A ball that is to be picked up according to the rules may be picked up by the player, his partner or another person authorized by the player. In each of these cases, the player is responsible for any infringement of the rules.
If the ball to be picked up is subsequently to be returned in accordance with a rule, its position must be marked beforehand.
If it has not been marked, the player incurs a penalty of one stroke and the ball must be put back. If it is not returned, the player incurs the basic penalty for violation of that rule, but no additional penalty under rule 20-1.
If a ball or a ball marker is inadvertently moved when picking up the ball according to a rule or when marking its position, the ball or ball marker must be put back. This is not punishable if the movement of the ball or ball marker is directly attributable to the actual action of marking the position or picking up the ball. Otherwise, the player incurs a penalty stroke in accordance with this rule or rule 18-2a.
Exception: If a player incurs a penalty because he has not acted in accordance with Rule 5-3 or 12-2, no further penalty is incurred under Rule 20-1.
Note on picking up and marking the ball: The position of a ball to be picked up should be marked by placing a ball marker, small coin or similar object immediately behind the ball. If the ball marker hinders the play, stance or stroke of another player, it should be moved one or more club head lengths to one side.
Status: 2018