The ruling in plain English
Usually play it from its new spot without penalty. Put it back if it was on the putting green and had already been lifted and replaced on the spot it moved from. After a dropped, placed or replaced ball comes to rest, put it back if wind moves it into another area of the course (such as from the fairway into a bunker) or out of bounds.
Apply the Rule on the course
On the putting green, a ball lifted and replaced on the spot from which it later moves must be put back on that spot, whatever caused the move. A ball put in play by dropping, placing or replacing must be put back if natural forces move it from rest into another course area or out of bounds.
- 1
On the putting green, had you already lifted and replaced the ball? If yes, put it back where it was.
- 2
After a drop, placement or replacement, did the ball come to rest before wind moved it into a different area (such as a bunker) or out of bounds? If yes, put it back.
- 3
If neither put-it-back case applies, play it from the new spot. Wind itself brings no penalty.
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What else matters
There is no penalty merely because natural forces moved the ball. Playing from the wrong spot after an exception can bring the general penalty.
Exceptions
- On the green, marking alone is not enough: this exception applies after you have lifted and replaced the ball on the spot from which it later moves.
- Fairway to bunker is a change of area. Fairway to rough is not: both are part of the general area.
Common mistakes
- Replacing every wind-moved ball automatically.
- Playing from the new spot after a marked and replaced putting-green ball moves.
- Confusing wind with an outside influence that physically moves the ball.
Remember: Wind normally means new spot; check the two replacement exceptions.
R&A Rule 9.3
Independent plain-English guide. The current Rules, Interpretations and applicable Local Rules control.