Marking the ball off the green?

[Skypilot]

Playing with my brother the other day he landed his shot onto the apron then went and marked the ball and picked it up to check it.
It was just one of those unthinking things and not because it was impeding mine or anything.
I pointed out that he shouldn't have done it as he's 3 foot from the green.
"Oops" say he and replaced it.


What would be the penalty under proper playing rules?

EDIT
Oops - Should have posted this in the Rules section.

 

[Region3]

1 shot penalty.

Rule 18-2



Except as permitted by the Rules

when a player’s ball is in play, if

(i) the player, his partner or either of their caddies:

• lifts or moves the ball,
• touches it purposely (except with a club in the act of addressing the ball), or
• causes the ball to move, or

(ii) the equipment of the player or his partner causes the ball to move

, the player incurs a penalty of one stroke.

If the ball is moved, it must be replaced, unless the movement of the ball occurs after the player has begun the stroke or the backward movement of the club for the stroke and the stroke is made.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Though note

12-2 Lifting Ball for Identification

If a player believes that a ball at rest might be his, but he cannot identify it, the player may lift the ball for identification, without penalty. The right to lift a ball for identification is in addition to the actions permitted under Rule 12-1.

 

[North Mimms]

Having done this twice during board trophy rounds, I know the answer to this one!

 

[louise_a]

I did this once and was told, well you will not do that again...but I did.

 

[duncan mackie]

Though note

12-2 Lifting Ball for Identification

If a player believes that a ball at rest might be his, but he cannot identify it, the player may lift the ball for identification, without penalty. The right to lift a ball for identification is in addition to the actions permitted under Rule 12-1.

So you are suggesting that he be given a 2 stroke penalty are you?

Touch harsh...

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

So you are suggesting that he be given a 2 stroke penalty are you?

Touch harsh...

I'm confused. Doesn't what I quoted from Rule 12 allow a player to do what was described in the OP with no penalty?

marked the ball and picked it up to check it

I read that as meaning he picked it up to check that it was his ball...

 

[duncan mackie]

I'm confused. Doesn't what I quoted from Rule 12 allow a player to do what was described in the OP with no penalty?

marked the ball and picked it up to check it

I read that as meaning he picked it up to check that it was his ball...

But 12.2 requires you to fulfil additional steps, which clearly he didn't here.

However, I was slightly exaggerating things in that although the general penalty for breaching 12.2 is loh/2 strokes the rules (sensibly) bring it back in line with 18-2 for a technical breach.

Note (in your style...) that this also includes lifting it to identify without good reason!