Golf Ball at Rest Moved: Official Rules, Procedures and Penalty Golflink.com

The Rules of Golf are simple, they say. Just play the ball as it lies, they say.

That’s a great theory, but it doesn’t take long for those crystal-clear Rules to become muddied. For example, how do you proceed when a ball at rest moves? To answer this question, we must answer another question first. What caused it to move? Depending on the answer to that question, we may next need to determine intent. Sounds exhausting, doesn't it? Don't worry, we're here to clarify exactly how to proceed in every scenario when your ball at rest moves.

Quick Reference: How To Proceed When Golf Ball at Rest Moves

If you need the quickest possible answer for how to proceed when your ball at rest moves (other than when you intentionally move it to mark it on the putting green or take relief under the Rules of Golf), use this table.

What Caused the Ball to Move?	Procedure	Penalty?
Natural Forces (wind, water, or something that happens for no apparent reason)	Play ball from the new spot	No penalty
Player (Or their partner, caddie or equipment)	Replace ball to its original spot (must be estimated if not known)	1 penalty stroke (exceptions for accidental movement: before ball is found; on putting green; off the putting green while applying a Rule.)
Opponent (Or their caddie or equipment) in match play	Replace ball to its original spot (must be estimated if not known)	1 penalty stroke to opponent (exceptions: ball was moved at player’s request; opponent is making a concession; opponent marks ball on putting green mistakenly believing it is their own; exceptions for accidental movement noted above.)
Outside Influence (including opponent in stroke play, animal, another ball in motion)	Replace ball to its original spot (must be estimated if not known)	No penalty

Ball Moved by Natural Forces

The Rules of Golf consider natural forces to be things like wind, water, or even something that happens for no reason at all. When natural forces cause your ball at rest to move, don’t fret, there’s no penalty, and you simply play the ball from its new spot.

Ball Moved by You (The Player)

If you cause your ball at rest to move, other than when making a stroke, you always replace the ball to its original position (where it was before you caused it to move). If you don’t know its original position, you must estimate it.

Unfortunately, you must also take a one stroke penalty, unless you meet one of the following exceptions:

You accidentally moved your ball before it was found
You accidentally moved your ball on the putting green
You accidentally moved your ball off of the putting green while proceeding under a Rule, such as taking relief or moving a movable obstruction

Your caddie or your partner in a team competition is essentially an extension of you as far as these rules are concerned, so follow these procedures if one of them moves your ball.

Ball Moved by Match Play Opponent

In stroke play, your opponent, or any other golfer, is considered to be an outside influence. In match play, however, your opponent has a completely different set of rules when it comes to moving your ball at rest.

First of all, determine why your opponent moved your ball, because the reason determines whether or not they get hit with a one stroke penalty.

If your opponent is making a concession, whether it be the hole or the entire match, there is no penalty for moving your ball. They also don’t get dinged with a penalty if they mistakenly think your ball is their own and mark it on the putting green. Your opponent is also exempt from a penalty stroke for the same accidental movements mentioned above, including moving the ball before it was found.

Unless your opponent is making a concession, replace the ball back to its original spot, which you must estimate if you don’t know.

Ball Moved by Outside Influence

It’s important to distinguish outside influences and natural forces, because when natural forces cause your ball to move, you play it as it lies, but when outside influences cause your ball to move, you must replace it with no penalty.

Any person (including players, officials and spectators) other than you, your caddie, your partner in a team event, or your opponent in match play and their caddie is considered to be an outside influence. Other outside influences include animals, other balls in motion, or anything else other than natural forces.

Moving On

The Rules of Golf can get confusing, but when your ball at rest moves, stay calm and ask yourself a couple questions. First, what caused it to move? Then determine if any of the penalty stroke exceptions apply, then follow the procedures and penalties outlined above.