embedded ball rule

Question
Our par 3, #3 hole has a green that slopes uphill from front to back.  Occasionally a ball will embed towards the rear of the green, where there is more slope to the green.  After properly marking the ball and repairing the ball mark, the ball will not stay where the ball has been marked, but will roll towards the middle of the green. Can a player allow the ball to roll from it's marked location or does the player need to find relief at a location where the ball will not roll, no closer to the hole? At times, the nearest point of relief is off the green.  Thanks!

Answer
Steve,

The player cannot allow the ball to roll closer to the hole. Follow this procedure: (copied from the USGA web site)

(iii)On the Putting Green: If the ball lies on the putting green, the player must lift the ball and place it, without penalty, at the nearest point of relief that is not in a hazard or, if complete relief is impossible, at the nearest position to where it lay that affords maximum available relief from the condition, but not nearer the hole and not in a hazard. The nearest point of relief or maximum available relief may be off the putting green.

Thanks for the question.