In what situation does a player incur no penalty while moving a ball?

A player incurs no penalty while moving a ball when trying to locate it. Under the Rules of Golf, if a player inadvertently moves their ball while searching for it, there is no penalty incurred, and the ball must be replaced in its original position. This rule encourages players to find their ball without the fear of penalty, fostering fair play and a smoother pace of the game.

In contrast, during a practice swing, if a player's club strikes the ball and moves it, this would generally incur a penalty unless specific conditions apply (for example, if it's within the context of a being in a hazard). In match play, penalty rules are often related to actions that either hinder or help the opponent, but simply moving a ball while searching does not bring about a penalty. When advised by an opponent, moving the ball does not automatically incur a penalty either; however, it largely depends on the situation, and if the player moves it for reasons outside of searching, it could lead to a breach of the rules. Thus, the scenario of looking for the ball stands out as the only case with an unequivocal lack of penalty.