If you or your caddie lift your ball at rest or your actions or your caddie's actions cause it to move, your ball must be replaced on its original spot (which if not known must be estimated), except:
When you lift the ball under a Rule to take relief or to replace the ball on a different spot, or
When your ball moves only after you have started the stroke or the backswing for a stroke and then go on to make the stroke.
If you or your caddie lift or deliberately touch your ball at rest or cause it to move, you get one penalty stroke.But there are five exceptions where you get no penalty for doing so:Exception 1 – When You are Allowed to Lift or Move Ball.Exception 2 – Accidental Movement in Trying to Find or Identify Ball.Exception 3 – Accidental Movement on Putting Green.Exception 4 – Accidental Movement Anywhere Except on Putting Green While Applying Rule.Exception 5 – Ball Moves After Coming to Rest Against You or Your Equipment.
