
On the Green If you putt your ball, and it strikes a competitors ball (which is also on the green) you will incur a 2 shot penalty (stroke play
Stroke play
Stroke play, also known as medal play, is a scoring system in the sport of golf in which the total number of strokes is counted over one, or more rounds, of 18 holes; as opposed to match play, in which the player, or team, earns a point for each hole in which they have bested their opponents. In stroke play the winner is the player who has taken the fewest strokes over the course of the round, or rounds.
What happens if you hit another player’s golf ball on the Green?
If a player chips their ball onto the green and it hits another player’s ball, they will not receive any penalties for this occurrence. But if both balls are already on the green and a player strikes another player’s ball, they will concede a two-shot penalty even if they didn’t mean to hit another player’s ball.
Do you putt the same ball on the Green?
It would help if you played the same ball when it lands on the green, although players are allowed to mark and retrieve their golf ball when on the green but must place the same ball back down when they’ve finished aligning their putt.
What is the rule for the Blue Ball on the Green?
The ball in blue must be placed back onto its original spot on the green. In this case, the ball in motion hits the ball at rest into the hole. The course of action required here is that the ball at rest (blue ball) must be placed back onto the green where it was previously located. Furthermore, the ball at rest is not counted as a holed ball.
What is an example of hitting a ball on the Green?
For example, your fellow-competitor hits a tee shot, then you hit yours, and your ball hits your fellow competitor's ball in the fairway. Or your buddy's ball is on the green, you hit an approach shot, and your ball hits your friend's ball on the green.

What happens if you hit both golf balls on the green?
If both balls were on the green, the golfer whose ball was in motion is penalized. If neither ball, or only one golf ball, was on the green, there is no penalty to either golfer. In both scenarios, the golfer whose ball was in motion at the time of the collision must play her ball from where it comes to rest.
What is scenario 1 in golf?
Scenario 1: Neither Ball, or Just One Ball, on the Green. This could mean the shot in question was a tee shot, or an approach played into a green, or any other scenario other than when both balls were on the green prior to making the stroke. For example, your fellow-competitor hits a tee shot, then you hit yours, ...
Is there a penalty for hitting a golf ball in match play?
In match play, there is no penalty. In stroke play, it's a 2-stroke penalty to the player whose ball was in motion when the balls collided. Repeat: It's not a penalty against the golfer whose ball was at rest when it was hit; the penalty is against the golfer whose ball was in motion when the collision happened.
What happens if you hit a ball on the fairway?
On the Fairway. If your ball strikes a fellow players ball on the fairway by accident, both players will play from where their balls lie. There will be no penalty incurred. Playing onto the green.
Do you get a penalty for hitting a competitor's ball on the green?
There will be no penalty incurred, and in match play, also no penalty. On the Green. If you putt your ball, and it strikes a competitors ball (which is also on the green) you will incur a 2 shot penalty (stroke play only). Your ball will be played from where it lies, and your friend's ball returned to its original resting position.
What about more common circumstances?
There are two occasions when you wouldn’t play it as it lies under Rule 11.1b.
Have a question for our Rules of Golf expert?
Despite the simplification of the Rules of Golf at the beginning of 2019, there are still some that leave us scratching our heads. And as I’ve passed the R&A’s level 2 rules exam with distinction, I am more than happy to help.
What is the rule for a golf ball to stay in motion?
After looking at the regulations put in by the USGA, rule 11.1b essentially states that unless the object that obstructed the ball-in-motion is a moving object (such as an animal, person, etc.), the ball must stay where it is. This is because the object should be taken into consideration before the putt was made.
What happens when a golf ball hits another golf ball into the hole?
What happens when a golf ball hits another ball into the hole? If the ball that is in play hits a ball that is at rest and then proceeds to roll into the hole, then it counts as a holed ball. However, if the ball at rest is holed, it must be replaced, and positioned back to its original position.
What happens when the red ball collides with the blue ball?
As you can see, after the red ball collides with the blue ball (noted by the blue dot and blue arrow) , it then goes into the hole. The ball in play is counted as a holed ball, and no further action is required. The ball in blue must be placed back onto its original spot on the green.
Why does the ball at rest have to be put back into its original spot?
The ball at rest must be put back into its original spot for two reasons: A player’s ball can not be moved once it is at rest. The ball can only move when it is that player’s turn. An opponent could deliberately hit another player’s ball to put them at a disadvantage.
Can you get penalized for hitting a ball on the green?
According to the USGA’s rules on accidental ball movement on the green, there is no penalty incurred for either player if a ball is accidentally hit. This means that if your opponent accidentally hits your ball while it’s on the green, neither of you would get a penalty. This change in ruling is actually quite new.
Is the ball at rest counted as a holed ball?
Furthermore, the ball at rest is not counted as a holed ball.
What happens when a golf ball lies through the green?
