Touching the ball at address

[WeekendHacker]

Always been slightly confused about this. If you touch the ball at address with your club (when in play, not on tee) and it doesn't move (maybe just oscilates in it's current position), is this a rule break as the ball hasn't technically moved from it's spot? If so, what's the stroke penalty and is it different on the green or elsewhere? I looked up a rule book, but it only mentions if it moves from it's spot to somewhere else. Also, from what I can gather if it does move in addressing it even a few milimetres there is a 1 stroke penalty and it has to be replaced where it was, can anyone confirm this? Cheers

 

[Fyldewhite]

If it doesn't move then it's no penalty. "Moved" in this instance is defined as coming to rest in a different position so "oscilating" doesn't count as moved.

If it does move (after address) then it's a penalty and replace.

 

[WeekendHacker]

Thanks chum