What happens if I accidentally move my ball while marking or lifting it?

No penalty — off the putting green. If you accidentally move your ball while marking, lifting, or replacing it when allowed to do so, Rule 9.4b Exception 4 applies — just replace the ball on its original spot and play on. (On the green, the even broader Exception 3 covers any accidental movement; see ball moves on putting green.)

When the exception applies

Exception 4 to Rule 9.4b covers you anywhere on the course except the putting green. It applies when you're taking "reasonable actions" to mark the spot of your ball, lift it, or replace it under Rules 14.1 and 14.2. The word "while" matters: the protection lasts from the moment you start the action until you finish it. If the ball moves during that window, there's no penalty. This also covers removing a movable obstruction, restoring worsened conditions, taking relief under a Rule, or measuring under a Rule — but the most common case is exactly what you're asking about: marking, lifting, or replacing your ball. A similar mark-and-lift procedure applies when play is suspended — see what happens if I lift my ball when play is suspended.

What you must do

You have to replace the ball on its original spot. If you don't know the exact spot, you estimate it as best you can — that's Rule 14.2. Don't drop it, don't place it somewhere else. Put it back where it was (or where you honestly think it was) and carry on. If you play from the wrong spot because you didn't replace it correctly, that's the general penalty under Rule 14.7a: two strokes in stroke play, loss of hole in match play.

The putting green is different

On the putting green, Exception 3 is even broader. Any accidental movement of your ball on the green carries no penalty, no matter how it happened — you don't need to be marking or lifting at the time. Just replace it. Off the green, you need to be in the middle of one of those "reasonable actions" for Exception 4 to kick in.

Exceptions that change the answer

• You accidentally move the ball while marking, lifting, or replacing it under Rules 14.1 or 14.2 → No penalty. Replace the ball on its original spot (estimated if needed).
• The ball is on the putting green and you accidentally move it any way at all → No penalty under Exception 3 (Rule 13.1d). Replace it.
• You deliberately touch or rotate the ball without marking it first → One penalty stroke under Rule 9.4b, even if the ball doesn't move (Interpretation 9.4b/1).

Frequently asked questions

Do I get a penalty if my marker slips and moves the ball?

No. That's exactly what Exception 4 covers — accidental movement while marking the spot. Replace the ball on its original spot and play on with no penalty.

What if I can't find the exact original spot?

Estimate it as best you can and replace the ball there. Rule 14.2 says you use your best judgment — that's all the Rules ask.

Does this apply on the putting green too?

On the green, Exception 3 applies instead — it's even broader. Any accidental movement on the green carries no penalty, whether you're marking, lifting, or just standing there. Replace it and carry on.

What if I deliberately rotate my ball to line up the logo without marking first?

That's a one-stroke penalty under Rule 9.4b. Interpretation 9.4b/1 makes it clear: deliberately touching the ball without marking it first costs you a stroke, even if the ball stays in the same spot.

What counts as "reasonable actions" under Exception 4?

Marking the spot, lifting the ball, replacing the ball, removing a movable obstruction, restoring worsened conditions, taking relief (including checking for interference or finding the nearest point of complete relief), or measuring under a Rule — like deciding the order of play.