The "Eraser" Rule

14.5 - Correcting Mistake Made in Substituting, Replacing, Dropping or Placing Ball

This Rule can "erase" when a player has incorrectly substituted a ball, replaced, dropped, or placed a ball in a wrong way, a wrong place, or used the wrong procedure. 

What You Need to Know

1. The player may lift the ball without penalty and correct the mistake
   • BUT this is allowed only before the player makes the next stroke
   • The player does not count any penalty for actions taken related to that ball after the mistake and before it was lifted

Additional Information about this Rule

A player may change to a different rule or relief option when correcting their mistake

1. When the ball was put in play under a rule that did not apply to their situation
   • The player may use any Rule that applies to his or her situation
     
     
2. When ball was put in play under Rule that applied but ball was dropped or placed in wrong place
   • The player MUST go on to take relief under the same Rule but may use any relief option under that Rule that applies to his or her situation
     
     
3. When ball was put in play under Rule that applied and was dropped or placed in right place, but Rule requires the ball to be re-dropped or placed again
   • The player MUST go on to take relief using the same Rule and the same relief option under the Rule