contact with ball

[nazlax2]

my parnter in my league was waiting to chip his ball onto the green as another player was hitting. he took a couple of practice swings and accidentally hit the ball and moved it few feet to his right. is this a penalty? he was not addressing the ball and the rule book kept staing hiting on purpose.

[jvincent]

Yes it is a penalty.

Also, he needs to replace his ball in its original position before playing his next stroke.

[AAA]

18-2a
if:
(i) the player, his partner or either of their caddies lifts or moves it, touches it purposely (except with a club in the act of addressing it)
or causes it to move except as permitted by a Rule,
or (ii) equipment of the player or his partner causes the ball to move,
the player incurs a penalty of one stroke.