Wrong Ball

You would think I would learn by my mistakes, but I did it again this morning in a singles match! I was 3 up playing the 13th hole with my opponent in all sorts of trouble off the tee. I went up to where I thought my ball was in the semi, found a ball with a number 4 on it, and played a shot. Walked a few yards further and there was my ball, a Titleist 4. It turned out that I had played a Srixon 4. Doh! Instant loss of hole that I probably would have won, and 4 up became 2 up. Fortunately I went on to win 3&1, so it didn't matter in the end, but I would have been kicking myself for weeks if I had lost the match! :mmm:

P.S. The wrong ball I hit this time was a lost or abandoned ball. :o
 
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Sorry but we all know where sympathy is in the dictionary - seriously surely you need to learn to check your ball properly
 
Sorry but we all know where sympathy is in the dictionary - seriously surely you need to learn to check your ball properly
The wrong ball was in a poor lie in quite deep semi-rough and quite hard to see at all. When I saw a number 4 on it (same as I was playing) I sort of assumed it was my ball as it was about in the right place. My own ball was also in the same bit of semi-rough and also quite difficult to see, but in a slightly better lie. :o
 
The wrong ball was in a poor lie in quite deep semi-rough and quite hard to see at all. When I saw a number 4 on it (same as I was playing) I sort of assumed it was my ball as it was about in the right place. My own ball was also in the same bit of semi-rough and also quite difficult to see, but in a slightly better lie. :o

:smirk: There is your answer
 
I could have just kept quiet about it and hope that my opponent didn't notice that my ball had changed make, but that is not in the spirit of the game! I admitted my mistake immediately. :o

But you keep hitting the wrong ball so the simple answer is - check its yours before hitting !!! - its not the science of rockets
 
The wrong ball was in a poor lie in quite deep semi-rough and quite hard to see at all. When I saw a number 4 on it (same as I was playing) I sort of assumed it was my ball as it was about in the right place. My own ball was also in the same bit of semi-rough and also quite difficult to see, but in a slightly better lie. :o

No excuses. The rule 12-2 allows you to pick up a ball to identify in such a situation.
 
The wrong ball was in a poor lie in quite deep semi-rough and quite hard to see at all. When I saw a number 4 on it (same as I was playing) I sort of assumed it was my ball as it was about in the right place. My own ball was also in the same bit of semi-rough and also quite difficult to see, but in a slightly better lie. :o

You are allowed to pick up your ball to identify. Use you thump and forefinger (not official but I find the best way to ensure you don't clean anything of in the process) lift it high enough to identify and take care to place it back where it was. Make sure you mark it, tell your FC and let them observe if they want. Don't clean it (beyond what is necessary for identification) or improve your lie.

Like I said before - no excuses
 
You are allowed to pick up your ball to identify. Use you thump and forefinger (not official but I find the best way to ensure you don't clean anything of in the process) lift it high enough to identify and take care to place it back where it was. Make sure you mark it, tell your FC and let them observe if they want. Don't clean it (beyond what is necessary for identification) or improve your lie.

Like I said before - no excuses
Yes I know all that. Just didn't put it into practice as I was initially pretty sure that I was playing the correct ball! :)
 
No excuses. The rule 12-2 allows you to pick up a ball to identify in such a situation.

Unless my ball is in the middle of the fairway and I saw it land there having never left my sight then I will always lift my ball to check it is mine if I cannot see the markings. Obviously witnessed by PP or FC etc etc.
 
Yes I know all that. Just didn't put it into practice as I was initially pretty sure that I was playing the correct ball! :)

It was, after all, a 'Seniors' comp!

@Airlie_Andy Always check it by all means, but don't get into the habit of always picking it up as this could lead to (wrong I hope) accusations of improving your lie! And make sure you follow the procedure in 12-2. Wait after informing Oppo/FCs for them to observe, if they want, and Mark before lifting. If any part of the procedure is not followed, then it's a 2 shot penalty!
 
It was, after all, a 'Seniors' comp!

@Airlie_Andy Always check it by all means, but don't get into the habit of always picking it up as this could lead to (wrong I hope) accusations of improving your lie! And make sure you follow the procedure in 12-2. Wait after informing Oppo/FCs for them to observe, if they want, and Mark before lifting. If any part of the procedure is not followed, then it's a 2 shot penalty!

As I say it's only if I can't see any of the markings which doesn't happen very often and always in accordance with the correct procedure. No point risking playing the wrong ball when a procedure is in place to identify it.
 
I put 2 sets of dots on opposite sides of ball plus alignment line. It's unusual that I can't recognise my ball unless it's really buried. I automatically check it's my ball as part of my (short) PSR
 
It was, after all, a 'Seniors' comp!

@Airlie_Andy Always check it by all means, but don't get into the habit of always picking it up as this could lead to (wrong I hope) accusations of improving your lie! And make sure you follow the procedure in 12-2. Wait after informing Oppo/FCs for them to observe, if they want, and Mark before lifting. If any part of the procedure is not followed, then it's a 2 shot penalty!

If it is your ball and you haven't followed the correct procedure, then it's a one-shot penalty. A two-shot penalty is only incurred if the player fails to replace it properly.
 
absolutely nothing you have posted suggests this

Harsh, but true!

I'd suggest an 'ever' might be appropriate in there too!

:rofl:

If it is your ball and you haven't followed the correct procedure, then it's a one-shot penalty. A two-shot penalty is only incurred if the player fails to replace it properly.

Doh! Indeed! Silly me!

I've never really have been as au fait with the Penalties as with the text of the Rules (Red bits as opposed to Black bits). I try to avoid breaches, so don't need to consider the Penalty - and they can always be sorted out later!
 
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