Questions on etiquette and rules of golf

Question:

There is now no penalty on the PGA Tour if a ball is accidentally moved on the putting green. When did this change?

Answer:

Effective Jan. 1 of this year the committee in charge of a competition can implement a new local rule which eliminates the one-stroke penalty on the putting green for certain accidental breaches of Rule 18-2 (Ball at Rest Moved by Player, Caddie or Equipment). Players should note this is on the putting green only and the ball movement must be accidental. After the movement the player must still ensure his or her ball is returned to its original position. Failure to do so would result in a penalty for playing from a wrong place.

Golf Canada, GNL, the PGA Tour and the World Golf Championships have implemented this local rule for all their competitions. It was in effect at the most recent WGC Dell Match Play. In a playoff for one spot among three players, Tyrrell Hatton accidentally moved his ball on the putting green. To avoid penalty under the local rule, he must replace his ball from where it was moved. But, not knowing the rule, he played it from its new position, incurring a 2-stroke penalty. It was enough to eliminate him from the playoff.