Moving a Ball in Play

photo credit: star5112   Moving a ball in play during the address violates USGA. Rule 18-2(b) and results in a one stroke penalty.  The ball has to be replaced to it’s original position. 

The above rule does not apply if a ball that falls off a tee after it has been place there by the player.  If the ball is accidentally bumped off the tee by the club, as long as it was unintentional, there is no penalty.  A ball on a tee is not yet in play until after it has been intentionally hit. 

When on the green, once the ball has been marked it is not in play.  As soon as the ball is placed back on the green and the marker is removed, the ball is considered to be back in play.