What happens if the wind moves your golf ball?

No penalty — you play the ball from where the wind left it (Rule 9.3). The only exception is if you had already marked and replaced the ball on the green; then you must put it back on its original spot.

The situation

You've played your shot, found your ball, and while you're preparing to hit it again the wind picks it up and moves it to a new spot — or even blows it into a bunker.

The rule

Wind is a natural force. Under Rule 9.3, if natural forces move a ball at rest, there is no penalty and you must play the ball from where it has come to rest. The only exception: if the ball had already been lifted and replaced (marked on the green, for example), and wind then moves it before you play — in that case you replace it in its original spot.

Real example

Your approach shot lands on the edge of the green. While you're walking up, a gust rolls the ball off the green and into the fringe. No penalty — you play it from the fringe.

What to do on the course

• Do not replace the ball (unless it had been lifted and replaced previously)
• Play from wherever the wind left it
• If the ball moved into a worse position, that's just the wind — no relief available
• If the ball moved into a penalty area while you were watching, take penalty area relief as normal

Penalty

No penalty. Play the ball from its new position.

What if wind moves my ball on the putting green after I've addressed it?

If you haven't marked and lifted the ball yet, wind is still a natural force under Rule 9.3 — you play from where the wind left it, even on the green. Many golfers think they must replace it, but that only applies if you had already marked, lifted and replaced it (Rule 13.1d). If you simply addressed the ball and a gust rolls it, no penalty, play the new spot.

Keep reading: penalty area

Exceptions that change the answer

• The ball on the putting green moves after the player has lifted and replaced it on its spot. → The ball must be replaced on the spot where it originally was (if the spot isn’t known, it must be estimated).
• The ball is dropped, placed or replaced and then moves to another area of the course or out of bounds due to natural forces. → The ball must be replaced on the spot where it first came to rest (if that spot isn’t known, it must be estimated).

Frequently asked questions

What if wind moves my ball after I've marked it on the green?

If you had already lifted and replaced the ball (marked it), and wind then moves it before you play, you must replace it on its original spot with no penalty (Rule 9.3 Exception).

Does it matter if the wind blows my ball into a bunker or penalty area?

No — wind is a natural force, so you play the ball from the bunker or take penalty area relief as normal; there is no extra penalty for the wind moving it.

What if the wind moves my ball while I'm addressing it?

If the ball moves after you've taken your stance but before the stroke, and wind is the cause, there is no penalty and you play from the new spot (Rule 9.3).

Can I replace my ball if the wind moves it to a worse lie?

No — you must play the ball from where the wind left it, even if the new lie is worse; no relief is available for natural forces moving a ball at rest.

Is there any penalty if wind moves my ball during a round?

Never — Rule 9.3 states there is no penalty when natural forces move a ball at rest, regardless of where it ends up.

What if wind blows my ball off the tee before I swing?

No penalty. If wind knocks your teed ball off the tee before you make a stroke, you may re-tee it anywhere in the teeing area (Rule 6.2b). The ball wasn't 'in play' yet, so wind moving it is treated the same as you accidentally knocking it off.

How do I know if wind moved my ball or if I accidentally caused it to move?

You decide based on what you saw. If you're certain wind was the only cause, Rule 9.3 applies — no penalty, play from the new spot. If you might have touched it or the ground near it, Rule 9.4 applies — one-stroke penalty and you must replace it. When in doubt, assume you caused it.

Does Rule 9.3 apply if my ball is in a bunker and wind moves it?

Yes. Wind is a natural force everywhere on the course. If wind moves your ball in a bunker, no penalty — play it from the new spot in the sand. You don't get to rake the bunker or improve the lie.

Related: The same Rule 9.3 logic applies when water (a stream, temporary water, rain runoff) moves your ball at rest. For the combined wind-and-water breakdown, see What happens if wind or water moves my ball?.