USGA RULE OF THE WEEK
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Inevitably, a player will encounter other golf balls on the course during play. If the player has followed the recommendation (in Rules 6-5 and 12-2) that he place an identifying mark on his ball he is less likely to mistake another ball for his own.
Stray Balls
A ball that has been abandoned (i.e., that is no longer being played by a player on the course) is referred to as a stray or abandoned ball. A player encountering such a ball has a very simple remedy: he may remove it, without penalty, regardless of where it lay. This authority comes from the knowledge that a stray ball is an obstruction and that Rule 24-1 permits the removal of (and provides the method for removing) movable obstructions.
Balls being played by other players
If a player believes that a ball that is being played by another player interferes with his own play or if he believes that this other ball is in a position to assist another player, then he may require the owner of the ball to mark the position of the ball and lift it. This authority is discussed in Rule 22.
Wrong Ball
A player who disregards the recommendation, in Rules 6-5 and 12-2, to place an identifying mark on his ball is more likely to make a stroke at another player’s ball or a stray ball. In such a case, the player has played a wrong ball.
In match play, this player has incurred the loss of hole penalty prescribed by Rule 15-3a.
In stroke play, the player has incurred a two-stroke penalty under Rule 15-3b. Furthermore, this player must correct his error, as explained in Rule 15-3b, by playing his own ball or by proceeding under the Rules (i.e. by putting ball into play in accordance with the appropriate Rule should his original ball be lost).
Reprinted with permission from the USGA.
