If natural forces (such as wind or water) cause a player's ball at rest to move:
- There is no penalty, and
- The ball must be played from its new spot.
Exception 1 - Ball on Putting Green Must Be Replaced If It Moves After Having Already Been Lifted and Replaced (See Rule 13.1d): If the player's ball on the putting green moves after the player had already lifted and replaced the ball on the spot from which it moved:
- The ball must be replaced on its original spot (which if not known must be estimated) (See Rule 14.2).
- This is true no matter what caused it to move (including natural forces).
Exception 2 - Ball at Rest Must Be Replaced If It Moves to Another Area of the Course or Out of Bounds After Being Dropped, Placed or Replaced: If the player puts the original ball or another ball into play by dropping, placing or replacing it, and natural forces cause the ball at rest to move and come to rest in another area of the course or out of bounds, the ball must be replaced on its original spot (which if not known must be estimated) (see Rule 14.2). But for a ball on the putting green that was replaced, see Exception 1.
Penalty for Playing Ball from a Wrong Place in Breach of Rule 9.3: General Penalty under 14.7a.
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