What must a player do if they accidentally cause their ball to move when on the course?
If your ball is in the fairway and you accidentally kick and move it, that will be a one-stroke penalty and the ball must be replaced on its original spot. If you move a leaf next to your ball in the rough and that causes your ball to move, the same penalty will apply.
Is it a penalty if you hit your ball on a practice swing?
When the practice swing accidentally hits the ball, you are considered to have not made a stroke. Thus, the golf rules simply allow you to re-tee the moved ball (or replace it with another one) without penalty.
What happens if you accidentally knock ball off tee?
Knocking the ball off the tee by accident is not intent to hit the ball so it doesn’t count as a stroke. Put the ball back on the tee and hit away with no penalty. You can pick it up and move it anywhere within that teeing area with no penalty to make your next stroke.
Can you touch your golf ball to identify it?
If a ball might be a player’s ball but cannot be identified as it lies: The player may lift the ball to identify it (including by rotating it), but: The spot of the ball must first be marked. Continued), and the ball must not be cleaned more than needed to identify it (except on the putting green.
Can a caddie mark a player’s ball?
The player’s caddie is allowed to mark and lift the player’s ball on the putting green any time the player is allowed to do so, without needing authorization. The caddie continues to be allowed to replace the player’s ball only if the caddie was the one who had lifted or moved the ball.
Can you ground your putter in front of the ball?
Rule 16-1. The line of putt must not be touched, except to remove loose impediments, lifting or replacing the ball, repairing a ball mark (old or your own) or removing movable obstructions. The player can place the club down in front of the ball when addressing, but may not press anything down.
Is it legal to use a different ball for putting?
You can always use a new ball when starting a hole. You can also substitute a different ball any time you are taking relief, including both free and penalty relief. Unless the one-ball Local Rule is in effect, the substituted ball could be any brand.