In stroke play, playing a wrong ball means two penalty strokes and you must correct the mistake by continuing with the original ball or properly taking relief. Strokes made at the wrong ball do not count. In match play, the penalty is loss of hole.
A wrong ball includes another player’s ball, an abandoned ball and your own ball when it is no longer in play. A provisional ball or second ball played under a rule is not automatically a wrong ball.
Correction in stroke play
Stop playing the wrong ball. Find and play the original ball if it is still in play, or proceed correctly under the applicable rule. Correct before making a stroke from the next teeing area, or before returning the scorecard on the final hole, to avoid disqualification.
Match play
The player loses the hole. If both players play a wrong ball during a hole, the result depends on who played first and whether the balls were exchanged, so apply Rule 6.3c carefully.
How to avoid it
- Put a distinctive identification mark on every ball.
- Tell the group the brand, model and number when helpful.
- Check the mark before every recovery shot from rough or trees.
- Use the identification procedure rather than guessing.
See When may you mark and clean a ball? for the checking procedure.
The essential point
Identify the ball before playing. If a mistake happens, stop immediately and correct it within the required time; the format determines the penalty.
Sources
The following official or specialist sources were used to verify this independently written guide.
- The R&A – official guidance Source used to verify the rules or factual information in this guide.
- The R&A – official guidance Source used to verify the rules or factual information in this guide.
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