I've got a problem

[gbower]

I'm in the darn bunker on the 9th hole and as usual have trouble getting out and end up on the fringe. I did get a lot of sand out of the bunker that mostly landed around my ball. I got my towel to sweep most of it away being careful not to move my ball. BC tells me I can't do what I'm doing but as I normally do I ignore him and continue cleaning my path to the hole. Am I correct in clearing most of the sand again or is BC correct telling me I can't clean away all of the sand?????

[Ginker]

Thats a good question.. You can do it on the green.. and with a towel as they changed that a couple years ago.. Interesed to hear the results..

[AAA]

Is this a hypo or a real live question ?

[faldo]

Surely this is no better than using a mower to make a path from the rough up to the green?

NO way Jose!

[NoBack]

Isnt the key to this "on the fringe"?

If you were on the green then you could sweep the sand away but becasue you are on the frindge you cant?

[gbower]

This is a hypothetical situation but could very well be a real problem. Trying to get some thinking going again.

[BC MIST]

. BC tells me I can't do what I'm doing but as I normally do I ignore him and continue cleaning my path to the hole.

You ignored what I said, just like everyone else does.

[Sakuraba]

You ignored what I said, just like everyone else does.

and as usual, you were right.

[jvincent]

Isnt the key to this "on the fringe"?

If you were on the green then you could sweep the sand away but becasue you are on the frindge you cant?

Correct. In the definition of "loose impediment" sand is only considered a loose impediment if it is on the putting surface.

[Big Johnny69]

Correct. In the definition of "loose impediment" sand is only considered a loose impediment if it is on the putting surface.

Even though you are on the fringe, are you not allowed to clear anything in your line on the green? Just don't touch anything on the fringe...correct?

[jvincent]

Correct, you can remove any impediments or repair ball marks that are on the green.

Just not the ones that are off the green since it constitutes improving your lie/intended line of play.

[Kiwi battler]

If BC had been the hacker emptying all the sand from the bunker and it ended up in your line "your ball on the fringe" then you could have swept the sand away

Otherwise he was right , you cannot remove the sand

[AAA]

Correct, you can remove any impediments or repair ball marks that are on the green.

Just not the ones that are off the green since it constitutes improving your lie/intended line of play.

No.
The significance of the question is that sand (and loose soil) is only a loose impediment when on the green. See the definition of LI
You may remove loose impediments from anywhere except when the ball and LI are in the same hazard. See Rule 23.

[jvincent]

Brain cramp on my part. I was still thinking about just the sand when I answered.

[Big Johnny69]

So I would be allowed to remove any sand between my ball and intended line of play even if the sand is on the fringe, as well as my ball?

This would make more sense as I've seen many pros removing loose impediments from all around their ball when their drive or shot has come to rest in the rough, pinestraw, wooded area, etc.

[jvincent]

If the sand is on the green it can be removed, but if the sand is on the fringe it cannot since the definition of a LI changes for sand.

A leaf or twig can always be removed, except in a bunker as AAA pointed out.

[gbower]

Read the definition of a loose impediment Geoff like AAA mentioned above. ;-)