What happens if I deliberately stop my moving ball?

Yes, there's a penalty. If you deliberately stop or deflect your ball while it's moving, you get the general penalty — two strokes in stroke play, loss of hole in match play (Rule 11.2b). You then play the ball from where it would have come to rest, not where it actually stopped.

Key distinction: This rule only applies when you intend to stop or deflect the ball. Accidental contact — kicking your ball while walking, hitting it with a practice swing, or a ball hitting you unexpectedly — falls under Rule 11.1 (no penalty, play as it lies). The line between accidental and deliberate is whether you meant to intervene.

What counts as deliberate

Deliberate means you meant to do it. If your ball is rolling toward a bunker and you toss your club in its path, that's deliberate. If you accidentally kick your ball while walking, that's not deliberate — Rule 11.1 applies instead, no penalty, play it as it lies. The rule also catches you if you position equipment, a rake, or even your bag thinking it might help, then leave it there after realizing it could stop the ball (Interpretation 11.2a/1).

Where you play from after the penalty

You don't play the ball where it actually stopped. You estimate where it would have come to rest if you hadn't interfered, and you drop a ball within one club-length of that spot, no closer to the hole (Rule 11.2c). If that spot is on the putting green, you place it. If it's in a penalty area or bunker, you drop in that same area. Get the spot wrong and you've played from a wrong place — another two strokes.

Match play has a concession exception

In match play, if your opponent's ball is moving and there's no reasonable chance it can be holed, they can deliberately stop it as a concession — or if it needs to be holed just to tie the hole. That's covered by Rule 3.2, not Rule 11.2, so no penalty. But if there's any chance it could go in, stopping it deliberately still costs the hole.

Exceptions that change the answer

• Ball moving in temporary water or penalty area while taking relief → No penalty for lifting the moving ball under Rule 16.1 or 17 (Rule 10.1d Exception 3).
• Match play — opponent's ball with no reasonable chance to be holed, stopped as concession or to tie hole → Covered by Rule 3.2a(1) or 3.2b(1), not Rule 11.2 — no penalty.
• Equipment left in place before you realized it could help → No penalty unless you deliberately leave it there after realizing it could deflect the ball (Interpretation 11.2a/1).

Frequently asked questions

What if I accidentally hit my moving ball with my club?

That's not deliberate. No penalty under Rule 11.1 — play the ball where it comes to rest.

Can I move a rake that might stop my ball?

Yes, you can move equipment anytime before the ball reaches it. But if you placed it there and then realize it might help and deliberately leave it, that's a penalty.

What's the penalty in stroke play?

Two strokes — the general penalty. Plus you must drop where the ball would have finished.

What if I stop my opponent's ball in match play?

Loss of hole — unless it's a concession situation with no chance of holing out.

Do I have to estimate the spot exactly?

You estimate as best you can. Be honest — if you guess wrong and gain an advantage, that's playing from a wrong place.