What happens if your golf ball moves before you hit it?
I · Intermediate · The ball in play · 7 of 16If a ball at rest is moved by wind, water or gravity, it is played from where it stops, with no penalty. If the player or caddie moves it, it is put back with one penalty stroke. If anyone or anything else moves it, it is put back with no penalty. The putting green is kinder.
How it works
| Moved by | What to do | Penalty |
|---|---|---|
| Natural forces: wind, water, gravity | Play it from the new spot | None |
| The player or the player's caddie | Replace it | One stroke |
| The opponent, in match play | Replace it | One stroke to the opponent |
| An outside influence: another player in stroke play, a spectator, an animal, another ball | Replace it | None |
- A ball has "moved" only if it has left its spot and come to rest somewhere else. A ball that wobbles and settles back has not moved.
- The player, the opponent or an outside influence is treated as the cause only if that is known or virtually certain, which means at least 95% likely. If not, natural forces are taken to be the cause.
No penalty to the player for moving the ball by accident:
- On the putting green, however it happens.
- While searching for it or identifying it.
- While marking, lifting or replacing it, removing a movable obstruction, taking relief or measuring.
- In the teeing area, before or after a stroke.
Two cases where a ball moved by natural forces must be put back:
- On the putting green, if the ball had already been lifted and replaced.
- Anywhere, if a ball that was dropped, placed or replaced then rolls into another area of the course or out of bounds.
If a ball starts to move after the player has begun the backswing and the stroke is made, the stroke counts and the ball is played from where it finishes.
Tricky cases
The ball rolled as the player got ready to hit it on the fairway. Is that a penalty?
It depends on the cause. If it is known or virtually certain that the player caused it, the ball is replaced with one penalty stroke. If not, it is treated as moved by natural forces and played from where it stopped.
A player kicked the ball by accident on the putting green. Is there a penalty?
No. The ball is put back and there is no penalty.
A bird picked the ball up and flew off with it. What now?
No penalty. If it is known or virtually certain that happened, a ball is placed on the original spot. Another ball may be used when the original cannot be recovered.
Why the rule exists
The player is responsible for their own ball and nobody else's actions. So the only moved ball that costs a stroke is one the player, or an opponent, has moved.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Rules of Golf | As above | G 9; G 13.1d |
| Putting green | No penalty for an accidental movement | G 13.1d |
From the rule book
The R&A and USGA Rules of Golf, Rules 6.2b, 7.4, 9, 13.1d and 14.2a, and the Definitions of moved and known or virtually certain. Effective January 2023. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: Rules of Golf (PDF).