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Rule 9

Ball moved

Also searched as: ball moves, ball rolled, ball oscillates, accidentally moved ball

A ball at rest has moved when it leaves its spot and comes to rest on another spot, and this can be seen by the naked eye. Oscillating does not count.

Whether the ball moved and what caused it is decided on what is known or virtually certain. If it is unclear whether you caused it, it is treated as moved by natural forces.

Step by step

  1. 1Natural forces, such as wind. No penalty. Play the ball from its new spot. Exception on the putting green: if the ball had already been lifted and replaced, you replace it.
  2. 2You. One penalty stroke and you replace the ball. There is no penalty while searching, on the putting green, or while applying a Rule.
  3. 3Someone else or an animal. No penalty. The ball is replaced.