Which of the following actions does NOT incur a penalty in golf?

In golf, understanding the rules around various actions is crucial for maintaining fair play and ensuring that penalties are avoided. The action that does not incur a penalty is playing a provisional ball.

When a player suspects their ball may be lost or out of bounds, they are allowed to play a provisional ball under the Rules of Golf without incurring a penalty. This is a strategic move that helps to keep the game flowing and reduces the time it takes to search for a potentially lost ball. If the original ball is found within the appropriate time limit and is not in a condition that incurs a penalty (like being in a different penalty area), the player can continue play with that ball instead of the provisional.

In contrast, removing sand from behind the ball, identifying a found ball, and removing dew from the line of a putt can all incur penalties under specific conditions, making the option of playing a provisional ball the only action in this scenario that is penalty-free. Understanding these rules helps players manage their game effectively while adhering to the established guidelines.