What happens if someone deliberately stops my ball in motion?

Yes, there's a penalty. If anyone deliberately deflects or stops a ball in motion, they get the general penalty — two strokes in stroke play or loss of hole in match play (Rule 11.2b). The ball must be replayed from where the stroke was made.

When this rule kicks in

Rule 11.2 only applies when it's known or virtually certain that a person deliberately deflected or stopped the ball. That means someone purposely touched the ball in motion, or the ball hit equipment, an object, or a person (like a caddie) that a player deliberately positioned or left in a spot so it might deflect or stop the ball. If it was accidental, Rule 11.1 applies instead — no penalty, play it as it lies.

What the penalty looks like

The player who deliberately deflected or stopped the ball gets the general penalty. In stroke play that's two strokes added to their score for the hole. In match play it's loss of hole. This applies whether it was their own ball, an opponent's ball, or another player's ball in stroke play. The stroke doesn't count — the ball must be replayed from where the original stroke was made.

The exceptions you need to know

There are three situations where Rule 11.2 doesn't apply or there's no penalty. First, in match play, if an opponent's ball is deliberately stopped when there's no reasonable chance it can be holed — and it's done as a concession or when the ball must be holed to tie the hole — that's covered by the concession rules (Rule 3.2), not Rule 11.2. Second, no penalty if a player lifts their ball moving in temporary water or a penalty area while taking relief under Rule 17. Third, if a player didn't initially position equipment to deflect the ball but later realizes it could help and deliberately leaves it there, that counts as deliberate deflection (Interpretation 11.2a/1).

Exceptions that change the answer

• Match play — opponent's ball deliberately stopped with no reasonable chance to be holed, done as a concession or to tie the hole → Covered by Rule 3.2 (concession rules), not Rule 11.2 — no penalty under this rule
• Player lifts their ball moving in temporary water or a penalty area while taking relief → No penalty — the ball is simply replaced and relief proceeds normally
• Player positions equipment without intent to deflect, then realizes it could help and deliberately leaves it → Counts as deliberate deflection — general penalty applies (Interpretation 11.2a/1)

Frequently asked questions

What if my ball hits my opponent's bag that they left near the green?

If your opponent deliberately left the bag there knowing it could stop your ball, they get the general penalty (two strokes or loss of hole) and you replay the stroke. If they genuinely didn't realize it could help, it's accidental — no penalty, play it as it lies.

Can I concede a putt after my opponent's ball is already moving?

Yes. In match play, if you deliberately stop an opponent's ball in motion when there's no reasonable chance it can be holed, and you're doing it as a concession, Rule 3.2 applies instead of Rule 11.2 — no penalty, the hole is conceded.

What if I accidentally kick my own ball while it's rolling?

That's not deliberate — Rule 11.1 applies. No penalty to anyone, play the ball where it comes to rest. Rule 11.2 only triggers when the deflection is intentional.

Does it matter whose ball was deflected?

No. The penalty applies to the person who deliberately deflected the ball, whether it was their own ball, an opponent's ball, or another player's ball in stroke play. The general penalty always goes to the person who made the deliberate action.

What happens to the stroke — does it count?

No. The stroke is canceled and the ball must be replayed from where the original stroke was made. The player who played the stroke gets to hit again from the same spot.