Player plays different ball from which he quoted on tee at start of round!

[3offTheTee]

Player declares he is playing a Titeleist 1 with 3 black dots when on 1st tee. His other ball in his pocket was a srixon 2 with 3 black dots. His ball has been on the fairway and in view all the time until the green when a member of the group notices the ball is a Srixon 2 with 3 black dots rather than a Titleist which he originally said on the tee..

Are there any problems with this and would it have made any difference if the ball had been in the rough. Example -questioning his integrity!

 

[Colin L]

I'm not sure why you think the player's integrity is in question. He is not obliged to play the ball he announced on the first tee. He might have taken the Srixon out of his pocket when it was his turn to play, not noticing the switch. Presumably his Titleist was in his pocket when it was noticed he was playing the Srixon?

Had he lifted and replaced on the green before the Srixon was noticed? If not, the above is the only explanation I can think of. Even if he had wanted to swap his balls around, you say his original was in view all the time, in which case it couldn't have been swapped during the play of the hole.

 

[mikejohnchapman]

Providing he didn't change balls during the hole (presumably on the green) there isn't a problem. Nor is playing a different ball on each hole.

The pros have restrictions on playing the same make and model but not amateurs.

 

[clubchamp98]

I thought you have to inform your marker if you change your ball.
This would have been a problem if a search was needed as the other players would be looking for a Titleist.
Then op saying “ oh no srixon that’s mine”

 

[Colin L]

There's no requirement to inform anyone what ball you are playing in the first instance. It is customary, however, to do so, as in this case.

It is very easy to pull a ball out of your pocket, tell the others what you are playing, put it back in your pocket and then without thinking pull out the other one and play it. I know that, for the rather obvious reason that I've done it. Embarrassing if you had to identify it after a search, but all you would need to do would be to look at the ball in your pocket and the mistake is clear.

It wouldn't be clever, mind you, to get a reputation for doing this too often

 

[mikejohnchapman]

I thought you have to inform your marker if you change your ball.
This would have been a problem if a search was needed as the other players would be looking for a Titleist.
Then op saying “ oh no srixon that’s mine”

Poliite, but not necessary.

Normally when beginning a search you just ask "what are you playing"

 

[clubchamp98]

Poliite, but not necessary.

Normally when beginning a search you just ask "what are you playing"

Well he would reply “Titleist”
So if I found a Srixon and picked it up as nobody else was about what happens ?

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Good thread, thank you. I played a course last week with tough rough, we all lost balls. I don't remember any of us identifying our second, third, or fourth balls . I have a mixture of balls in my bag and I suspect each one was different. Good job we were all honest, no dodgy scores. Something to think about though, to avoid potential issues.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Well he would reply “Titleist”
So if I found a Srixon and picked it up as nobody else was about what happens ?

You've gained a ball for you bag . Result.

 

[clubchamp98]

I know from experience about this .
Played a guy in knockout he hit a Titleist off the tee into heavy rough but found it ok when his ball landed on the green it had miraculously changed colour from white to yellow.
He swore black is white he changed his ball on the tee,
I hate yellow balls and I definitely would have noticed.
He conceded by putting my name through

 

[3offTheTee]

I know from experience about this .
Played a guy in knockout he hit a Titleist off the tee into heavy rough but found it ok when his ball landed on the green it had miraculously changed colour from white to yellow.
He swore black is white he changed his ball on the tee,
I hate yellow balls and I definitely would have noticed.
He conceded by putting my name through

He did NOT swear black is white BUT white is yellow!!

 

[jim8flog]

Providing he didn't change balls during the hole (presumably on the green) there isn't a problem. Nor is playing a different ball on each hole.

The pros have restrictions on playing the same make and model but not amateurs.

 

[mikejohnchapman]

Well he would reply “Titleist”
So if I found a Srixon and picked it up as nobody else was about what happens ?

If they just said Titleist I would ask what type and number and any distinguishing marks. If it was just any Titleist I would take some convincing it was theirs.

Interestingly though the onus is on the player to identify their ball - thus if they say it's their Titleist you are limited to what you can say / do.

As the joke goes - I know it wasn't his because I had it in my pocket!

 

[Jamesbrown]

There’s no requirement to announce what ball you’ve got on the tee. In fact it’s a waste of time, I’m not listening l, and I’ll ask what your playing when you lose it.

 

[clubchamp98]

If they just said Titleist I would ask what type and number and any distinguishing marks. If it was just any Titleist I would take some convincing it was theirs.

Interestingly though the onus is on the player to identify their ball - thus if they say it's their Titleist you are limited to what you can say / do.

As the joke goes - I know it wasn't his because I had it in my pocket!

He said on the tee it had 3 black dots.?

 

[BTatHome]

There’s no requirement to announce what ball you’ve got on the tee. In fact it’s a waste of time, I’m not listening l, and I’ll ask what your playing when you lose it.

Only a waste of time when playing with you. Others might well be listening and may also find it useful.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

There’s no requirement to announce what ball you’ve got on the tee. In fact it’s a waste of time, I’m not listening l, and I’ll ask what your playing when you lose it.

At every PGA Pro Am I have played the Referee has asked us to identify our ball , same at county events - I also find it takes two secs and it possibly saves hassle later plus if you are both playing the same exact ball it’s also a help when it comes to potentially playing the wrong ball.

 

[drdel]

IF.. a player really wanted to keep his 'options' open he/she only has to ensure all the balls in his pocket are identically models and marked in exactly the same way !!

Personally I can't give two hoots and assume my PPs are basically honest and if they find ball they will know it is their ball and if not they will say so.

 

[Jamesbrown]

At every PGA Pro Am I have played the Referee has asked us to identify our ball , same at county events - I also find it takes two secs and it possibly saves hassle later plus if you are both playing the same exact ball it’s also a help when it comes to potentially playing the wrong ball.

Place an identification mark on your your ball by all means as per R&A guidelines to avoid your above scenario.
It does take two seconds yes, but most of the time nobody’s going to remember what your playing by the time you’ve lost it and ask what your playing regardless.
Fairly prominent with the elders at ours. I choose not to as it’s just an eye rolling moment. Usually followed by teeing off the moment the fairway is clear and before designated tee time.
Another club 1st tee myth along with “lowest handicap first”

 

[gazzadi]

I once played in a pairs match play.Mine was the only ball down the fairway rest were in the rough,i go for a call of nature then approach were my ball was but it was not on the fairway .One of my opponents had played my ball instead of his own.We get to the green and i check his ball which has changed from a titliest 2 with red dots to a tliest 4 with a black dot[mine]. When questioned about this he said he had changed his ball on the last tee but not declared it to his opponents.I had to begrudgedly accept that his version of the events was true even though i knew what had transgressed and myself and my partner lost the hole.i feel that examples like this require a rule of declaration, of ones ball and ball identification is essential to avoid confusion and possible deception.