What happens if another player moves your ball?
No penalty — if another player accidentally moves your ball at rest, you simply replace it in its original spot under Rule 9.6. Neither player incurs a penalty stroke, and this applies whether the movement happened during search, normal play, or because they mistook it for their own 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.
What if you accidentally move another player's ball?
The same rule works in reverse. If you accidentally move a fellow player's ball at rest, there's no penalty to either of you — you simply replace their ball on its original spot (or your best estimate) under Rule 9.6. This applies everywhere on the course, including the putting green. The only difference is that on the green, you'd mark the spot first if the ball isn't already marked.
Frequently asked questions
What if someone kicks my ball while looking for it in the rough?
No penalty to anyone. Under Rule 9.6, you replace the ball on its original spot (or your best estimate if the exact position is unclear) and play on. The accidental movement during search is treated the same as any other accidental movement by another player.
What happens if another player hits my ball thinking it was theirs?
Your ball gets replaced without penalty to you under Rule 9.6. The other player proceeds under the wrong ball rules (Rule 6.3c) for their own stroke, but your ball is simply restored to its original position as if the accidental movement never happened.
Do I get a penalty stroke if my playing partner accidentally moves my ball?
No. Rule 9.6 explicitly states there is no penalty to either player when another player accidentally moves your ball at rest. You replace the ball and continue play with no strokes added to your score.
What if the ball's exact original spot isn't clear after being moved?
You must place the ball on the spot where it most likely lay, using your best judgment. Rule 14.2c requires you to replace it on the estimated original spot when the exact location is unknown, and this estimate is accepted without penalty.
What happens if someone deliberately moves my ball to help or hurt me?
That is no longer an accidental movement under Rule 9.6 — it becomes a serious breach. You must report it to the committee, who will investigate and can impose disqualification or other penalties under Rule 1.2a for deliberate interference with another player's ball.
What if I lift my ball thinking it might interfere with another player?
That's a different situation entirely. If you lift your own ball because you think it might be in another player's way — but they haven't asked you to — you incur a one-stroke penalty under Rule 15.3b(2). The only exception is on the putting green, where Rule 13.1b lets you mark and lift anytime. See penalty for lifting ball when not required by other player.
What if I accidentally move another player's ball?
No penalty to either player. Under Rule 9.6, you replace their ball on its original spot (or your best estimate) and play continues. This applies everywhere, including the putting green — just mark the spot first if the ball wasn't already marked.
Does Rule 9.6 apply on the putting green too?
Yes. If another player accidentally moves your ball at rest on the green, there's no penalty and you replace it on the original spot. The only extra step: if the ball wasn't already marked, mark the estimated spot before replacing.
What if an animal or outside influence moves my ball, not another player?
That's Rule 9.3, not 9.6. If an outside influence (animal, spectator, cart) moves your ball at rest, there's still no penalty — but you must replace it on the original spot. If the ball isn't found, you may substitute another ball.
Does it matter if we're playing match play or stroke play?
No. Rule 9.6 applies identically in both formats. Accidental movement by another player never incurs a penalty in either match play or stroke play — just replace the ball and continue.