To support the principle of "play the course as you find it," this Rule restricts what a player may do to improve any of these protected "conditions affecting the stroke" (anywhere on or off the course) for the next stroke the player will make:

• The lie of the player's ball at rest,
• The area of the player's intended stance,
• The area of the player's intended swing,
• The player's line of play, and
• The relief area where the player will drop or place a ball.

This Rule applies to actions taken both during a round and while play is stopped under Rule 5.7a.

It does not apply to:

• The removal of loose impediments or movable obstructions, which is allowed to the extent provided in Rule 15, or
• An action taken while a player's ball is in motion, which is covered by Rule 11.

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