Accidental Ball Movement

Ball Accidentally Moved (After Coming to Rest) – These are the main rules, which cover 95%+ of situations encountered

-              If a ball is moved by natural forces (i.e. wind, water, gravity) after coming to rest, it is played in the new location, with the following exceptions:

o   A ball that has been marked on the putting green is moved back to its original location

o   A ball that has been dropped, but then rolls to a different area (i.e. from the general area to a penalty area) of the course is moved back to its original location (this mainly to prevent a second penalty if a ball has been dropped out of a penalty area and then the wind or gravity causes it to roll back in)

-              If you accidentally move your ball on the tee box, it is replaced with no penalty.

-              If you accidentally move your ball on the putting green, it must be replaced without penalty. If you don’t replace the ball, it is a two stroke penalty.

-              If you accidentally move the ball in the general area (fairway, rough), you must replace to its original spot and take a one stroke penalty. There is no exception for “I was taking a practice swing.” If you don’t replace the ball to its original position, it is a two stroke penalty.

-              If your ball is moved anywhere by an “outside agency,’ such as an animal, another player’s ball, a cart running over it, etc. you place (not drop) it on the location estimated before it was moved without penalty.  Note that in match play, your opponent will get a stroke penalty if they accidentally move your ball.