Rule 9: Ball Played as It Lies; Ball at Rest Lifted or Moved

Rule 9 is built on one principle: the ball is played as it lies. Playing the course as you find it is Rule 8.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 9, Purpose · recall

A ball at rest is played as it lies unless the Rules require or allow it to be played from another place or lifted and replaced.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 9.1a · recall

A divot hole gives no free relief under the Rules, so the ball is played as it lies.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 9.1a · applied

Rule 9 applies to a ball in play at rest both during a round and while play is stopped under Rule 5.7a.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 9, Purpose · recall

Nothing allows a ball to be moved to a better lie. The player plays it as it lies or takes relief under a Rule, such as unplayable ball relief with a penalty.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 9.1a · applied

Lifting on the putting green is a lift-and-replace case: the ball goes back on its original spot.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 9.1a; Rule 13.1b · applied

Playing from a wrong place in breach of Rule 9.1 brings the general penalty under Rule 14.7a: loss of hole or two strokes.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 9.1, Penalty · recall

With no Rule giving relief, the poor lie is simply part of the game: the ball is played as it lies.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 9.1a · applied

When a Rule allows a lift and replace, the spot is marked first and the ball goes back on that same spot.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 9.1a; Rule 14.1 · applied

B moves the ball out of a poor spot with the clubhead before the stroke. A in the rough, C in the bunker and D in the divot hole all play it as it lies.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 9.1a · applied

Once the backswing has begun and the stroke is made, the ball is not replaced. The next stroke is played from where it comes to rest.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 9.1b · recall

Rule 9.1b says the ball is not replaced no matter what caused it to move.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 9.1b · recall

Playing a ball that began to move only after the backswing started is covered by Rule 9.1b, not by the moving ball penalty in Rule 10.1d.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 9.1b; Rule 10.1d, Exception 1 · applied

Rule 9.1b covers a ball that moves after the backswing begins and the player goes on to make the stroke. If no stroke is made, the normal Rules on a moved ball apply.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 9.1b · applied

Rule 9.1b sends the player to Rule 9.4b to find out whether causing the ball to move brings a penalty.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 9.1b; Rule 9.4b · recall

The ball was already moving before the backswing began, so Rule 9.1b does not help. Making a stroke at a moving ball is a breach of Rule 10.1d.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 10.1d; Rule 9.1b · applied

A swing made to strike the ball is a stroke even if it misses. As it began after the backswing started, the ball is not replaced.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 9.1b; Definition of Stroke · applied

Movement that begins after the backswing starts is played out: the ball is not replaced.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 9.1b · applied

Rule 9.1b covers movement from the start of the backswing through the stroke; movement before that is handled by other Rules.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 9.1b · recall

Play continues from C, where the ball stopped after the stroke. Going back to A or to B would be playing from a wrong place.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 9.1b · applied

A ball is treated as having moved only if it is known or virtually certain that it did.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 9.2a · recall

Doubt is not enough: a ball that only might have shifted stays where it is in the eyes of the Rules and is played from there.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 9.2a · applied

A ball that only wobbles and stays on or returns to its original spot has not moved.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Definition of Moved · applied

A ball has moved if it leaves its spot up, down or horizontally and this can be seen by the naked eye.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Definition of Moved · applied

Virtually certain allows a very small doubt: all reasonably available information shows the event is at least 95% likely.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Definition of Known or Virtually Certain · recall

Moved means leaving the spot in a way that can be seen by the naked eye, whether or not anyone actually saw it.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Definition of Moved · recall

Without knowledge or virtual certainty that the ball moved, it is treated as not having moved and is played as it lies.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 9.2a · applied

Doubt that falls short of the 95% standard means the ball is treated as not moved.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 9.2a · applied

First decide whether it moved, then the cause, and the cause decides whether the ball is replaced and whether there is a penalty.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 9.2 · recall

B left its spot and stopped on another one. A only wobbled and stayed put, C's grass moved but not the ball, and D's ball stayed still behind the club.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Definition of Moved · applied

The Rules recognise four causes: natural forces, the player, the opponent in match play and an outside influence.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 9.2b(1) · recall

An outside influence is a listed cause. Bad luck, a poor lie or a hole's rating are not causes the Rules recognise.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 9.2b(1) · recall

When no person or outside influence is known or virtually certain to be the cause, the ball is treated as moved by natural forces.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 9.2b(2) · applied

In stroke play any other player, and their caddie, is an outside influence.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 9.2b(1); Definition of Outside Influence · applied

