What happens if my opponent moves my ball?

If your opponent moves your ball at rest in match play, they usually get a one-stroke penalty and you replace the ball on its original spot. But there are exceptions — like if they're conceding a stroke or you asked them to lift it.

When the ball must be replaced

Any time it's known or virtually certain your opponent (or their caddie) lifted or moved your ball at rest, you put it back. If the exact spot isn't known, you estimate it as best you can. This applies anywhere on the course — fairway, rough, bunker, putting green, wherever. The only times you don't replace it are when your opponent is conceding your next stroke, the hole, or the match, or when you asked them to lift it because you were taking relief or moving the ball to a different spot under a Rule.

When your opponent gets a penalty stroke

Your opponent gets one penalty stroke if they lift or deliberately touch your ball at rest, or cause it to move. That's the default. But there are three clear exceptions where they don't get penalized, and they cover the most common situations you'll actually run into on the course.

What happens if you play from the wrong spot

If you don't replace the ball when you should have — or you replace it in the wrong place — and then play it, that's the general penalty: loss of hole in match play. So take the extra few seconds to put it back right. It's not worth giving the hole away over a bad drop.

Exceptions that change the answer

• Your opponent is conceding your next stroke, the hole, or the match → No penalty for lifting or moving your ball — they're allowed to do it.
• Your opponent lifts your ball at your request → No penalty — you asked them to do it, usually because you're taking relief or replacing the ball elsewhere.
• Your opponent marks and lifts your ball on the putting green thinking it's theirs → No penalty — honest mistake, it happens. They just put it back.
• Your opponent accidentally moves your ball while doing something covered by Rule 9.4b Exceptions 2, 3, 4, or 5 → No penalty — same exceptions that protect you protect them too (like searching for the ball, removing loose impediments, etc.).

Frequently asked questions

My opponent accidentally kicked my ball in the fairway. What now?

Replace your ball on its original spot (estimate if needed). Your opponent gets one penalty stroke unless they were doing something covered by the exceptions — like helping search for it.

My opponent picked up my ball on the green thinking it was theirs. Penalty?

No penalty. If they marked and lifted it by mistake on the putting green, Exception 2 applies. Just replace the ball and play on.

I asked my opponent to lift my ball so I could take relief. They dropped it and it rolled. Penalty?

No penalty for lifting it — you asked them to. But if they dropped it instead of placing it, that's a separate issue. You'd need to place it correctly under the relief Rule you're using.

My opponent moved my ball while conceding my putt. Do I replace it?

No. When a stroke, hole, or match is conceded, the opponent is allowed to lift or move the ball. No replacement needed, no penalty.

What if I play the ball without replacing it after my opponent moved it?

You get the general penalty — loss of hole in match play. Always replace the ball first unless an exception says you don't have to.