What happens if I swap my ball thinking it's cracked but it isn't?

You get one penalty stroke if you substitute a ball when the original isn't actually cut or cracked. You must put the original ball back on its spot before playing on.

When you're allowed to check and swap

If you reasonably believe your ball got cut or cracked during the hole, you may lift it to look — but you have to mark the spot first and you can't clean it (except on the green). If it's clearly cut or cracked from damage that happened this hole, you can drop another ball on that same spot. Scratches, scraped paint, or discoloration don't count.

What happens if you swap it anyway

If the original ball isn't cut or cracked, you're not allowed to substitute. You must replace the original ball on its marked spot. If you make a stroke at the wrong ball instead, that's a one-stroke penalty under Rule 6.3b. Playing from the wrong place after that adds the general penalty — two more strokes in stroke play or loss of hole in match play.

Exceptions that change the answer

• You lift the ball on the putting green → You may lift and clean under Rule 13.1b without needing a reasonable belief it's damaged.
• The stroke with the substituted ball is cancelled or replayed → No penalty for the wrong substitution if the stroke doesn't count in your score.

Frequently asked questions

Can I change balls just because it's scratched or the paint is chipped?

No. Scratches, scrapes, and paint damage don't allow substitution. You can only swap if the ball is clearly cut or cracked and the damage happened during the hole you're playing.

What if I lift my ball to check it but didn't mark the spot first?

That's a one-stroke penalty. You must always mark the spot before lifting to inspect for cuts or cracks, unless you're on the putting green.

I substituted a ball thinking it was cracked, hit it, then realized the original was fine. What now?

You've played an incorrectly substituted ball — one penalty stroke. You must correct the mistake by playing the original ball from its spot (or taking relief if another rule applies). If you don't correct it before the next tee, it's the general penalty.

Does this rule apply if my ball breaks into pieces after a stroke?

No, that's Rule 4.2b. If the ball breaks apart, there's no penalty and the stroke doesn't count — you replay from the same spot.

Can I swap balls between holes without any restriction?

Yes. Rule 4.2c only restricts substitution during a hole. Between holes you can change balls freely.