A ball is unfit for play ( ball broken ) if it is visibly nicked, battered or deformed.
A ball is not unplayable merely because dirt or other substances are stuck to it, because it is scuffed or scratched, or because the color is damaged or stained.
If a player has reason to believe that his ball is broken or has become unplayable while playing the hole to be played, he may pick it up without penalty in order to decide whether it is unplayable.
Before picking up the ball, the player must announce his intention to do so to his opponent in hole play or his counter or a competitor in counting play and mark the position of the ball. He may then pick up and check the ball, provided that he gives the counter or competitor the opportunity to check the ball and to observe it being picked up and put back.
The ball may not be cleaned if it has been picked up in accordance with Rule 5-3.
If the player fails to follow this procedure in whole or in part, or if he picks up the ball in the unfounded belief that it has become unplayable during play on the hole played, he shall incur a penalty stroke.
If it is decided that the ball became unplayable while playing the hole to be played, the player may use another ball and place it in the position where the original ball was lying.
Otherwise, the original ball must be put back.
If a player illegally replaces a ball with another ball and takes a stroke after the incorrectly replaced ball, he shall incur the basic penalty for a breach of Rule 5-3, but no further penalty under this Rule or Rule 15-2.
If a ball bounces in pieces as a result of a stroke, the stroke shall be nullified and the player shall play a ball as close as possible to the place where the original ball was played without penalty (see Rule 20-5).
*PENALTY FOR BREACH OF RULE 5-3:
Hole play - Hole loss
Counting game - two strokes
*If a player incurs the basic penalty for breach of Rule 5-3, no additional penalty is added under this rule.
Note 1: If the opponent, scorer or competitor wishes to dispute a claim for an unplayable ball, this must be done before the player plays another ball.
Note 2: If the original position of a ball to be put down or put back has been changed, see Rule 20-3b. (Cleaning a ball picked up from the green or under another rule - see Rule 21).
Status: 2018