Procedure for identifying the ball

Can the ball be picked up for identification purposes and by whom? Counter or player?

Answer:
In principle, only the player can identify his ball and not the counter or any other player

Under the "OLD RULE" the player had to give his counter or competitor the opportunity to be present for identification.

What is new is that the player can/may identify his ball at any time if necessary and the player no longer has to inform his counter or competitor about this process.

See rule 7.3
If a ball could be a player's ball but cannot be identified as it lies, the player may pick up the ball.
-the player may pick up the ball to identify it (including by spinning it), but
-the location of the ball must be marked first and the ball must not be cleaned more than necessary for identification (except on the green), see Rule 14.1.
If the ball picked up is the player's ball or another player's ball, it must be returned to its original position (see Rule 14.2).

If the player picks up his ball for identification under this rule when it is not reasonably required (except on the green where the player is allowed to pick up the ball under Rule 13.1b), fails to mark the spot before picking it up or cleans the ball when it is not allowed, he incurs a penalty stroke.
penalty stroke.

Penalty for playing an incorrectly re-placed ball or playing the ball in the wrong place in violation of Rule

7.3: Basic penalty according to Rule 6.3b or 14.7a.
If several offences result from a single action or from several related actions, see Rule 1.3c(4).


In the meantime, if you would like to know more about the Rules of Golf, please contact me directly at hans.kienesberger@golf.at.