Rules FAQ: What is the Penalty for Playing a Wrong Ball?

In most cases, playing the wrong ball results in loss of hole in match play and a two-stroke penalty in stroke play. The only exception is when a golfer takes a swing at a wrong ball that is moving in water inside a water hazard.

In stroke play, the offender must go back and replay any shots with the correct ball.

A player whose ball was incorrectly played by a competitor or partner should play a ball as close to the original spot as can be determined.

In stroke play, a competitor can be disqualified if the mistake of playing a wrong ball is not corrected before teeing off from the next teeing ground.

In the rulebook, wrong ball situations are covered in Rule 15.

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