Rules: Can a player be penalized 26 strokes?

The situation is you are playing lift clean and place.  You do it the customary method of using one club length; however, you didn't read the tournament rules sheet where it specifically says within twelve inches.

You discover the infraction after finishing the 13th hole.

What's the ruling?

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Rules: The Damn Critter Moved My Ball!!

Remember the situation at TPC Sawgrass in 1998 at the 17th island green where a seagull picked up Steve Lowery's ball off the 17th green and flew off with it (only to drop it in the water)?

Well guess what.  A similar situation happened to one of PCGC members.

At our 2010 TOC at Eagle Vines, Brian Ungaretti hit his tee shot in the fairway.  Then out of the woods came a coyote who moved Brian's ball at least 30 yards before dropping it and moving on.

What's the ruling?

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Rules: Brush Aside Casual Water on the Green

May a player whose ball lies on a putting green brush aside casual water on his line of putt, or mop it up with a towel?

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Rules: Hitting a Flagstick

Generally, the player's ball must not strike the flagstick when removed from the hole (Rule 17-3).

What is the ruling in the following situations:

(a) A player putts too strongly and his ball strikes the flagstick which has been removed by someone in his match or group and placed on the ground behind the hole.

(b) A player plays his second shot to the green and the ball strikes the flagstick, which had been blown down by the wind and was lying on the ground.

(c) A player, not believing he can reach the green which is occupied by the match or group ahead of him, plays his second shot at a par-5 hole and the ball rolls onto the green and strikes the flagstick which has been removed from the hole and placed on the ground by someone in the match or group ahead.

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