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The wind blew my ball during my downstroke on a downhill, downwind putt. Since I was worried about the wind, I didn’t ground my putter, if that matters. The putt itself wound up being awful  …  but did it also result in a penalty, especially given that the ball had moved closer to the hole? —Bryan Rehm, via email 

If it’s any consolation, Bryan, your awful putt makes for an excellent query. We need to unwind this bit by bit.

The ball started to move after you had started your backswing, so, at this point, under Rule 10.1d, there is no penalty to you for playing a moving ball (whereas normally you are not allowed to make a stroke at a ball while it’s moving).

Since, per your description, you completed the stroke, you play the ball from where it comes to rest, whether it was wind or you that caused the ball to start moving, per Rule 9.1b. The last bit is whether you’re on the hook for a penalty stroke for causing the ball to move. From your description the answer is no, because if nothing else — in part because you didn’t take an action like grounding your club near the ball— it is not known or virtually certain you caused it to move.

Thus, we treat it as having been moved by natural forces, and so this is the rare instance where you played a moving ball with zero penalty. Anyway, hope you made the next one.

For more movement guidance from our guru, read on …

My pulled approach shot plugged in a greenside bunker, high up its steep face and just under the lip. As the group examined my predicament, sand gave way, dislodging the ball, which then rolled to the base of the bunker. We agreed that I play it from there, as replacing it would have been next to impossible — but I’m waiting to enter my score until hearing from you.  —Johnny M. Provost, Myrtle Beach, SC 

When you say “examined,” does that mean someone caused the ball to move — either you or another player at your direction? Because, ay, there’s the rub.

If it is not known or virtually certain who or what caused the ball to move, then it would be treated as being moved by natural forces and playing the ball as it lay was correct.

If instead someone caused the ball to move, it should have been replaced under either Rule 9.4 (you did it) or 9.6 (they did it).

If the ball doesn’t stay put, then you try once more. After that, per Rule 14.2e you find the nearest spot where it will stay at rest in the bunker and no nearer the hole.

So, if that’s the case, you played from a wrong place and get two penalty strokes in stroke play. Either way, don’t give us any lip!

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