2008 #12 When Should You Replace Your Ball?

THE SCENE:
You have hit your ball twice on #12, a long straight par-5 hole. A competitor hits her second shot. Everyone watches as the ball soars high into the air, then lands, on the fairway, rolls towards your ball then bumps it about 3 feet to the right. The competitor says, “Oh, I’m sorry. My ball hit yours. You will have to replace it.”

What would you do?
A. You play your ball as it lies. Only when your ball is moved on the green do you have to replace it.
B. You replace your ball. By doing so you avoid a 2-stroke penalty.

B is correct.
Look at Rule #18

#18 Ball at Rest Moved
18-5. By Another Ball
If a ball in play and at rest is moved by another ball in motion after a stroke, the moved ball must be replaced.

*Penalty for Breach of Rule:Match play - Loss of hole; Stroke play - Two strokes

When your ball is moved by another ball, you must replace it. And there are no exceptions. Whether your ball is lying on the green, the fairway or in a hazard, if it is moved by another ball you have to replace it. And if you fail to do so you will incur a 2-stroke penalty in stroke play or a loss of hole penalty in match play.

REMEMBER: If your ball is moved by another ball, replace it.