Is it a penalty if your ball falls off the tee?
By The Fairway Labs TeamReviewed
Off the tee & lost balls
Penalty: None
Is it a penalty if your ball falls off the tee?
PenaltyNone· under Rule 6.2b
What to do
- 1Ball falls off the tee (or is blown off) before any swing — no penalty.
- 2Re-tee the ball anywhere within the teeing area.
- 3Make your stroke as normal.
- 4If you’ve already swung and missed, that whiff counts as a stroke, not a free re-tee.
Based on the modern Rules of Golf (Rule 6.2b), as published by the USGA and The R&A and effective from the 2019 revision. Local rules can modify some situations — check the scorecard or with the committee when in doubt.
Related rulings
Get better at golf, one email at a time
Join the newsletter for new beginner guides, honest gear reviews, and tips that actually lower your scores. No spam, ever.