Your ball is sitting perched on the putting green, just a few feet from the hole for a birdie. As you read the line, a sudden gust of wind sweeps across the green and rolls your ball two feet further away. What do you do? This common, often confusing scenario, is exactly what we'll clear up. This guide covers the official rules for what happens when the wind moves a golf ball on the tee, on the green, and anywhere else on the course, so you can play on with confidence.
Before we get into specific situations, we need to understand the fundamental principle that governs these rulings. The Rules of Golf make a clear distinction between a ball being moved by a natural force and a ball being moved by the player, their opponent, or an outside influence (like another golfer's ball or a spectator).
Natural forces are elements like wind, water, or even the effects of gravity on a steep slope. Generally speaking, when a natural force is the cause for a ball moving, there is no penalty, and you simply adapt to the new situation. Conversely, if you, your caddie, or your equipment cause your ball to move, a penalty is often involved. This single distinction is the foundation for almost every ruling on this topic.
The correct procedure for a ball moved by wind depends entirely on where your ball was resting on the course. Let's walk through the three key areas you'll encounter during a round.
This is the most straightforward scenario and a great place to start. Imagine you've just placed your ball on the tee and you're stepping back to take a practice swing. A strong gust of wind blows your ball clean off the tee.
The Ruling (Rule 6.2b(6)): No penalty. You can simply pick up your ball and tee it up again anywhere within the teeing area. This is because a ball is not yet "in play" until a stroke has been made at it from the teeing area.
This is where things can get a little more detailed, and it's home to one of the most significant modern rule changes. The ruling here completely depends on one simple question: had you already marked, lifted, and replaced your ball?
Let's go back to our opening scenario. Your ball is on the green, three feet from the cup. You haven't touched it or marked it yet. The wind blows, and it now sits five feet from the cup.
The Ruling (Rule 13.1d): You must play the ball from its new spot. Since you had not yet lifted and replaced your ball, its original spot is not "owned" by you. The ball's new position, caused by the wind, is its new place a rest.
Now, let's change one detail. Your ball is three feet away. You place your small coin or marker behind it, pick the ball up to clean it, and place it back on its original spot. You remove your marker. As you prepare to putt, the wind blows your ball five feet away.
The Ruling (Rule 13.1d): Because you had previously marked, lifted, and replaced your ball, you "own" that spot. If a natural force like wind moves it after this point, you are required to replace the ball on its original spot.
This distinction is so important. This rule was simplified to remove the penalty that used to apply in this situation, helping to prevent golfers from being punished for a random act of nature.
The "General Area" is a term that covers most of the course: the fairway, the rough, and any "natural" ground. This also applies when your ball is resting in a bunker.
The Scenario: You hit a great drive that lands in the middle of a wide, rolling fairway. As you walk towards it, you see a swirling wind push your ball from its resting place, causing it to roll down a slope and into the first cut of rough.
The Ruling (Rule 9.3): This is treated exactly like a ball on the green that has not been marked. If your ball at rest is moved by natural forces, you play it from its new spot without penalty.
The same logic applies if you're in a sandy bunker and a gust of wind causes your ball to roll to a different part of the sand. You einfach play it as it lies from the new position.
To fully understand the "wind" rule, it's helpful to compare it to the rule for when you are the cause of the movement. Let's say you're standing near your ball in the rough, and you accidentally touch and move it with the clubhead during a practice swing.
The Ruling for Accidental Movement by Player (Rule 9.4b): In most situations, you get a one-stroke penalty and you must replace the ball on its original spot. If you play from the wrong spot, it can result in a more serious penalty.
There are some exceptions (like accidentally moving your ball while searching for it, which has no penalty), but the general principle is clear: if you move it, there's usually a penalty, and you must replace it. If the wind moves it, there's no penalty, and you usually play from the new spot.
Keep these simple points in your head or jot them down for your next blustery day on the course.
The rules for a ball moved by wind have been simplified to be more fair and logical for the player. The basic idea is that if a natural force moves your ball, you aren't penalized and you usually play it from its new location, with the one major exception being a ball that you had already marked and replaced on the putting green.
When you're out on the course, a tricky rules question can stop you in your tracks and fill you with uncertainty. We built Caddie AI to be that instant, on-demand golf expert in your pocket. Instead of trying to remember the specifics of Rule 13.1d when the wind is howling, you can just ask your question and get a simple, 24/7 answer in seconds, so you can play the right way and focus on your shot, not the rulebook.
Thinking about hosting a golf tournament fundraiser is the first swing, executing it successfully is what gets the ball in the hole. This guide will walk you through the entire process, step-by-step, from laying the initial groundwork months in advance to watching your happy golfers tee off. We’ll cover everything from securing sponsors and setting your budget to planning the on-course fun that makes an event unforgettable.
A golf handicap does more than just give you bragging rights (or a reason to demand strokes from your friends) - it’s the game’s great equalizer and the single best way to track your improvement. This guide breaks down what a handicap is, how the supportive math behind a handicap index a is, and exactly how you can get one for yourself. We’ll look at everything from Course Rating to Adjusted Gross Score, helping you feel confident both on the course and in the clubhouse.
The compression of a Pinnacle Rush golf ball is one of its most defining features, engineered specifically to help a huge swath of golfers get more distance and enjoyment from their game. We'll break down exactly what its low compression means, who it's for, and how you can use that knowledge to shoot lower scores.
Figuring out which spikes go into your new (or old) pair of Puma golf shoes can feel like a puzzle, but it’s much simpler than you think. The key isn't the brand of the shoe, but the type of receptacle system they use. This guide will walk you through exactly how to identify your Puma's spike system, choose the perfect replacements for your game, and change them out like a pro.
The Golf Genius app is one of the best tools for managing and participating in competitive golf events, but figuring it out for the first time can feel like reading a new set of greens. This guide cuts through the confusion and shows you exactly how to use the app as a player. We’ll cover everything from logging into your tournament and entering scores to checking the live leaderboard so you can enjoy the competition without any tech headaches.
Walking onto the first tee with sweaty palms, worried you’ll be a good partner to paly wtih...or even asked back again ...We’ve all been there - trust me! The real trick of feeling confortable... is about how you handle you’re ready to plsy. THIS guide explains the simple rules of the rode to show you hnow t play golf while staying calm relaxed and focused... an having much morse fun while you,',re aat it? You'll also play with confidence a dn make fiendsa while you're at i
Just ask a question or share a photo and Caddie gives personalized guidance for every shot - anytime, anywhere.
