Playing The Right AND Wrong Ball

[Region3]

A few weeks ago a friend of mine had an odd situation occur.

He hit his drive into the deep rough, and when he found it it was sitting up quite nicely.
When he played his shot, 2 balls came out!

The ball he identified was definitely his, and we gave him the benefit of the doubt that the ball he hit first was his, but is there anything in the rules covering hitting a ball that you didn't know was there?

 

[Imurg]

THis happened to Olazabal sometime ago - can't remember the outcome.
I think that if you can't see the 2nd ball and you don't know it's there then you're ok but I wouldn't like to bet my life on it....

 

[duncan mackie]

....... is there anything in the rules covering hitting a ball that you didn't know was there?

yes

basically in this case the player didn't make a stroke at the hidden ball, he made a stroke at his ball - so he didn't 'play a wrong ball'. His shot stands and he plays his ball as it lies.

the same principle applies if you strike a hidden discarded ball with a practice swing, no intention so no penalty under either rules relating to practice shots or wrong ball.