What happens if another player moves your ball?

The situation

You're searching for your ball in the rough and a playing partner accidentally kicks it while walking past. Or they move it thinking it was their own ball.

The rule

Under Rule 9.6, if another player accidentally moves your ball at rest, neither player incurs a penalty. The ball must be replaced in its original position. This applies whether the movement happened during normal play, searching, or even if the other player mistakenly played your ball thinking it was theirs (in that case, separate rules about wrong ball apply to them).

Real example

Your caddie is in the rough looking for your ball and accidentally steps on it, pressing it into the turf. No penalty to anyone — you pull the ball out, replace it above ground in its original spot (estimating the position if needed), and play on.

What to do on the course

• Replace the ball in the original position (or your best estimate)
• Neither you nor the other player gets a penalty stroke
• If the position is unclear after being accidentally moved, place it where it most likely was
• If another player deliberately moved your ball to improve or worsen your position, report it to the committee — that's a different and more serious situation

Penalty

No penalty to either player for an accidental movement.