When can a ball be cleaned during play of the hole?A ball can always be cleaned when it is lifted from the putting green (don’t forget to mark the ball before lifting it!) and when lifted from anywhere else except when it is lifted:
• To see if it is cut or cracked—cleaning is not allowed (Rule 4.2c(1))
• To identify it—cleaning is allowed only as needed to identify it (Rule 7.3)
• Because it interferes with play—cleaning is not allowed (Rule 15.3b(2)
• To see if it lies in a condition where relief is allowed—cleaning is not allowed, unless the player then takes relief under a Rule (Rule 16.4)
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