Ball Moved/touched by player.

Im confused a bit by this rule. (R18-2)
The example video on randa.org seems to contradict the ruling above it.

A player is taking a practice swing on the green and accidentally hits the ball a few inches with the toe of the club. My reading is that he should replace the ball.

I remember playing a match years ago as a juvenile.
On one of the putting greens I touched off the ball with my putter while addressing it. The ball didnt actually move, it rocked.
The opponents coach informed me that I had incurred a 1 stroke penalty. Iw as about 12 and didnt know any better but I think I was done.

Reading R18-2-a(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)"

It seems to suggest that I was definitely done out of a stroke. If you touch the ball while addressing it you should just replace it without penalty?
So what is the rule?
If Im on the fairway and while Im addressing the ball I hit off it, am I penalised?
Does it depend on if I have taken my stance? Have I taken my stance if I have not addressed the ball??

Although he hasn't made a stroke (as there was no intention of striking the ball), nevertheless he has caused the ball to move (last part of a (i). 1 stroke penalty and it must be replaced.

You were done out of a stroke. 1) The ball did not move. It oscillated which is ok. 2) You were in the act of addressing it

Yes, because you caused it to move. The ball must be replaced. Touching during address is ok (see above) but moving is the problem.

See the definition

Addressing the Ball
A player has “addressed the ball’’ when he has taken his stance and has also grounded his club, except that in a hazard a player has addressed the ball when he has taken his stance.

The ball is always replaced unless the player has started his backward swing or forward stroke AND the stroke is completed. In which case there is a penalty stroke but the ball is not replaced.

But he hadnt addressed the ball, right?
But you are saying it doesnt matter as he was not in the process of addressing it?

I've always thought the rule re simply accidentally moving your ball could be made a little clearer. It gets lost amongst all the other possiblities

Let's take it one step at a time.

1) He hasn't addressed it so 18-2b doesn't apply so it must be 18-2a)

When a player’s ball is in play, if:

(i) the player, his partner or either of their caddies lifts or moves it
yes so far

, touches it purposely (except with a club in the act of addressing it)
he is not addressing it so not in this case

or causes it to move except as permitted by a Rule,
not in this case

or (ii) equipment of the player or his partner causes the ball to move,
not in this case

the player incurs a penalty of one stroke.

If the ball is moved, it must be replaced
Yes in this case

unless the movement of the ball occurs after the player has begun the stroke or the backward movement of the club for the stroke and the stroke is made.

not in this case because what he did was not a stroke as defined, he was simply swinging his club

Under the Rules there is no penalty if a player accidentally causes his ball to move in the following circumstances: (not listed here)

Not listed because none of these circumstances apply.

yeah, it is not very clear and involves a bit of jumping between rules.

So am I correct in saying that if, at any place on the course while setting up/addressing the ball I move the ball I can replace it without penalty?

No. You may touch it without penalty but you may not move it. If it moves you must replace it.

Ah ok, I think I get it now.
"touches it purposely (except with a club in the act of addressing it)"
The touches is important here, I was reading touches but thinking touches and the ball moves.

And just to add one thing - and hopefully save someone an incorrect penalty - you are (almost) completely safe on the teeing ground.

If the ball is on the tee and falls off, whether touched when addressing it, knocked off by a careless practice swing, blown off, or picked up because you've forgotten to give it a rub with your lucky rabbits foot or whatever, don't worry just replace it.

No matter what your playing partners might say - especially about the first two in that list - the ball is not yet in play and there is no penalty and no stroke is incurred.

Ofcourse once you've made a stroke - even an air shot - the ball is play and the rules about touching & moving it are in force.

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You've got it

They should definitely update that to explicitly state that the ball cannot move(come to rest in a new place)