you decide not to take it, you must replace the ball on its original spot. You'll add one penalty stroke if you didn't mark before lifting or if you cleaned the ball when not permitted. Play from the wrong spot after any of this and it's the general penalty: two strokes in stroke play, loss of hole in match play.

Exceptions that change the answer

• On the putting green → You may lift under Rule 13.1b without needing a reasonable belief that relief is available, and you may clean the ball.
• Relief is allowed and you take it → No penalty for failing to mark the spot or for cleaning the lifted ball, even if you cleaned it when not allowed.

Frequently asked questions

Can I clean my ball when I lift it to check for relief?

No, not unless you're on the putting green. Anywhere else — fairway, rough, bunker — the ball must not be cleaned when lifted under Rule 16.4. Clean it anyway and you'll get a penalty stroke if relief isn't allowed or you don't take it.

What if I lift my ball but then decide not to take relief?

You must replace the ball on its original spot. If you marked it before lifting and didn't clean it, there's no penalty. If you skipped the mark or cleaned the ball, you add one penalty stroke.

Do I have to mark the ball before lifting it?

Yes, the spot must be marked first. If you lift without marking and relief isn't allowed (or you don't take it), that's a one-stroke penalty. If you do take relief, the missed mark is forgiven.

What if I'm on the putting green?

Different rule applies. On the green you can lift anytime under Rule 13.1b — no reasonable belief needed — and you can clean the ball. Rule 16.4 doesn't restrict you there.

What's the penalty if I play from the wrong spot after lifting?

General penalty: two strokes in stroke play, loss of hole in match play. That's on top of any one-stroke penalty you already incurred for lifting incorrectly.