When the ball lies “through the green” (i.e., just about anywhere that’s not the tee, the green or a hazard), interference caused by abnormal ground conditions (such as casual water) or immovable obstructions (like cart paths) includes the stance, and you’re entitled to relief.
What happens when you hit your opponent's ball in match play?
In match play, however, there’s a potential twist: If your ball hits your opponent’s ball when they’re both in motion, and he’s played out of turn, you can call a do-over on these simultaneous shots and restore both balls to their original positions.
What is the rule for stroke play?
Rule 19-5b states that when a player’s ball in motion is deflected by another player’s ball in motion (neither one played from the putting green), each must play the ball as it lies without penalty.
What happens if you don't move the ball back in golf?
However, the player whose ball was struck can incur a two-stroke penalty in stroke play or loss of hole in match play (which is kind of insane) if they don't move the ball back. If neither player saw the collision and couldn't have known about it, there's no penalty for not moving the ball back.
Do you get a penalty for a collision between two balls?
You don 't get a penalty under Rule 18-5, which says that when a collision happens between two balls and both aren't already on the putting surface that the player whose ball collided with the ball at rest plays their ball wherever it ends up stopping.
Is there a penalty for hitting a ball in match play?
In match play, under Rule 19-5, there is actually no penalty for the collision. In stroke play, though, there is a two-stroke penalty to the player who hit the shot that led to the collision with the ball at rest. Under this scenario, the same thing still happens to next shots.
Buffly
When player A lands on the green and, player B hits their approach into player A's ball does player A have the option to replace the ball in its original position or play it as it lies?
Kenny B
When player A lands on the green and, player B hits their approach into player A's ball does player A have the option to replace the ball in its original position or play it as it lies?
Middler
No option. Must be replaced as close to original spot as possible. B places as it lies.
DaveP043
I have only one thing to add to the other answers. Please please please learn how to find the rules online, download the app for your phone, and learn how to find things in the rules.
Buffly
Thank you @DaveP043 @Lacassem @Middler and @Kenny B for confirming that for me. I was pretty sure and you helped secure it.
DaveP043
Thank you @DaveP043 @Lacassem @Middler and @Kenny B for confirming that for me. I was pretty sure and you helped secure it.
Kenny B
I'm not so sure they actually know the rules. The spend every minute of their lives learning to hit the ball, and 5 minutes learning the rules.
Can You Change Golf Balls On The Green?
On the putting green when you mark and lift your ball, you must replace that same ball to finish out the hole. You can use a new ball when starting a hole or use a different ball when taking relief, including free and penalty relief.
Are You Allowed To Switch Golf Balls?
You can always use a new ball when switching a hole, or you can substitute a different ball any time you take relief, including free and penalty relief. Unless the one-ball local rule is in effect, the substituted ball can be of any brand. If you switch before completing a hole, there is a risk of suffering a penalty or disqualified for cheating.
Is There A Penalty For Hitting Another Golf Ball On The Green?
I f you putt a ball and it hits a competitor’s ball which is on the green, you will incur a two shop penalty (stroke play) only. The ball will be played from where it lies, with the hit ball being returned to its original resting position. In match play, there is no penalty.
What is relief in golf?
Rule: Under Rule 13.1F, you are required to take relief if your ball ends up on the wrong green. The rule also states that you must take relief if your intended stance is interfered with by the wrong green. “When there is interference by a wrong green, you must not play the ball as it lies,” the rule says. “Instead, you must take free relief by ...
Is there relief under the USGA rule if interference exists only because you choose a club, type of
USGA. However, the rule goes on to clarify that “there is no relief under this rule if interference exists only because you choose a club, type of stance or swing or direction of play that is clearly unreasonable under the circumstances.”.

The Ball at Rest vs. The Ball in Motion
Why Does The ‘Ball-In-Motion’ Stay Where It Rolls?
- A question that came to my mind was, if the ball in motion, is obstructed by an object, how come the golfer doesn’t get to redo their shot? After looking at the regulations put in by the USGA, rule 11.1b essentially statesthat unless the object that obstructed the ball-in-motion is a moving object (such as an animal, person, etc.), the ball must stay where it is. This is because the object shoul…
Why Does The Ball-At-Rest Need to Be Replaced?
- The ball at rest must be put back into its original spotfor two reasons: 1. A player’s ball can not be moved once it is at rest. The ball can only move when it is that player’s turn. 1. An opponent could deliberately hit another player’s ball to put them at a disadvantage. To help you understand why this rule is in place, say for example, you and your opponent are on the green, and rather than ai…
Is There A Penalty For Hitting Another Golf Ball on The Green?
- According to the USGA’s rules on accidental ball movementon the green, there is no penalty incurred for either player if a ball is accidentally hit. This means that if your opponent accidentally hits your ball while it’s on the green, neither of you would get a penalty. This change in ruling is actually quite new. The USGA says that many of these n...