What happens if I accidentally move my ball while looking for it?

No penalty if you accidentally move your ball while searching for it — just put it back where it was. But if you kick it before you've even started looking, that's one penalty stroke under Rule 9.4b.

When there's no penalty

If you're already searching — sweeping your feet through long grass, shaking a bush, probing with a club — and the ball moves, you're fine. The Rules call that "accidental" even if your action was likely to move the ball. You simply replace it on its original spot. If you don't know the exact spot, estimate it using all the evidence: how you found it, whether it was visible, where it sat relative to the ground or growing things.

Replacing the ball correctly

Put the ball back exactly how you found it. If it was on, under, or against something immovable — a cart path, a boundary stake, a tree root — replace it right there against that object. If it was buried in sand, recreate the original lie; you can leave a tiny bit of the ball showing. Don't deliberately clear loose impediments before replacing it (Rule 15.1a).

When the search pauses

If you stop searching because another group is playing through or play gets suspended, and you accidentally move the ball while stepping aside or leaving the area, there's still no penalty. The search was only paused by something outside your control. But if you're just walking toward the area before you've started looking, and you kick the ball — that's a penalty stroke.

Exceptions that change the answer

• You cause the ball to move before you begin searching for it → One penalty stroke under Rule 9.4b, and you must replace the ball
• You deliberately move the ball or remove loose impediments before replacing it → General penalty (two strokes in stroke play, loss of hole in match play)

Frequently asked questions

I stepped on my ball in deep rough while looking for it. Penalty?

No penalty. Stepping on the ball during search counts as accidental movement. Estimate the original spot as best you can and replace the ball there.

My ball was buried in a bunker and I moved it while probing with my club. What now?

No penalty. Recreate the original lie in the sand and replace the ball. You may leave a small part of the ball visible.

I kicked my ball while walking to the area where I think it landed. Is that a penalty?

Yes, one stroke. You hadn't started searching yet — walking to the area doesn't count as "trying to find" the ball. Replace it and add the penalty.

We stopped searching to let a faster group play through. I accidentally moved my ball while stepping aside. Penalty?

No penalty. The search was temporarily stopped by circumstances outside your control, so Rule 7.4 still protects you.

How do I know the exact spot to replace the ball if I didn't see it move?

Use all reasonably available evidence: how the ball was found (stepped on, kicked, probed), whether it was visible, and its position relative to the ground or growing objects. Make your best estimate.