
What Is the Penalty for Hitting Someone Else's Ball in Golf?
- Stroke Play. The standard penalty for playing the wrong ball during stroke play is the loss of two strokes. ...
- Match Play. A player who hits someone else’s ball in match play loses the hole, according to Rule 15-3a. ...
- Double Jeopardy. ...
- Swing and a Miss. ...
What happens if you accidentally hit a golf ball in motion?
You’ve fallen foul of an exception to Rule 11.1a, Ball in Motion Accidentally Hits Person or Outside Influence, and it’s a two stroke penalty. What happens now? Well, the stroke counts and the ball must be played as it lies. The player whose ball you hit?
What happens if you hit the ball mid air in golf?
Rule 11.1a says, in these circumstances, there is no penalty to any player “if a player’s ball in motion accidentally hits any person or outside influence”. Both balls must be played as they lie, so just hope if you ever have a mid air collision that you get a soft landing.
What happens if you hit someone's golf ball on the Green?
There will be no penalty incurred, and in match play, also no penalty. 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 happens if my ball hits a fellow player’s Ball?
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.

What happens if a golfer's ball hits another ball?
There is no penalty when a ball played from off the putting green (chipping) moves another ball. However, in stroke play, when a ball played from the putting green hits another ball on the putting green the person making the stroke incurs a penalty of two strokes.
What happens if 2 golf balls collide?
Key Takeaways: When Two Golf Balls Collide 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. The golfer whose ball was already at rest must replace it, as best they can, back on its original spot.
Can you putt with a ball already in the hole?
Under the Rules of Golf, the golf ball is holed or considered to be in the hole when the ball "is both at rest within the circumference of the hole and the entire ball is below the level of the lip." So, that means a ball is not considered holed until the ball is completely in the cup and has remained in the hole.
Can you mark your ball before everyone is on the green?
So, yes, the pro can make everyone mark his or her ball, but that's not the same thing as declaring, “All balls on the green must be marked!” He might be better suited to a less customer-facing profession.
Is there a penalty for hitting another golf ball on the green in match play?
In stroke play only, if both balls lay on the putting green prior to the stroke, the player making the stroke incurs a penalty of two strokes (Rule 19-5a). The moved ball must be replaced (Rule 18-5) and the striking ball is played from where it came to rest. In match play there is no penalty.
What are the rules to golf?
What are the most important rules in golf?A player must play the ball as it lies.There is a maximum number of clubs allowed in a player's bag during play.A player must tee up their ball behind the tee markers.Unplayable lies cause a one stroke penalty.In competitive play, advice is not allowed.More items...
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 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 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 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 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.
Rules of Golf explained: Our expert says
While you’ll probably never have to extricate your ball from someone’s clothing, it’s far more likely a shot you hit might strike someone or something. (Remember to always shout ‘fore’!)
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.
Why should you mark your ball before hitting your shot?
Per Decision 18-3b/1, in match play, your pal should have asked you to mark your ball before he hit his shot, because it was “reasonably foreseeable” that he might hit your ball with his stroke. Because he didn’t, his errant shot costs him a penalty stroke.
How many strokes are allowed in a double hit penalty?
Per Rule 14-4, no matter how many times a ball is hit during the swing, the penalty is one stroke. So let’s add it up: one stroke for your partner’s tee shot, another one (not two) for the double-hit penalty, plus a third for stroke and distance. He’s hitting 4 off the tee.
What is the rule for marking a ball?
Rule 20-1 suggests marking your ball with a “small coin or other similar object.”. The Rules place no limit on the size, so go big with your marker if it makes you happy. Just remember to move your manhole cover to the side if it’s in your partner’s line.
What is a hole putt?
A holed putt is defined as a ball at rest within the circumference of the hole, with the entire ball below the level of the lip. Since your ball was at rest in the hole before your fellow competitor hit his putt, there’s no penalty for you or him.
Rules of Golf explained: Our expert says
While you’ll probably never have to extricate your ball from someone’s clothing, it’s far more likely a shot you hit might strike someone or something. (Remember to always shout ‘fore’!)
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.
Rules of Golf explained: Our expert says
This one makes me wince in club competitions. It’s such an avoidable penalty, yet time and time again I see people taking a chance for the sake of a second of housekeeping.
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.

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...