Lift, clean and place.

Hi there !

I've been playing golf for over 35 years at a high amateur level.

When playins "prefered lies" in the fairways with the clean, lift and place procedure, I always marked my ball with a tee, cleaned it then replaced it within the lenth autorized.

Before I'm ready to play, I usually leave my tee in place in case my ball moves. I remove the tee before hitting my shot.

My question is the following : I was told that as soon as my fingers leave the ball, it's considered "in play". Is that right ? Is it a new procedure ? Is it a local rule ? What is that rule's number ?

Thank you in advance !

Bizzzer from Quebec :)

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My question is the following : I was told that as soon as my fingers leave the ball, it's considered "in play". Is that right ? Is it a new procedure ? Is it a local rule ? What is that rule's number ?

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No, it's not new. It's always been that way. Once a ball is dropped or placed, it is in play. It doesn't make any difference whether you have lifted the marker or not.

20-4. When Ball Dropped or Placed is in Play
If the player’s ball in play has been lifted, it is again in play when dropped or placed.

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Originally Posted by Bizzzer

Before I'm ready to play, I usually leave my tee in place in case my ball moves. I remove the tee before hitting my shot.:)

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AND, there is no need to be concerned about your ball moving as there is no penalty if you have not addressed it. When placing the ball I assume that you did so in such a manner that it would not move.

The same Rule applies when you drop a ball.

The ball is IN PLAY the moment it leaves your fingers from shoulder height. Not when it hits the ground or rolls to a stop after it hits the ground.