What is the penalty for accidentally moving a ball or marker on the putting green?

When a ball or marker is accidentally moved on the putting green, the rules of golf state that there is no penalty. This is due to the understanding that movements that occur unintentionally during normal play are not considered infractions. Golf rules are designed to ensure fairness and make allowances for such accidental occurrences.

In this case, if a player accidentally moves their ball or marker while addressing the ball or in any other situation, they can simply return the ball or marker to its original spot without incurring any penalty. This reflects the notion that the game should allow for mistakes that do not affect the overall integrity of competition.

The other options involve penalties or actions that are not applicable in this scenario, as the specific rule related to the putting green allows for an accidental movement without penalty. Not needing to apply a stroke or restart the hole reinforces the spirit of the game, ensuring that players are not unduly punished for minor errors related to ball placement.