If a caddie accidentally moves a player's ball while removing a loose impediment, what is the penalty?

If a caddie accidentally moves a player's ball while removing a loose impediment, what is the penalty?

• A. No penalty
• B. Penalty is incurred
• C. Disqualification
• D. Warning

Answer: (B)

A caddie is considered an extension of the player, so the player is responsible for their actions. When a ball is moved by a person in the player's group while performing a routine task like removing a loose impediment, it counts as the player incurring a stroke penalty. The remedy is to replace the ball and add one penalty stroke to the player's score. This isn’t a warning or disqualification, and it isn’t no penalty, because the movement was caused by someone connected to the player.

A caddie is considered an extension of the player, so the player is responsible for their actions. When a ball is moved by a person in the player's group while performing a routine task like removing a loose impediment, it counts as the player incurring a stroke penalty. The remedy is to replace the ball and add one penalty stroke to the player's score. This isn’t a warning or disqualification, and it isn’t no penalty, because the movement was caused by someone connected to the player.