Who can replace my ball after I lift it?

Only you or a person you authorize may replace your lifted ball. If anyone else puts it back, you get the general penalty — two strokes in stroke play, loss of hole in match play (Rule 14.2b).

The only people allowed to replace it

Rule 14.2b(1) is short and strict: your ball must be replaced only by you, or by anyone you have authorized. That authorization can be explicit — you tell your caddie or playing partner to do it — or implied by the situation, like when your caddie routinely marks and replaces your ball on the green. If a stranger, an opponent, or a fellow-competitor you didn't ask puts the ball back, you've breached the rule.

What happens if the wrong person replaces it

The ball is considered wrongly replaced. You must correct the mistake by lifting the ball and replacing it properly yourself (or by someone you authorize) before you make a stroke. If you play the ball from that wrongly replaced spot, you get the general penalty: two strokes in stroke play, loss of hole in match play. The correction is free — no extra penalty for fixing it before you play.

How this differs from marking on the green

When you mark and lift on the putting green, the same authorization rule applies — but the context is different. On the green, your caddie routinely marks and replaces your ball as part of normal play, which creates implied authorization. Off the green, lifting is less common and usually requires explicit authorization. If your ball moves accidentally during the marking process on the green, Rule 9.7a applies with no penalty — see what happens if your ball moves after you mark it.

A special case: aides for players with disabilities

If you use an assistive mobility device (wheelchair, cane, crutch, etc.), Rule 25.4a gives your designated aide the same lifting authority as a caddie on the putting green — they can mark and lift your ball without asking each time. See can my aide lift my ball on the green without asking me for the full details.

Authorization can be implied

You don't have to say "I authorize you" every time. If your caddie has been marking and replacing your ball all round, that's implied authorization. Same for a partner in four-ball who routinely helps. But a fellow-competitor in stroke play who just decides to be helpful? Not authorized unless you actually asked them. When in doubt, do it yourself or make the authorization clear.

Exceptions that change the answer

• Play was stopped and the ball was lifted, then the lie was worsened before replacement → Rule 5.7d applies instead of the normal replacement procedure; the player must restore the original lie as near as possible.
• The original ball cannot be recovered with reasonable effort in a few seconds, is cut or cracked, play resumes after a stoppage, or the original ball was played by another player as a wrong ball → Another ball may be substituted when replacing (Rule 14.2b exception).
• Natural forces move a replaced ball to another area of the course or out of bounds → The ball must be replaced on its original spot (Exception 2 to Rule 9.3).

Frequently asked questions

Can my caddie replace my ball without me saying anything?

Yes, if it's your regular caddie and they've been doing it all round, that's implied authorization. A new caddie you just met needs explicit permission.

What if my playing partner replaces my ball to be helpful?

Unless you asked them to, they're not authorized. You must lift and replace it correctly yourself before playing, or you'll get the general penalty.

Does it matter if the ball ends up in the exact same spot?

The person matters, not the result. Even if they put it back perfectly, an unauthorized replacement is still a breach if you don't correct it before playing.

Can I authorize someone after they've already replaced it?

No. Authorization must exist at the moment of replacement. Retroactive permission doesn't fix it — you still have to lift and replace properly yourself.

What's the penalty if I play from a spot where the wrong person replaced my ball?

General penalty: two strokes in stroke play, loss of hole in match play. No extra penalty for the unauthorized act itself — only for playing from the wrongly replaced spot.