I accidentally improved my lie by identifying my ball. What about now?

The Rules of Golf Are Complicated! Thankfully, we have the teacher. our Rules Guy knows the book inside out. Have a question? He has all the answers.

I hit the ball into a no-mow area with native grasses and weeds that twist and grow in all directions. After a short search, I found a ball a few inches down in the depth and moved the grass above the ball to identify it. I was careful not to move the ball, but the grass I split stayed where I moved it, giving me a clean look at the ball – probably improving my ability to swing the club through it all. My opponent said I shouldn’t move any more grass because I can’t improve my lie, but he left it at that. Should I have taken a penalty? – Peter Reiter, via email

You seem like a reasonable guy, Peter, and that’s the point. As long as the movement or bending of the grass was reasonable to find and identify the ball, there is no penalty even if you have improved the conditions that affect the stroke – most affected here, the lie and target swing area.

While Rule 8.1 protects those areas from movement, bending and breaking by growing objects, the Rule also provides an exception to allow you to search fairly by taking reasonable steps to locate and identify your ball. See rules 8.1b and 7.1a for details; offer not valid in Alaska or Hawaii (just kidding!).

For more guidance on lying from our teacher, read on…

If the local rule in effect says you can putt 6 inches in the fairway and my shot lands 1 inch in the fairway, can I putt that ball within 5 inches on the first cut if I prefer? Technically, that wouldn’t improve my lie since I’ve gone to a supposedly worse surface. – Wayne Mudgway, via email

Presumably, you are referring to the Preferred Lies Local Rule—Model Local Rule E-3. If so, yes, you can place the ball anywhere in the general area within the specified distance.

If you’ve been inclined to put the ball in the rough (“first cut”? Playing Augusta National?), that’s really your prerogative. The Rules Guy himself will admit that he is sometimes intimidated by the tight terrain, preferring the forgiveness of a lie on the launch pad.

Want to find the right accessory for your bag in 2026? Find a convenient club location near you at True Spec Golf.

Have a question about the Rules? Ask Guy Rules! Send your questions, confusion and comments to rulesguy@golf.com. We promise you won’t throw the book at you.