In match play the actions of the opponent's caddie count as the opponent's actions, covered by Rule 9.5.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 9.2b(1) · applied

All reasonably available information is weighed: what the player knows and what can be found with reasonable effort and without unreasonable delay.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 9.2b(2) · recall

The caddie's actions count as the player's actions, so Rule 9.4 applies.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 9.2b(1) · applied

Rule 9.2b lists natural forces, the player, the opponent and an outside influence, dealt with in Rules 9.3 to 9.6.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 9.2b(1) · recall

With no virtually certain cause, natural forces are presumed, and under Rule 9.3 the ball is played from its new spot.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 9.2b(2); Rule 9.3 · applied

Wind (A) is a natural force. A bag (B), a dog (C) and another ball (D) are not: an animal and another ball are outside influences, and a falling bag is put down to whoever it belongs to.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 9.2b(1); Definition of Natural Forces · applied

When natural forces move a ball at rest there is no penalty and the ball is played from its new spot.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 9.3 · applied

A ball on the putting green that moves after being lifted and replaced is put back on its original spot, whatever moved it.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 9.3, Exception 1; Rule 13.1d · applied

Exception 1 needs the ball to have been lifted and replaced first. If not, the general rule applies and it is played from the new spot.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 9.3; Rule 13.1d · applied

A ball put into play by dropping that natural forces move into another area of the course is replaced on its original spot.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 9.3, Exception 2 · applied

Exception 2 applies only when the ball moves into another area of the course or out of bounds. Staying in the rough, it is played from the new spot.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 9.3, Exception 2 · applied

Natural forces include wind, water and gravity when something happens for no apparent reason. A sprinkler's water is artificially propelled, so it is an outside influence.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Definition of Natural Forces; Definition of Outside Influence · recall

Flowing water is a natural force, so there is no penalty and the ball is played from where it now lies.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 9.3; Definition of Natural Forces · applied

Exception 1 covers a ball already lifted and replaced on the green: it goes back even when wind is to blame.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 9.3, Exception 1 · applied

Exception 2 protects a ball put into play by dropping, placing or replacing: if natural forces take it out of bounds, it is replaced.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 9.3, Exception 2 · applied

B's ball on the green had been marked, lifted and replaced, so it goes back. A in the fairway, C on the green not yet lifted and D in the rough are played from their new spots.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 9.3, Exception 1 · applied

A ball the player lifted or caused to move must be replaced on its original spot.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 9.4a · recall

When the original spot is not known it is estimated, and the ball is replaced on that estimated spot.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 9.4a; Rule 14.2 · recall

Lifting to take relief under a Rule is one of the cases where the ball is not replaced on its original spot.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 9.4a · applied

A practice swing is not covered by any exception: one penalty stroke under Rule 9.4b, and the ball goes back on its spot.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 9.4a; Rule 9.4b · applied

A player who fails to replace a moved ball and plays from a wrong place gets the general penalty only; the one stroke for moving it is not added.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 9.4, Penalty; Rule 1.3c(4), Exception · applied

A ball that moves after the backswing has begun, with the stroke then made, is not replaced; that case is covered by Rule 9.1b.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 9.4a · recall

The caddie's actions count as the player's. Walking up to a ball is not one of the exceptions, so it is one stroke and the ball is replaced.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 9.4a; Rule 9.4b · applied

The ball has to go back before the next stroke; playing it from the new spot would be playing from a wrong place.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 9.4a · applied

Not knowing the exact lie does not excuse the replacement: the player makes a best estimate and puts the ball there.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 9.4a; Rule 14.2 · applied

C's ball began to roll after the backswing started and the stroke was made, so it is played where it ends up. A's foot, B's club at address and D's bag all mean replacing it.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 9.4a; Rule 9.1b · applied

Lifting, deliberately touching or causing one's own ball at rest to move costs one penalty stroke unless an exception applies.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 9.4b · recall

Accidentally moving one's ball on the putting green is never penalised, however it happens. The ball is replaced.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 9.4b, Exception 3; Rule 13.1d · applied

Reasonable actions to take relief, including working out where relief is, are covered by Exception 4.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 9.4b, Exception 4 · applied

Removing a movable obstruction is a reasonable action under Exception 4, so there is no penalty and the ball is replaced.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 9.4b, Exception 4; Rule 15.2a · applied

Removing a loose impediment is not in the list of Exception 4 actions, so off the putting green it costs one stroke and the ball is replaced.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 9.4b; Rule 15.1b · applied

