What’s the penalty for playing the wrong ball?
By The Fairway Labs TeamReviewed
General play
Penalty: Two strokes
What’s the penalty for playing the wrong ball?
PenaltyTwo strokes· under Rule 6.3c
What to do
- 1Stop as soon as you realize it was the wrong ball.
- 2Add the two-stroke penalty (strokes with the wrong ball don’t count).
- 3Go back and play your own original ball from its spot.
- 4Correct it before starting the next hole to avoid disqualification.
Based on the modern Rules of Golf (Rule 6.3c), as published by the USGA and The R&A and effective from the 2019 revision. Local rules can modify some situations — check the scorecard or with the committee when in doubt.
Related rulings
Get better at golf, one email at a time
Join the newsletter for new beginner guides, honest gear reviews, and tips that actually lower your scores. No spam, ever.