Player plays wrong ball after picking picking up provisional ball.

[effayjay]

Medal round. Player hits tee shot into trouble. Plays a provisional ball from the tee. Original ball is “found” so the player picks up the provisional ball and continues with what he thinks is the original ball. After three further shots the player marks his ball on the green and, on picking it up, realises that it is, in fact, not the original ball.

If not electing to NR how should the player proceed and what penalties should be applied?

 

[salfordlad]

Medal round. Player hits tee shot into trouble. Plays a provisional ball from the tee. Original ball is “found” so the player picks up the provisional ball and continues with what he thinks is the original ball. After three further shots the player marks his ball on the green and, on picking it up, realises that it is, in fact, not the original ball.

If not electing to NR how should the player proceed and what penalties should be applied?

A "classic" scenario. But we need more information to finalise a ruling.

To start, I will presume the provisional ball process was initially done correctly. It also appears a search for the original ball commenced and was discontinued on "finding" a ball incorrectly assumed to be the original ball. I also assume this found ball was simply played as lies, not touched by the player before playing it.

On these assumptions, at the time the player becomes aware they have proceeded with a wrong ball, the state of play is: the player's score at this point is 3 strokes, being the original stroke from the tee and a general penalty for playing the wrong ball. No strokes with the wrong ball count. The player is now required to return and proceed with the original ball if it is found within any remaining search time - the time search clock stopped when the wrong ball was "found" and assumed to be the original ball. If the original is found within the time limit, the player is required to continue with that ball and the next stroke will be their 4th.

If the original is not found and becomes lost (when the 3 minutes is up) or the player chooses not to continue search - in either case needing to proceed with the provisional ball as the ball in play - the player must replace a ball on the spot the provisional ball was lifted from (estimate if necessary) and their score to that point is 6 strokes, the next stroke will be their 7th. The 6 strokes are made up of:
2 'talent' strokes - the original tee shot and the stroke with the provisional
2 stroke penalty for wrong ball (Rule 6.3c)
1 stroke penalty for S&D (Rule 18)
1 stroke penalty for lifting provisional when it subsequently became ball in play (Rule 9.4b and 18.3c(2)/4)

 

[effayjay]

All your assumptions are correct. That clarifies things nicely.

Thank you.

 

[Joffery]

Medal round. Player hits tee shot into trouble. Plays a provisional ball from the tee. Original ball is “found” so the player picks up the provisional ball and continues with what he thinks is the original ball. After three further shots the player marks his ball on the green and, on picking it up, realises that it is, in fact, not the original ball.

If not electing to NR how should the player proceed and what penalties should be applied?

The player played the wrong ball, so they get a two-stroke penalty (Rule 6.3c). They need to find the original ball and play it from where it was last found. If it’s lost, take a one-stroke penalty (Rule 18.2) and play from where it was last hit. Total: three strokes penalty if the ball’s lost, and shots with the wrong ball don’t count.

 

[rulie]

Di

The player played the wrong ball, so they get a two-stroke penalty (Rule 6.3c). They need to find the original ball and play it from where it was last found. If it’s lost, take a one-stroke penalty (Rule 18.2) and play from where it was last hit. Total: three strokes penalty if the ball’s lost, and shots with the wrong ball don’t count.

Did you forget that a provisional had been played?

 

[Steven Rules]

The player played the wrong ball, so they get a two-stroke penalty (Rule 6.3c). They need to find the original ball and play it from where it was last found. If it’s lost, take a one-stroke penalty (Rule 18.2) and play from where it was last hit. Total: three strokes penalty if the ball’s lost, and shots with the wrong ball don’t count.

Welcome to the forum Joffery.

The original question was answered comprehensively and correctly four or five days ago at #2. It's always worth paying attention to salfordlad's posts; he has an expert understanding of the Rules themselves and also of the underlying issues behind the Rules.