Can You Play Two Balls in Golf?

The question of whether you can play two balls in golf comes up constantly, and the simple answer is: it depends entirely on the situation. In a serious competition, hitting a second ball is typically a rule violation that comes with a penalty. During a quiet practice round, however, it can be one of the absolute best ways to improve your game. This guide will walk you through the official rules for competitive rounds, the unwritten rules for casual play, and how to properly use a second ball to become a better golfer.

The Official Rules: When One Ball is Your Only Option

In any formal round of golf governed by the Rules of Golf - like a tournament, club championship, or even a weekly league where scores are posted for a handicap - the guiding principle is that you play a single ball from the teeing area to the bottom of the cup. Deviating from this opens you up to penalties.

Understanding a "Wrong Ball"

The rules are quite strict about playing your own ball. Under Rule 6.3c, if you hit a ball that isn’t yours, you’ve played a "wrong ball." It's an easy mistake to make, especially when you and your partner hit similar shots into the same patch of rough.

• In Stroke Play: If you play a wrong ball, you get a two-stroke penalty. The real pain is that you then have to go back and correct your mistake by playing your original ball. Any strokes you made with the wrong ball don't count. If you don't correct the mistake before teeing off on the next hole (or before signing your card on the last hole), you'll be disqualified.
• In Match Play: The penalty is simpler but more severe. The moment you hit a wrong ball, you lose the hole. There’s no going back to fix it, your opponent wins the hole, and you both move on to the next tee.

The lesson here is simple: always take that extra second to positively identify your ball before you swing. It might feel like it slows things down, but it can save you from a major penalty.

The Provisional Ball: The One Exception

There is one very common situation where you are allowed to hit a second ball from the same spot, and that is when you hit a provisional ball. This is governed by Rule 18.3 and is designed to help with the pace of play.

You can hit a provisional ball only when you believe your original ball might be lost (outside a penalty area) or might have landed out of bounds. It's a backup plan so you don't have to walk all the way down the fairway only to have to walk all the way back to the tee to re-hit.

Here’s the correct procedure for playing a provisional ball:

1. Announce Your Intention: Before you hit, you must clearly announce to your playing partners that you are playing a "provisional ball." You can’t just hit a second shot and decide later that it was provisional. Saying something like "I think that might be lost, I'm going to hit a provisional" is perfect.
2. Play the Second Ball: Go through your routine and hit the provisional ball.
3. Search for Your Original Ball: You get three minutes to search for your original ball once you get to the area where you think it is.

Now, one of two things will happen:

• You Find Your Original Ball: Great! If your original ball is found and is in-bounds within the three-minute search time, you must play it. The provisional ball is immediately considered out of play. You just pick it up and continue with your first ball, playing it as it lies.
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If you can't find your first ball or you confirm it's out of bounds, your provisional ball is now your ball in play. You'll add one penalty stroke to your score and play on from where your provisional ball landed.

For example, if you hit your tee shot and your provisional tee shot, then find the provisional in the fairway but can't find your first ball, you are now lying three (one for the tee shot, one penalty stroke, and one for the provisional shot that is now in play). Using the provisional ball correctly is a sign of a knowledgeable and considerate golfer.

Playing a Second Ball in a Casual Round

When you're out on the course with friends and not playing for an official score, the rules become much more relaxed. The main goal is to have fun and enjoy the game. Here, playing a second ball can be totally fine, as long as you follow some basic etiquette.

The Friendly "Mulligan"

A mulligan is a do-over. It's not a real rule, but it’s a time-honored tradition in casual golf. The most common mulligan is off the first tee when you hit a terrible, nerve-riddled shot. Your friends might say, "Go on, hit another one." That second shot is your mulligan.

The etiquette around mulligans is all about communication. Before you tee off, agree on the "house rules" for the day. Is everyone allowed one mulligan per round? One per nine holes? Just on the first tee? Talking about it beforehand avoids any awkwardness later. The key is that it’s a mutually agreed-upon "break" from the rules for the sake of fun.

The "Two-Ball" Practice Round

There might be times when you want to play two balls on every hole just to get practice. Maybe you want to compare two different drivers or practice two different types of approach shots on each green.

This is only acceptable if two conditions are met:

1. The course is nearly empty. If there are groups ahead of you and, more importantly, a group pulling up behind you, playing two balls is a major breach of etiquette. It's a surefire way to slow down the entire golf course. The best time for this is usually a twilight round when there's no one behind you.
2. You are fast. Even if the course is empty, you need to play quickly. Hit your first shot, hit your second shot, and hustle to them. Be ready to play when you get there. If you see a group coming up behind you, you should immediately revert to playing one ball.

How to Use a Second Ball to Supercharge Your Practice

This is where playing two balls becomes a truly fantastic tool. By using a second ball during focused practice, you create an immediate feedback loop that can rapidly improve your skills and on-course decision-making.

On the Practice Green: Fine-Tuning Your Touch

The putting and chipping greens are the perfect places to embrace the two-ball method. Nobody cares here, and it’s unbelievably effective.

• Line vs. Speed: Place two balls down for a breaking 15-foot putt. Hit the first ball focusing only on getting the correct line. Don’t even worry about speed. See how the ball breaks. Now, hit the second ball with that knowledge of the line and focus on hitting it at the perfect speed to go in.
• Chip and Correct: Flub a chip short? Don't just rake another ball over. Leave the bad one where it is, put a second ball down, and try to correct what you did wrong. Did you decelerate? Did you hit it thin? Hitting the second shot immediately helps ingrain the correct feeling.

On the Course: Practicing Strategy Under Pressure

On those quiet days on the course, you can use a second ball to test your course management and execute shots under real-world conditions.

• Conservative vs. Aggressive: Stand on the tee of a tricky par 4. Your aggressive play is to hit your driver over a bunker to leave a wedge in. Your conservative play is to hit a 4-iron short of the trouble, leaving a 7-iron in. Hit both shots! Walk down, see where they ended up, and play both out. You will learn very quickly which strategy actually leads to a lower score for your skill set.
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Let’s say you struggle with long bunker shots. After hitting your shot onto a par 5 green, walk over to a greenside bunker that's about 30 yards out, toss your second ball in, and play the shot. This is a chance to practice a specific shot type in its natural environment, which is far better than just hitting from a perfect-sand practice bunker.

One important note: If you are playing a round where you plan to enter a score for your handicap, ethical play is paramount. You can still practice with two balls, but you must declare before the hole starts which ball you will use for your score on that hole. You can't hit two shots, see which one is better, and then choose that one for your score. That would unfairly deflate your handicap.

Final Thoughts

Ultimately, whether you can play two balls in golf is all about the context. In competitive play, stick to one ball to avoid penalties, using the provisional ball rule when needed. In a casual game or, more importantly, a dedicated practice session, embrace the second ball as a powerful tool to test your strategies, refine your feel, and become a smarter, more confident player.

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