TheRules sider Rule 13.1d ( 1 ), which states that there is no penalty for accidental movement of ball or ball-marker on the putting green . Let ’ s say you ’ ve walked up to your ball , and you ’ re fumbling around in your pocket for your ball-marker , and your putter slips out of your hand and hits the ball before you can mark it . No problem . Just move the ball back to its original spot ( which if not known must be estimated ), mark , lift , clean , replace and play on .
But the Bradley situation fell under the natural forces , meaning he needed to proceed under Rule 13.1d ( 2 ) rather than Rule 13.1d ( 1 ). Thus , he received the general penalty for playing from a wrong place .
Knowledge of Rule 13 will help you avoid such sticky situations . Knowing when you “ own the spot ” will help alleviate some heartache and save you from unfortunate penalty strokes on the putting green .
Until you lift your ball after marking it , you don ’ t own the spot that the ball-marker occupies .
Rule # 13.1d ( 2 )
If natural forces cause a player ’ s ball on the putting green to move , where the player must play from next depends on whether the ball had already been lifted and replaced to its original spot .
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