What happens if my opponent moves my ball at rest in match play
Yes, your opponent gets a one-stroke penalty for lifting or deliberately touching your ball at rest, or causing it to move. You must replace the ball on its original spot (estimate if unsure). No penalty if they were conceding a stroke, hole, or match, or if you asked them to lift it.
The basic rule
In match play, if your opponent lifts your ball at rest, deliberately touches it, or causes it to move, they get one penalty stroke. This applies anywhere on the course — fairway, rough, bunker, putting green, anywhere. The ball must always be replaced on its original spot. If the exact spot isn't known, you estimate it as best you can and replace it there.
When there's no penalty
Three exceptions mean no penalty for your opponent. First, if they lift your ball while conceding your next stroke, the hole, or the match — that's allowed. Second, if you asked them to lift it because you're taking relief or replacing it elsewhere. Third, on the putting green only: if they mark and lift your ball by mistake, thinking it's their own, no penalty. Also, if they accidentally move it while doing something Rule 9.4b allows (like searching for it, identifying it, or removing a loose impediment on the green), no penalty.
What you do next
Replace your ball on the original spot (or your best estimate). Don't play from where it ended up — that's playing from a wrong place and costs you the general penalty (loss of hole in match play). If your opponent already played your ball as a wrong ball, that's covered by Rule 6.3c(1), not this rule.
Exceptions that change the answer
- Opponent lifts your ball while conceding your next stroke, the hole, or the match → No penalty — the concession stands and the ball is considered holed or next stroke conceded
- You asked your opponent to lift your ball to take relief or replace it elsewhere → No penalty — they were helping you apply a Rule
- On the putting green, opponent marks and lifts your ball thinking it's theirs → No penalty — honest mistake on the green
- Opponent accidentally moves your ball while searching, identifying, or removing a loose impediment on the green → No penalty — same exceptions that apply to you under Rule 9.4b
Frequently asked questions
Does my opponent get a penalty if they accidentally kick my ball in the fairway?
Yes, one penalty stroke. Accidental movement by the opponent anywhere except the putting green (or while taking allowed actions under Rule 9.4b) still incurs the penalty. You replace the ball on its original spot.
What if my opponent moves my ball while we're both looking for it?
No penalty if they're helping search. Rule 9.4b Exception 2 covers accidental movement during search by anyone, including your opponent. Replace the ball without penalty to either of you.
My opponent marked and lifted my ball on the green thinking it was theirs. Penalty?
No penalty. Exception 2 specifically covers this honest mistake on the putting green. They replace your ball on the marked spot (or estimate if the mark moved).
What happens if I don't replace the ball and play from the new spot?
You lose the hole. Playing from a wrong place in breach of Rule 9.5 carries the general penalty under Rule 14.7a — in match play, that's loss of hole.
My opponent played my ball thinking it was theirs. Is that Rule 9.5?
No, that's Rule 6.3c(1) — wrong ball. Your opponent loses the hole for playing a wrong ball. Your ball gets replaced on its original spot.