Can I make a mark in the sand or dew to help my swing?

Yes, it's a penalty. If you make a mark in the sand or dew to help you aim, take your stance, or swing, you get the general penalty — two strokes in stroke play, loss of hole in match play (Rule 10.2b(3)).

What the rule actually says

Rule 10.2b(3) is short and blunt: you must not set an object down or make a mark to help with aiming, taking your stance, or making your swing. The rule doesn't distinguish between a tee, a club, a footprint, or a line drawn in the dew — if you put it there to help you, it's a breach. The penalty is the general penalty, which means two strokes in stroke play or loss of hole in match play.

Why it matters in a bunker

Bunkers are where this comes up most. You see your ball sitting down, you want a reference for your feet or your swing path, so you scuff a line with your foot or press the butt of your club into the sand. That's exactly what the rule forbids. The sand is part of the challenge; you're not allowed to engineer a cheat sheet out of it. Same goes for morning dew on the fairway — drawing a line with your shoe to square up is the same offence.

What you can do instead

You can still pick a natural spot — a different patch of grass, a divot, a discoloration — and use that to align yourself. You just can't create the mark. You can also visualise your line, take your grip, and set up without any manufactured reference. If you accidentally kick sand or brush dew while taking your stance normally, that's fine; the rule only bites when the mark is made to help.

Exceptions that change the answer

• You make a mark without intending to help your aim, stance, or swing → No penalty — the rule only applies when the mark is made for that purpose.
• You smooth the sand after making a mark but before making the stroke → Still a penalty — the breach occurs the moment you set the mark down for help; fixing it afterwards doesn't undo it.

Frequently asked questions

Can I draw a line in the dew on the fairway to line up my shot?

No. Making any mark in dew, grass, or sand to help you aim or swing is a breach of Rule 10.2b(3) and costs the general penalty — two strokes or loss of hole.

What if I scuff a line in the bunker with my foot just to see how soft the sand is?

If you genuinely do it only to test the sand and not to help your stance or swing, there's no penalty. But if you then use that line to set up, you've breached the rule.

Can my caddie make a mark for me?

No. If your caddie sets an object or makes a mark to help you aim, stance, or swing, you get the penalty. The rule covers anything done by you or your caddie.

Is it a penalty if I accidentally kick a mark into the sand while walking in?

No. The rule requires intent — you must make the mark to help with aim, stance, or swing. An accidental scuff mark isn't a breach.

What's the exact penalty in a Stableford competition?

General penalty still applies — you deduct two points from your score for that hole (equivalent to two strokes in stroke play).