In preparing for or making a stroke, a player may take any of these actions and there is no penalty even if doing so improves the conditions affecting the stroke:

(1) Fairly search for their ball by taking reasonable actions to find and identify it (See Rule 7.1a).

(2) Take reasonable actions to remove loose impediments (See Rule 15.1) and movable obstructions (See Rule 15.2).

(3) Take reasonable actions to mark the spot of a ball and to lift and replace the ball under Rules 14.1 and 14.2.

(4) Ground the club lightly right in front of or right behind the ball. "Ground the club lightly" means allowing the weight of the club to be supported by the grass, soil, sand or other material on or above the ground surface.

But this does not allow:

• Pressing the club on the ground, or
• When a ball is in a bunker, touching the sand right in front of or right behind the ball (See Rule 12.2b(1)).

(5) Firmly place the feet in taking a stance, including a reasonable amount of digging in with the feet in sand or loose soil.

(6) Fairly take a stance by taking reasonable actions to get to the ball and take a stance.

But when doing so the player:

• Is not entitled to a normal stance or swing, and
• Must use the least intrusive course of action to deal with the particular situation.

(7) Make a stroke or the backswing for a stroke which is then made.

But when the ball is in a bunker, touching the sand in the bunker in taking the backswing is not allowed under Rule 12.2b(1).

(8) In the teeing area:

• Place a tee in or on the ground (See Rule 6.2b(2)),
• Move, bend or break any growing or attached natural object (See Rule 6.2b(3)), and
• Alter the surface of the ground, remove or press down sand and soil, or remove dew, frost or water (See Rule 6.2b(3)).

(9) In a bunker, smooth sand to care for the course after a ball played from the bunker is outside the bunker (See Rule 12.2b(3)).

(10) On the putting green, remove sand and loose soil and repair damage (See Rule 13.1c).

(11) Move a natural object to see if it is loose.

But if the object is found to be growing or attached, it must stay attached and be returned as nearly as possible to its original position.

See Rule 25.4g (modification of Rule 8.1b(5) in taking a stance for players who use an assistive mobility device).

---

Click to view full USGA Explanation