The Rules have grouped the specific areas you cannot improve into a single term – the Conditions Affecting the Stroke or CATS. The CATS are a group of five different areas relating to the player and ball that are off limits for certain prohibited actions. These are:

• The Lie of the ball. That is, the spot on which the ball is at rest including any growing or attached natural objects, or other permanent fixed objects touching the ball or right next to it. Loose objects, such as loose impediments and movable obstructions, are not part of the lie.

• The Area of Intended Stance. This is both where you will stand and the whole area that might affect how you position your body for the stroke.

• The Area of Intended Swing. This is the whole areathat might reasonably affect any part of your swing – the backswing, downswing or even your follow-through.

• The Line of Play. This is the line you intend the ball to go after a stroke. It extends a reasonable distance up above the ground and on either side of that intended line.

• The Relief Area. If you are taking relief, whether you’re taking free relief from an abnormal course condition or penalty relief for an unplayable ball, you can’t make improvements to the relief area you are about to use.