23-1. Relief
Except when both the loose impediment and the ball lie in or
touch the same hazard, any loose impediment may be removed
without penalty.
If the ball lies anywhere other than on the putting green and
the removal of a loose impediment by the player causes the
ball to move, Rule 18-2a applies.
On the putting green, if the ball or ball-marker moves in the
process of the player removing any loose impediment, the ball
or ball-marker must be replaced. There is no penalty provided
the movement of the ball or ball-marker is directly attributable
to the removal of the loose impediment. Otherwise, if the
player causes the ball to move, he incurs a penalty of one
stroke under Rule 18-2a.
When a ball is in motion, a loose impediment that might
influence the movement of the ball must not be removed.
Note: If the ball lies in a hazard, the player must not touch or
move any loose impediment lying in or touching the same
hazard – see Rule 13-4c.