When it is known or virtually certain that you caused the ball to move (or your caddie, partner or partner’s caddie) the first thing is that you must replace the ball. The only time you would not replace the ball would be if the ball started moving after you started your backswing and then completed the stroke.

After replacing the ball, then you can determine if you get a penalty. By default, when you cause your ball to move you get a one-stroke penalty, but there are a number of exceptions when you would not be penalized. These are treated as five separate exceptions in the Rule:

• When you’re allowed to lift the ball. Obviously, if you’re in a situation that the Rules allow you to lift the ball, there is no penalty for causing it to move. For example: if your ball is on a cart path, you are not penalized for lifting the ball to take relief.
• Accidentally While Trying to Find the Ball. There is no penalty for accidentally causing the ball to move while you are trying to find or identify it. It’s difficult to take care not to move the ball if you don’t know where it is.
• Accidentally on the Putting Green. If your ball is on the putting green, if you accidentally move the ball there is no penalty, no matter how the accident happened. You still get a penalty if you deliberately touch or move the ball on the putting green without marking it first.
• Accidentally While Applying a Rule. Certain situations require you to take reasonable actions to apply the Rules and if you accidentally move the ball during this process, there is no penalty. This includes measuring, determining if relief is allowed or where to take relief and also marking, lifting or replacing the ball.
• When the Ball Moves After Coming to Rest Against Player or Equipment.  Clearly, if the ball comes to rest against you or your club, you’re going to need to move before making your next stroke. If the ball moves as a result, put it back but there’s no penalty. (But see Rule 11 for a ball in motion accidentally or deliberately stopped as you may end up with a penalty or playing the ball from somewhere else).