A caddie accidentally moves and replaces a player's ball while removing a loose impediment from the fairway. Which statement is true?

A caddie accidentally moves and replaces a player's ball while removing a loose impediment from the fairway. Which statement is true?

• A. False
• B. True
• C. Only if it occurs in rough
• D. Only if it results in a stroke

Answer: (B)

When a ball at rest is moved by an outside influence, there is no penalty to the player and the ball must be replaced on its original spot. A caddie moving the ball while removing a loose impediment is considered an outside influence, so if that happens, you simply replace the ball where it was and continue—no stroke penalty. The location on the fairway or rough and whether a stroke would occur don’t change this rule, so the described situation is true.

When a ball at rest is moved by an outside influence, there is no penalty to the player and the ball must be replaced on its original spot. A caddie moving the ball while removing a loose impediment is considered an outside influence, so if that happens, you simply replace the ball where it was and continue—no stroke penalty. The location on the fairway or rough and whether a stroke would occur don’t change this rule, so the described situation is true.