Quirky golf rule question

Mark your ball with distinguishing marks before the round.

Never play the same number ball when hitting a provisional. The fact that you hit the first #2 you saw, made that the ball in play.

Your ball should be marked and identified by your playing partner before the round.

Wrong ball is a two stroke penalty in stroke play or loss of hole in match play.

quote:

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I hit a drive and lost sight of it almost immediately.

About 175 yards down the fairway we came upon

What should be done?

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Deadlift?

So which ball do you think was yours?



Never say "what are the chances".....because that's not covered in the rule book

Misinformation galore in this thread.

You can pick a ball up to identify it without penalty, but only to identify.

If the two balls were indistinguishable, and both you and your playing partner(s) agreed that the first ball was yours before you hit, then it's no penalty and you continue playing that ball.

If there is doubt, then you just go back to the tee under ruling of lost ball and re-tee.

If the second ball was identified as being yours after you hit the first one, it's a one strike penalty. The first ball is void and you hit your third shot from where the second ball lies.

ETA: and that scenario isn't quirky by any stretch. Happens a lot.