What happens if two players hit the same ball?

The situation

In the rough, you and a playing partner's balls are close together. Without identifying them, you each pick one up and play. You played each other's ball by mistake.

The rule

When two players exchange balls and each plays the other's ball, both have committed a wrong ball violation under Rule 6.3c. In stroke play, both players incur a 2-stroke penalty each and must correct the mistake: find their own ball (or take lost ball relief), return to where the exchange happened if needed, and complete the hole. In match play, the first player who played a wrong ball loses the hole; if it's impossible to determine who played first, the hole is halved.

Real example

Your Titleist 3 and your partner's identical Titleist 3 end up two feet apart in long rough. Neither of you marks your ball. You each pick up the nearest one and play. When you compare notes on the green, you realise the swap. Both: 2-stroke penalty. You must replay or continue as if you'd played from where the balls were exchanged.

What to do on the course

• Always mark your ball before the round — initials, a coloured dot, or a line prevent this entirely
• Before playing any ball in the rough, check the full identification: brand, number, and personal mark
• If you suspect a swap after both players have already hit: stop playing the wrong balls immediately and assess from where the exchange occurred
• In a scramble or team format, the same wrong ball rule applies to any individual stroke

Penalty

2-stroke penalty per player in stroke play. Loss of hole to the first wrong-ball player in match play.