Simpler Rules: Rule 19

Rule 19: Ball in Motion Deflected or Stopped 

19-1. By Outside Agency or Obstruction

If a player’s ball in motion is deflected or stopped accidentally by any outside agency or by an obstruction, there is no penalty and the ball must be played as it lies, except: 

(a)   If a player’s ball in motion after a stroke other than on the putting green comes to rest in or on any moving outside agency, the ball must be placed, as near as possible to the spot directly under the place where the ball came to rest in or on the outside agency, but not nearer the hole, and  

(b)   If a player’s ball in motion after a stroke on the putting green is deflected or stopped by, or comes to rest in or on, any moving outside agency, the stroke is cancelled. The ball must be replaced and replayed.  

If the ball is not immediately recoverable, another ball may be substituted. 

Exception: Ball striking person attending or holding up flagstick or anything carried by him – see Rule 17-3b. 

If a player’s ball in motion has been deliberately deflected or stopped by an outside agency:

(a)    after a stroke from anywhere other than on the putting green, the spot where the ball would have come to rest must be estimated. If that spot is: 

(i)    through the green or in a hazard, the ball must be placed as near as possible to that spot;

(ii)   out of bounds, the player must proceed under Rule 27-1; or  

(iii)  on the putting green, the ball must be placed on that spot.  

(b)    after a stroke on the putting green, the stroke is cancelled. The ball must be replaced and replayed. 

If the outside agency is a fellow-competitor or his caddie, Rule 1-2 applies to the fellow-competitor. 

(Player’s ball deflected or stopped by another ball – see Rule 19-5)

 

19-2. By Player, Partner, Caddie or Equipment

If a player’s ball is accidentally deflected or stopped by him, his partner or either of their caddies or equipment, the player incurs a penalty of one stroke. The ball must be played as it lies, except when it comes to rest in or on the clothing or equipment of the player, his partner or either of their caddies, in which case the ball must be placed, as near as possible to the spot directly under the place where the ball came to rest, but not nearer the hole. 

Exception: Ball striking person attending or holding up flagstick or anything carried by him – see Rule 17-3b. 

(Ball purposely deflected or stopped by player, partner or caddie – see Rule 1-2)

 

19-3. By Opponent, Caddie or Equipment in Match Play

If a player’s ball is accidentally deflected or stopped by an opponent, his caddie or his equipment, there is no penalty. The player may, before another stroke is made by either side, cancel the stroke and play a ball, without penalty, as nearly as possible at the spot from which the original ball was last played (Rule 20-5) or he may play the ball as it lies. However, if the ball has come to rest in or on the clothing or equipment of the opponent or his caddie, the ball must be placed, as near as possible to the spot directly under the place where the ball came to rest, but not nearer the hole. 

Exception: Ball striking person attending or holding up flagstick or anything carried by him – see Rule 17-3b. 

(Ball purposely deflected or stopped by opponent or caddie – see Rule 1-2)

 

19-4. By Fellow-Competitor, Caddie or Equipment in Stroke Play

The provisions of Rule 19-1 apply. 

Exception: Ball striking person attending or holding up flagstick or anything carried by him – see Rule 17-3b. 

 

19-5. By Another Ball

a. At Rest

If a player’s ball in motion after a stroke is deflected or stopped by a ball in play and at rest, the player must play his ball as it lies. In match play, there is no penalty. In stroke play, there is no penalty, unless both balls lay on the putting green prior to the stroke, in which case the player incurs a penalty of two strokes. 

b. In Motion

If a player’s ball in motion after a stroke other than on the putting green is deflected or stopped by another ball in motion after a stroke, the player must play his ball as it lies, without penalty. 

If a player’s ball in motion after a stroke on the putting green is deflected or stopped by another ball in motion after a stroke on the putting green, 

(a)    the stroke of the player whose turn it was is cancelled and the ball must be replaced and replayed, without penalty; 

(b)    the player who played out of turn incurs a penalty of loss of hole in match play or two strokes in stroke play and the ball must be played as it lies. 

Note: Nothing in this Rule overrides the provisions of Rule 10-1 (Order of Play in Match Play) or Rule 16-1f (Making Stroke While Another Ball in Motion).