Except when a ball is in motion, if a player believes a ball may assist any other player (ball assists play), he may
a) pick up the ball if it is his, or
b) allow any other ball to be picked up.
A ball picked up under this rule must be put back (see Law 20-3). The ball may not be cleaned up unless it was on the green (see Rule 21).
In counting play, a player who is asked to pick up his ball may play first instead. In stroke play, if it is determined by the match officials that competitors have agreed not to pick up a ball that could assist any other competitor, they are disqualified.
Status: 2018
