Golf ball weather vulnerability

A golf ball is sturdy but weather can still move it during play.

Wind moves ball during putt

A player's ball moved in wind while lining up a putt before impact.

“I had marked my ball, put the ball down and took away my marker. Lined up my putt. I then made a stroke at the ball, but as I did so the wind blew my ball so that it moved just before I hit it.”

Rule 13.1d (2) applies

If a ball is moved by wind or gravity after being placed on the green, it must be replaced.

“If you’ve lifted and replaced your ball on the green, many of you will know that if it’s then moved by natural forces, which include wind and gravity, you must replace the ball on the spot it moved from.”

Rule 9.1b covers stroke movement

A ball moving during a stroke doesn't require replay if it stops before impact.

“Rule 9.1b says if a ball at rest starts moving, 'after the player has begun the stroke or the backswing for a stroke and the player goes on to make the stroke', the ball must not be replaced.”

Penalty for incorrect replay

Players face two strokes or loss of hole penalty if they replay a moved ball.

“If you get your rules mixed up and put it back in this case, you’ll get the general penalty (two strokes or loss of hole in match play) for playing from the wrong place.”