lift, clean and place

Question
What is the meaning of the term "lift, clean and place"?

Answer
Hi Charles,

Under the normal rules of golf, the golfer must always play the ball as it lies without making any improvement to its lie.

Under certain conditions (usually quite wet ones), a golf course or rules committee can modify the rules to "lift, clean and place." This means your can mark your ball (place a tee into the ground right behind the ball), then lift the ball, clean the ball and then place it back withing 6 inches of the original position, no closer to the hole. This applies "through the green" which means anywhere except in a hazard.

During very wet conditions, sometimes mud can adhere to the ball. Mud on the golf ball can significantly affect its flight. Plus, the ball can be very wet which affects the contact between the club and ball.

Some committees choose to play "lift, clean and place" only on the cut portion of the fairway of the hole being played. So, if you're in the rough, there is no improvement.

Hope this helps.
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Best regards,
Ken Tannar