Question: I hit a ball that wasn’t mine…..what now?
Answer: This is one of the most common mistakes in junior golf and it carries a penalty. If you play the wrong ball:
- You incur a 2-stroke penalty in stroke play
- You must correct the mistake by going back and playing your original ball or proceeding under proper relief rules ->
- You must stop playing the wrong ball immediately
As soon as the mistake is identified. Whether by you, your playing partners, or a rules official—you cannot continue with that ball under any circumstances. Any additional shots with the wrong ball do not count toward your score and are essentially erased.
- You must return to where your original ball is (or was last known to be). From there, you have two options:
- Play your original ball as it lies, if it is still in play and playable
- Or, if your ball is lost or unplayable, proceed under the correct relief rule (such as stroke-and-distance, unplayable ball relief, or penalty area relief depending on the situation)
- Then you continue the hole properly from that point. Once you’ve returned to the correct ball situation and applied the proper rule, you resume play from there. The wrong ball is no longer part of your score or position. Important timing detail:
- The penalty applies as soon as you make a stroke at the wrong ball
- Any strokes made with the wrong ball do not count toward your score
To avoid this:
- Always confirm your ball before every shot
- Mark your ball clearly with a unique identifier
- When in doubt, announce to your group that you are identifying your ball
At higher levels of play, this is considered a preventable mistake, not an unlucky one.