What happens if I lift my ball to identify it and put it back wrong?

Yes, there's a penalty. If you lift your ball to identify it without marking the spot first, or you clean it more than needed, or you replace it in the wrong place, you get one penalty stroke for each breach.

Mark it before you touch it

Before you pick up your ball to check if it's yours, you have to mark the spot. Set a ball-marker right behind or right next to the ball, or rest a club on the ground right there. If you lift it without marking, that's one penalty stroke. Same if you mark it in a way that doesn't show the exact spot — like putting the marker a couple inches away — or if you make a stroke with the marker still on the ground.

Clean only what you need to see

When you're lifting just to identify the ball, you can clean it — but only enough to see the markings. Scrub it clean and you've broken Rule 14.1c. That's another one-stroke penalty, and you still have to put the ball back. If there's mud or grass stuck on it, wipe off just the bit covering your ID mark and stop.

Put it back exactly where it was

After identifying it, you must replace the ball on its original spot. Not near it, not a better lie — the exact spot. If you drop it instead of placing it, or you set it down in a different place, that's a third one-stroke penalty under Rule 14.2. Each mistake stacks: no mark, over-cleaning, wrong replacement = three strokes.

Exceptions that change the answer

• Ball is on the putting green → You may always clean it fully when lifted, and your caddie can lift it without asking first.
• Caddie lifts it because it's reasonable you'll take relief → No penalty for unauthorized lifting — but you still must mark the spot and replace correctly.

Frequently asked questions

What if I accidentally kick my ball while looking for it?

That's not lifting — it's accidental movement during search. No penalty, just replace it on the estimated original spot (Rule 7.4).

My caddie picked up my ball in the fairway without asking. Penalty?

Yes, one stroke. Caddies can only lift without authorization on the green, or when it's clear you're taking relief. Fairway doesn't count.

I marked with a tee stuck in the ground beside the ball. Is that okay?

Yes. A tee counts as a ball-marker if it's right next to the ball. Just remove it before you stroke.

I cleaned the whole ball because I couldn't see my mark under the mud. Penalty?

Only if you cleaned more than needed. If the mud covered your only ID mark, cleaning the whole ball to find it is allowed. If you could've just wiped one spot, it's a penalty.