We’ve all had it. We get onto a green, we’re addressing for a shot, or we’ve lifted and replaced, and the ball starts moving.
It’s easy to get into a panic, and it’s easy for your playing partners to get the wrong idea. But when a ball or ball-marker accidentally moves on the putting green, there are two specific sections of Rule 13.1d that can come into play.
You’ll need to know both, so let’s get stuck in…
Golf rules when a ball accidentally moves on the green
When you’ve accidentally caused the ball to move on the putting green
Think Dustin Johnson at the US Open back in 2016 and you’ll get the clearest example of this in action. DJ actually got penalised that day but a local rule was soon issued that then found its way into the Rules of Golf revamp in 2019.
Rule 13.1d (1) now says there is no penalty if you, your opponent in match play, or another player in stroke play accidentally moves your ball or ball-marker on the green.
You simply replace the ball on its original spot – estimate if you don’t know where that is – or place a ball-marker to mark that original spot.
There is an exception that a ball must be played as it lies when a ball begins to move during a backswing, or stroke, and the stroke is made.