Exception 5: no penalty when a ball that came to rest against the player's equipment after a stroke moves as the equipment is removed.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 9.4b, Exception 5 · applied

Rule 9.4b has five exceptions: lifting allowed by a Rule, finding or identifying, the putting green, applying a Rule, and a ball against the player or their equipment.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 9.4b · recall

Accidental movement on the putting green is free, but the ball must go back before the putt.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 9.4b, Exception 3 · applied

Swinging a club to see whether there is interference is a reasonable action in taking relief, covered by Exception 4.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 9.4b, Exception 4 · applied

B was moving a loose impediment in the rough, which is not an exception: one stroke. A was on the putting green, C was marking the ball and D was moving a rake, all free.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 9.4b · applied

An opponent who lifts, deliberately touches or moves the player's ball at rest gets one penalty stroke unless an exception applies.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 9.5b · recall

An opponent may lift the ball when conceding the next stroke, a hole or the match. There is no penalty and no replacing.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 9.5a; Rule 9.5b, Exception 1 · applied

Lifting the player's ball at the player's request is Exception 1 to Rule 9.5b.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 9.5b, Exception 1 · applied

Marking and lifting the player's ball on the putting green in the mistaken belief that it is one's own is Exception 2.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 9.5b, Exception 2 · applied

Walking past is not one of the exceptions, so the opponent gets one stroke and the ball is replaced on its spot.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 9.5a; Rule 9.5b · applied

Exception 3 gives the opponent the same exceptions as the player, including accidental movement while searching.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 9.5b, Exception 3 · applied

Playing the player's ball as a wrong ball is dealt with by Rule 6.3c(1), not by Rule 9.5.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 9.5 · recall

A concession allows the opponent to remove the ball with no penalty; the conceded stroke still counts in the score.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 9.5a; Rule 3.2b · applied

The opponent's mistake does not change where the ball belongs: back where it lay, judged as closely as possible.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 9.5a; Rule 14.2 · applied

Kicking it while walking (B) costs one stroke. Conceding the next stroke (A), searching (C) and measuring (D) are exceptions.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 9.5b · applied

There is no penalty when an outside influence moves the ball, and it is replaced on its original spot.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 9.6 · recall

Everyone saw the bird take it, so the cause is known. The player puts a ball back where the original lay, free of charge.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 9.6; Rule 14.2 · applied

Without knowledge or virtual certainty of an outside influence, a lost ball needs stroke-and-distance relief.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 9.6; Rule 18.2 · applied

A ball in motion from someone else's stroke counts as an outside influence under the Definitions.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 9.6; Definition of Outside Influence · applied

Artificially propelled water, such as from an irrigation system, is an outside influence rather than a natural force.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 9.6; Definition of Outside Influence · applied

In stroke play other competitors are outside influences, so nobody is penalised for the kick.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 9.6 · applied

Rule 9.6 applies whether or not the ball has been found, so a substituted ball may be replaced.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 9.6 · recall

An animal is an outside influence. Seeing it take the ball makes that known, so a ball is replaced.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 9.6 · applied

A spectator is an outside influence; once that is known, the ball goes back with no penalty.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 9.6 · applied

C's ball has vanished and nothing is known to have moved it, so it is lost: stroke and distance. The dog (A), sprinkler (B) and other ball (D) are outside influences.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 9.6; Rule 18.2 · applied

The player either replaces the ball on its original spot, estimated if needed, or puts a ball-marker there.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 9.7a · recall

Rule 9.7a applies however the marker moved, including natural forces, and wind brings no penalty.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 9.7a · applied

The exceptions for moving the ball also apply to the marker, and accidental movement on the putting green is free.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 9.7b, Exception · applied

An opponent who lifts the player's ball-marker while the ball is lifted and not yet replaced gets one penalty stroke.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 9.7b · applied

A moved ball-marker means one in place on the course, marking the spot of a ball that has been lifted and not replaced.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Definition of Ball-Marker · recall

Where moving the ball would be free, as when lifting it to identify it, moving the marker is free too.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 9.7b, Exception · applied

A ball-marker is an artificial object, such as a tee, a coin or a small piece of equipment.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Definition of Ball-Marker · recall

Where the coin ended up means nothing; the player works out where the ball lay and replaces it there.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 9.7a · applied

The player restores the original spot by estimating it; the opponent is the one penalised.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 9.7a; Rule 9.7b · applied

The ball goes back on its original spot, B, where the coin first lay. A is only where the wind left the coin.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 9.7a · applied