What happens if I play from the wrong place?

You get the general penalty — two strokes in stroke play, loss of hole in match play — for playing from a wrong place. If it's a serious breach in stroke play, you must correct it or you're disqualified.

What counts as a wrong place

A wrong place is anywhere the Rules don't let you play from. That means playing from a spot where you weren't allowed to drop, playing a ball you should have re-dropped, or hitting from a no-play zone or wrong green. The basic rule: after you start a hole, every stroke must be from where your ball comes to rest — unless a Rule specifically tells you to play from somewhere else (Rule 9.1).

Serious breach vs. not serious — the difference matters

In stroke play, the Committee decides if you gained a significant advantage. If it's not serious, you just play on with the two-stroke penalty added. If it is serious, you have to correct the mistake by playing from the right place under the Rules. Fail to correct before teeing off on the next hole (or before returning your card on the last hole) and you're disqualified. When in doubt, play two balls and report the facts to the Committee before signing.

Extra penalties for no-play zones and bad relief

If your ball ends up in a no-play zone — like a wrong green or a designated no-play area inside a penalty area — and you play from there anyway, you get two penalty strokes for each stroke you make from that spot. Same if you take relief from an abnormal course condition but your club still hits that condition on your swing; the ball's in a wrong place and the general penalty applies.

Exceptions that change the answer

• Ball played from a no-play zone or wrong green → Two penalty strokes for each stroke made from that area (Interpretation 14.7b/1)
• Relief taken from abnormal course condition but club still strikes that condition → Ball is in a wrong place; general penalty applies (Interpretation 14.7b/2)
• Uncertain whether breach is serious in stroke play → Play two balls, report to Committee before returning scorecard; Committee decides which score counts

Frequently asked questions

What's the penalty for playing from the wrong place in match play?

Loss of hole. Rule 14.7a applies the general penalty, which in match play means you lose the hole.

How do I know if it's a serious breach?

A serious breach means you could have gained a significant advantage by playing from the wrong spot. The Committee decides, but think: much shorter approach, avoiding a hazard, or a vastly better lie. If you're unsure, play two balls and report it.

Do I have to correct a non-serious breach in stroke play?

No. If it's not a serious breach, you play out the hole with the ball you played from the wrong place and add the two-stroke penalty. You don't go back and replay.

What if I play from a no-play zone by mistake?

You get two penalty strokes for each stroke you make while the ball is in that no-play zone. You must take relief instead of playing from there.

What happens if I don't report playing two balls when I was unsure?

Disqualification. Rule 14.7b(2) says you must report the facts to the Committee before returning your scorecard, even if you think both balls scored the same.