Lesson 3: Loose Impediments and Obstructions
The golf course is full of things that are not part of the course itself — leaves, twigs, stones, pine cones, worm casts, and more. These are called loose impediments. You are generally allowed to remove them from near your ball, as long as you don’t move the ball itself in the process.
Then there are obstructions — man-made objects that are not part of the course, like rakes left in bunkers, sprinkler heads, cart paths, and distance markers. Movable obstructions can be moved. Immovable obstructions cannot — but you get relief from them without penalty.
Understanding the difference between loose impediments, movable obstructions, and immovable obstructions saves strokes and prevents confusion.
When you are unsure, the rule is: ask before touching. Touching the wrong thing in the wrong way can be a penalty.
Rule: Loose impediments (natural objects) can usually be removed from near your ball without penalty. Immovable obstructions (cart paths, sprinkler heads) give you free relief — drop within one club-length of the nearest point of relief.
Why do you think natural objects like leaves and twigs can be moved, but trees and rocks that are embedded in the ground cannot? What is the logic behind the distinction?
Walk a hole with your parent and find as many loose impediments and obstructions as possible. Sort them into categories: (1) loose impediments I can move, (2) movable obstructions I can move, (3) immovable obstructions that give me free relief. Make a photo or sketch of one example from each category and label them in your golf journal.