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Rules

Rule 18-2

Player Addresses Ball, Backs Away; Ball Then Moves

Q. A player addresses his ball and is not comfortable over the ball. He then steps away to start over. A sudden gust of wind comes and the ball moves. What is the ruling?

A. If the ball moves after the player has addressed the ball, the player incurs a penalty of one stroke, and the ball must be replaced - Rule 18-2b. The player is not absolved from penalty as he had addressed the ball. There is no time limit when applying this Rule. (Decision 18-2b/7)


Below you can view videos related to this Rule.

Video
A gust of wind knocked hat off, causing it to blow right past the ball.
After hitting a putt during the 2003 U.S. Senior Open, a gust of wind knocked Wayne Levi's hat off, causing it to blow right past the ball, very close to making contact.
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Approach shot strikes another player's ball already on the green
Watch what happens on this shot by Patty Sheehan at the 1989 U.S. Women's Open. Her approach shot strikes another player's ball already on the green.
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Approach shot came to rest in a tree left of the green
At the 2000 William's World Challenge, Bernhard Langer's approach shot came to rest in a tree left of the green. Langer declared his ball unplayable to protect himself from incurring a penalty for moving his ball into play during a search.
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Outside agency decided to wreak havoc with the ball
At the 1998 Players Championship, Steve Lowery's ball was at rest on the green when an outside agency decided to wreak havoc with the ball.
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Company in this bunker during the first round of the 2003 U.S. Senior Open
Bob Murphy’s ball had company in this bunker during the first round of the 2003 U.S. Senior Open… belonging to his fellow competitor, Hubert Green. Green’s ball struck and moved Murphy’s ball then came to rest on the spot where Murphy’s ball had originally been located.