What penalty will a golfer incur after hitting a golfer 's ball during a putt ?
A ball elsewhere on the course may be cleaned when lifted unless it was lifted under Rule 5-3 , Rule 12-2 , or Rule 22 . :* A player who cleans his ball in violation of this Rule incurs a one - stroke penalty unless another Rule governing the lifting of the ball prescribes a penalty , in which case there is no additional penalty under Rule 21 .