rules
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The latest in our series of situations encountered by everyday golfers (and the pros), and what the correct procedures are
When a seasoned professional, and his peers, have 'never heard of a particular rule in their life' and are penalised two shots for breaching it, while contesting the lead in a DP World Tour event, you need to wonder if things have gone too far.
Shaun Norris was assessed a two-shot penalty for kicking away a divot at the 382-yard, par-four 5th hole at the DP World Tour's Nexo Championship at Trump International Golf Links in Aberdeenshire.
Norris, who was tied for the lead at the time, drove his tee shot down the fairway. He then walked up to the ball and took his address for his second shot. He then backed away from the shot and kicked away the divot he had been standing on.
An hour later the South African was informed by a rules official that he had breached the rules at the 5th hole and his par became a double bogey.
THE RUMPUS
Why is kicking a divot a breach of the rules? Because it improved the conditions affecting the stroke. Had Norris kicked a divot rolling around on the fairway, unrelated to his intended stance or area of intended swing, there would have been no issue. But the divot was under his foot. That can be seen as deliberately improving the area of his stance. Improving conditions affecting the stroke carries the general penalty – two strokes in stroke play, loss of hole in match play (Rule 8.1a(3)).
Some argue that a divot detached from the ground is a loose impediment. A loose impediment is any unattached natural object, and it may be removed in any way anywhere on or off the course (Rule 15.1). Removing a loose impediment such as pine needles or fallen leaves, or a movable obstruction, in the area of intended swing is also not subject to the restrictions of Rule 8.1a(3).
But a divot that has been replaced in a divot hole is not treated as a loose impediment, even though it is not yet attached or growing. Pressing down, removing or repositioning a divot that has already been filled back into place amounts to improving the conditions affecting the stroke.
Conversely, if a divot has been detached in the area of intended swing, putting it back in place is also a breach of the rules for improving the conditions affecting the stroke.
THE RULE
Rule 8 (Course Played as It Is Found)
8.1a(3) Actions That Are Not Allowed
Alter the surface of the ground, including by:
- Replacing divots in a divot hole,
- Removing or pressing down divots that have already been replaced or other cut turf that is already in place, or
- Creating or eliminating holes, indentations or uneven surfaces.
Note, for full explanations see the R&A rulebook HERE
WHAT NORRIS SAID
'The divot wasn't placed properly and when I stood on top of it, it was definitely really pushing up against my foot,' Norris said. 'So it made me very uncomfortable. But when I kicked the divot away, I saw it as a loose impediment because the divot wasn't placed properly. I didn't think anything of it.
'But when the official came to me on the ninth hole and asked me about it, it made me start thinking: 'What's going on?' I've never heard of the rule in 30 years of playing on tour.
'But I think a lot of players over the years may have mistakenly done something similar without knowing, but it's never been caught because nobody knew about it or nobody pointed that out. I've never heard of it in my life. All my peers and players out here – there's not one of us that's seen or heard about that rule.'
WIN!
Stand a chance to win a COBRA putter. Simply select the correct answer to this question and you'll go into the draw for this fantastic giveaway.
Question:
In a singles match, a player concedes their opponent's next stroke, picks up the opponent's ball and rolls it to them along the putting surface. The player did so out of courtesy, for the purpose of returning the ball to their opponent.
What is the ruling?
a) There is no penalty
b) The player gets one penalty stroke
c) The player gets two penalty strokes
25 October 2026
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