What happens if my ball moves on the green before I mark it?

You play the ball from its new spot with no penalty. Rule 13.1d says a ball moved by natural forces on the putting green before it's been marked and lifted is played as it lies — you don't replace it.

What the rule says

Rule 13.1d covers what happens when a ball or ball-marker moves on the putting green. If your ball hasn't been marked, lifted, and replaced yet, and something like wind, water, or gravity moves it, you simply play it from where it stops. No penalty, no replacement, no do-over. The rule treats this as the normal risk of playing a ball on a green — once it's at rest, natural forces can move it and you accept the result.

The key difference: marked vs unmarked

Everything changes if you had already marked, lifted, and replaced the ball. Once a ball has been lifted and replaced on the green, it 'owns' that spot. If natural forces move it after that, you must replace it on the original spot (Rule 13.1d(2)). But before you mark it? The ball has no fixed reference point, so the new location becomes the new reality. That's why pros mark quickly on windy days — it locks in the spot. For the flip side of this rule, see what happens when your ball moves after you've marked and replaced it.

What counts as natural forces

Natural forces means wind, water (rain, runoff), gravity (ball rolling on a slope), or earthquakes — anything not caused by a player, caddie, equipment, or outside influence like a spectator or animal. If a gust of wind moves your ball three feet downhill before you mark it, that's natural forces. Play it from there. If your playing partner's bag falls on it, that's an outside influence — different rule, different outcome.

Exceptions that change the answer

• The ball had already been marked, lifted, and replaced on the putting green → You must replace it on its original spot (Rule 13.1d(2)). The ball 'owns' that spot once it's been lifted and replaced. See what happens if your ball moves on the green after you marked and replaced it.

Frequently asked questions

What if wind moves my ball before I mark it?

Play it from the new spot with no penalty. Rule 13.1d says a ball moved by natural forces before it's been marked and lifted is played as it lies.

What if I had already marked and replaced the ball, then wind moves it?

You must replace it on the original spot. Once a ball has been lifted and replaced on the green, it owns that spot — natural forces don't change it.

Is there a penalty either way?

No penalty in either case. Natural forces moving a ball on the green never incurs a penalty — the only question is whether you play from the new spot or replace it.

What counts as natural forces on the green?

Wind, rain, runoff, gravity on a slope, or an earthquake. Anything not caused by a player, caddie, equipment, or outside influence like a spectator or animal.

What if I accidentally kick my ball before marking it?

That's not natural forces — that's you. No penalty on the green for accidental movement (Rule 13.1d(1)), but you must replace it on the original spot.