The rules of golf: How to identify your golf ball

You play a shot, walk after it, and then hit it again. That’s golf in a nutshell but, as we all know, life is never quite that simple. What if you’re not sure whether a ball is yours? How do you correctly identify it on the golf course? This PGA Play article explains...

How can you identify a golf ball?

The easiest way is to put a clear identifying mark on it.

Can you pick up a ball to identify it?

Yes. If you find a ball, and you’re not sure whether it’s yours, you can lift it to identify it.

You must mark the spot first. Don’t clean it any more than is needed to know it’s yours. Once you’ve identified it, put it back on its spot.

If you didn’t mark that spot, you’ll get a penalty shot.

What can you do when trying to find your ball?

You can move and bend grass. You can shift bushes and branches out of the way. But don’t go overboard. If there is an easier way to get to your ball, you must take it.

What if you move your ball while trying to find it?

Don’t worry. It doesn’t matter if this happens accidentally while you are looking for it or trying to identify it. Make sure to put the ball back on its spot.

If you’re not sure where that was, use your best guess.