12-1. Searching for Ball; Seeing Ball
In searching for his ball anywhere on the course, the player
may touch or bend long grass, rushes, bushes, whins, heather
or the like, but only to the extent necessary to find and identify
it, provided that this does not improve the lie of the ball, the
area of his intended stance or swing or his line of play.
A player is not necessarily entitled to see his ball when making
a stroke.
In a hazard, if a ball is believed to be covered by loose
impediments or sand, the player may remove by probing or
raking with a club or otherwise, as many loose impediments or
as much sand as will enable him to see a part of the ball. If an
excess is removed, there is no penalty and the ball must be recovered
so that only a part of it is visible. If the ball is moved
during the removal, there is no penalty; the ball must be
replaced and, if necessary, re-covered. As to removal of loose
impediments outside a hazard, see Rule 23.
If a ball lying in an abnormal ground condition is accidentally
moved during search, there is no penalty; the ball must be
replaced, unless the player elects to proceed under Rule 25-1b.
If the player replaces the ball, he may still proceed under Rule
25-1b if applicable.
If a ball is believed to be lying in water in a water hazard, the
player may probe for it with a club or otherwise. If the ball is
moved in probing, it must be replaced, unless the player elects
to proceed under Rule 26-1. There is no penalty for causing
the ball to move provided the movement of the ball was
directly attributable to the specific act of probing. Otherwise,
the player incurs a penalty stroke under Rule 18-2a.

12-2. Identifying Ball
The responsibility for playing the proper ball rests with
the player. Each player should put an identification mark on
his ball.
Except in a hazard, if a player has reason to believe a ball is
his, he may lift the ball without penalty to identify it.
Before lifting the ball, the player must announce his intention
to his opponent in match play or his marker or a fellowcompetitor
in stroke play and mark the position of the ball.
He may then lift the ball and identify it provided that he gives
his opponent, marker or fellow-competitor an opportunity to
observe the lifting and replacement. The ball must not be
cleaned beyond the extent necessary for identification when
lifted under Rule 12-2. If the player fails to comply with all
or any part of this procedure, or if he lifts his ball for
identification in a hazard, he incurs a penalty of one stroke.
If the lifted ball is the player’s ball he must replace it. If he fails
to do so, he incurs the general penalty for a breach of Rule
12-2, but there is no additional penalty under this Rule.

*If a player incurs the general penalty for a breach of Rule
12-2, there is no additional penalty under this Rule.