What happens if I make a stroke at an incorrectly substituted ball?

If you make a stroke at an incorrectly substituted ball, you get one penalty stroke and the stroke counts. You must then correct the mistake under Rule 14.5 before playing another stroke. The only exception is if the ball was moving in water — then there's no penalty and the stroke doesn't count.

What counts as an incorrectly substituted ball

A ball is incorrectly substituted when you put another ball in play in a situation where the Rules don't allow substitution. The most common case is replacing a ball on its original spot — you must use the original ball there, with only a few narrow exceptions. Substituting when taking relief or playing again from the previous spot is allowed, but if you drop or place that substituted ball in a wrong way, wrong place, or by a wrong procedure, it becomes an incorrectly substituted ball the moment you make a stroke at it.

Penalty and next steps

The penalty is one penalty stroke. The stroke you made at the incorrectly substituted ball counts in your score. After that, you have to fix the error under Rule 14.5 — which usually means going back and doing it right with the correct ball or correct procedure. If you don't correct it before making another stroke, you could face additional penalties.

When the original ball is lost or not found

If your original ball hasn't been found and you put another ball in play under stroke-and-distance or another Rule that applies when it's known or virtually certain what happened to it, that substituted ball becomes your ball in play. You must continue with it and cannot play the original even if it's found within the three-minute search time.

Exceptions that change the answer

• The ball is moving in water in a penalty area or temporary water → There is no penalty. The stroke does not count, and you must correct the mistake by playing the right ball from its original spot or taking relief under the Rules.

Frequently asked questions

Does the stroke at the incorrectly substituted ball count?

Yes. The stroke counts and you add one penalty stroke to your score for the hole.

Can I just pick up the wrong ball and play the right one?

You must correct the error under Rule 14.5 before making another stroke. That usually means replacing the correct ball on the right spot or dropping correctly, then playing from there.

What if I substituted a ball when taking relief — is that always allowed?

Yes, when taking relief under a Rule (dropping or placing) you may use either the original ball or another ball. But if you drop it in the wrong place or by the wrong procedure, it becomes incorrectly substituted once you stroke it.

Is the penalty different in match play?

The Rule text provided specifies one penalty stroke. The general penalty (loss of hole) applies to playing a wrong ball under Rule 6.3c, not to an incorrectly substituted ball under 6.3b(3).

What if I realize the mistake before I make a stroke?

Rule 14.5 lets you correct the error without penalty before you make a stroke at the incorrectly substituted ball — just swap it for the right ball or fix the procedure.