In three separate instances, in recent club events, a competitor touched, moved, or lifted his ball in a way not allowed under the rules. None of these players were attempting to cheat-they either didn't realize that their actions were not permitted or they temporarily lost focus.

Let's look first at the three incidents mentioned above, and then at other common situations when it is helpful to know the rules before you touch or lift your ball, and what to do when your ball is moved. Many of these issues are covered by Rule 18 - Ball At Rest Moved.

Player A rotated his ball on the putting green to line up the trademark with the hole, a fairly ordinary practice. Unfortunately, the position of his ball was not marked, and A incurred a penalty stroke. Rule 18-2a states that, when your ball is in play, you may not "lift or move it, touch it purposely (except with a club in the act of addressing it) or cause it to move except as permitted by a rule…" Rules 16-1b and 20-1 allow a player to lift (or touch and rotate) his ball on the putting green only after its position has been marked (Decision 18-2a/33).

Player B rotated his ball in the fairway, claiming that he was allowed to identify the ball. B was penalized one stroke (Rule 18-2a, again) when he failed to follow the procedure described under Rule 12-2 Identifying Ball. This rule allows you to lift (or touch and rotate) a ball for identification purposes, except in a hazard, but spells out a three-step procedure that must be followed. Prior to lifting, you must: 1) Announce your intention to your opponent, marker, or fellow-competitor, 2) Mark the position of the ball, and 3) Give your opponent, marker, or fellow-competitor an opportunity to observe the lifting and replacement.

Player C simply suffered a mental lapse. (Right there on the golf course.) After a nice tee shot to the green on the par-3 third and leaving his second putt just inches from the hole, in frustration C knocked the ball away with his putter. In casual rounds, those little putts are conceded, but in individual stroke play competition they must be holed. C was required to replace his ball, hole the putt, and add a stroke to his score (yup, Rule 18-2a, again). In this circumstance, C was not considered to have made a stroke at the ball when he knocked it away (Decision 18-2a/23). In effect, he had lifted his ball in play without marking its position.

Rule 18 governs a whole range of situations in which a ball at rest is moved. As always, definitions are critical components of the rules. A ball is deemed to have "moved" if it leaves its position and comes to rest in any other place.

When a ball at rest is moved, it must be replaced, unless moved by wind or water. This is true regardless who or what caused the ball to move, or whether it was done purposely or accidentally-unless, of course, the ball was moved by a stroke. A "stroke" is the forward movement of the club made with the intention of fairly striking at and moving the ball…

No doubt, you have observed (experienced?) a practice swing that makes unintentional contact with the ball in play. A ball moved by a practice swing must be replaced. No stroke is counted, because there was no "intention" to fairly strike at and move the ball, but you must add a penalty stroke for accidentally moving the ball in play. If the practice swing (or a shaky address) moves the ball on the tee, no penalty is assessed-that ball was not yet in play. You lucky guy, you can pretend it never happened.

The player is held accountable, and penalized, if his ball moves in either of these situations: 1) After the player has addressed it. (A player has "addressed the ball" when he has taken his stance and also has grounded his club…), or 2) After the player has touched a loose impediment lying within a club-length of the ball when his ball lies through the green. In 1) above, it won't matter that the wind is gusting to 60 mph, and the green was triple cut, double rolled and running at 14 on the Stimpmeter; you will be "deemed to have moved the ball" if you have addressed it. Hint: don't ground your putter. If you haven't addressed the ball, and the wind moves it, play it from its new position without penalty.

Rule 18 graciously allows for some ineptitude without penalty, but don't expect to get away with being a complete klutz. For example, no penalty is incurred if a player accidentally causes his ball or ball-marker to move in the process of lifting, placing, or replacing the ball under a rule, "provided the movement of the ball or the ball-marker is directly attributable to the specific act of placing or replacing the ball or removing the ball-marker." You are also absolved from penalty if you accidentally move your ball while searching for it in a hazard or in an abnormal ground condition.

Rule 18 does not penalize fellow-competitors (stroke play) who accidentally move another player's ball at rest. An opponent (match play) will incur a penalty for moving your ball, unless assisting in a search for your ball. This allows you to be a good sport and help an opponent or a fellow-competitor find his ball without fear of being penalized if you accidentally move his ball in the process.

Key points summary:

• A ball at rest which has been moved by anyone or anything other than wind or water, or by a stroke, must be replaced.
• With few exceptions, if you cause your ball in play to move, you incur a penalty stroke.
• Do not purposely touch (or lift, or rotate, or move) your ball unless proceeding under a rule which permits the action.

Dick Beckman
June, 2003