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Are You Allowed to Ground Your Club When Your Ball is in a Penalty Area?

Unsure what you are allowed to do when your ball lands in a penalty area? Marcela Smith covers the rule allowing you to ground your club, take practice swings, and remove loose impediments with complete confidence.

Published: Wednesday, 28 October 2026 at 9:38 PM
Are You Allowed to Ground Your Club When Your Ball is in a Penalty Area?
Key Things to Know
  • Golfers are permitted to ground their club and take practice swings without penalty inside a penalty area.
  • The rule allowing players to touch the ground in penalty areas has been in effect since 2019.
  • Players are allowed to remove loose impediments and movable obstructions from within a penalty area.
The Story in 60 Seconds

Golfers are permitted to ground their club and take practice swings without penalty when playing from a penalty area. Under the modernized rules of golf introduced in 2019, players no longer face a penalty stroke for touching the ground or water inside these designated relief areas before hitting their shot.

Instructor Marcela Smith notes that players may also remove loose impediments and movable obstructions from the penalty area. However, golfers must exercise caution during practice swings, as accidentally causing the ball to move results in a one-stroke penalty and requires the ball to be replaced.

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