Golf decisions
Changing Golf Balls During a Hole: What Is Allowed?
You can normally change balls between holes. During a hole, the reason for lifting, dropping or replacing the ball determines whether another ball is allowed.
Competitive Play · Updated October 24, 2026
A decision timeline for one ball
Original Rules cases
A decision timeline for one ball- Before the next hole
Devon finishes the seventh hole and wants a fresh conforming ball for the eighth.
Changing between holes is normally allowed; check whether G-4 restricts the model.
- After a suspected impact
He reasonably believes the ball became cut or cracked on the eighth. He marks its spot before lifting it to inspect.
Do not clean it during that inspection except on the putting green.
- Only a scuff
Inspection shows scraped paint, with no visible cut or crack.
Under this inspection procedure, replace the original ball at its spot.
- A visible crack
Instead, suppose inspection clearly shows a crack caused on this hole.
Replace the original or another ball at the original spot under the damage provision.
- A separate relief procedure
Later, Devon is taking valid relief under a Rule.
Relief normally allows the original or another ball. Ordinary replacement after marking on the green normally requires the original.
Alternative fictional branches, not consecutive permission to inspect repeatedly. A reason to lift must exist before lifting. The actual relief Rule and adopted Local Rules remain relevant.
The short version
- A clearly cut or cracked ball damaged during this hole can be replaced under Rule 4.2c.
- A scuff or damaged paint alone does not qualify under that damage rule.
- An adopted one-ball Local Rule adds a brand-and-model restriction.
Inspect for a cut or crack, not dissatisfaction
A tree strike does not automatically entitle you to a new ball. Rule 4.2c requires reasonable belief that the ball became cut or cracked during the hole before an inspection lift. Mark the spot first. Inspection is not an extra chance to clean a muddy ball off the green.
A visible cut or crack can qualify; scratches, scrapes, discolouration or damaged paint alone do not. If the ball qualifies, the procedure is replacement at the original spot, not a drop near the impact. If it does not, replace the original. Keep the condition available to show a marker or referee if there is uncertainty.
Relief and replacement are different permissions
Rule 6.3b normally permits another ball when taking relief under a Rule, including when the relief procedure ends in placement. It also permits another ball when playing again from the previous stroke's location. That is separate from merely marking, lifting and replacing a ball at a spot, which normally requires the original, subject to specific exceptions.
For example, a player cannot normally swap a scuffed ball while marking it on the putting green just because they prefer the feel of a new one. Conversely, an allowed penalty-area relief procedure does not become an inspection under the damage rule. Identify the permission you are actually using.
Check the one-ball Local Rule separately
G-4 is optional; it is not a condition of every casual round. When adopted, the balls played during the round must match a single entry on the current conforming-ball list. The same brand name by itself is not enough, and different colours with identical markings count as different balls under this provision.
An allowed substitution does not waive G-4. Read the event wording before choosing the replacement. If an incorrect ball has been substituted but not played, stop and check the correction procedure. Making a stroke at an incorrectly substituted ball normally brings one penalty stroke under Rule 6.3b; G-4 has its own breach provision. Do not guess that every ball-change error is automatically the general penalty.
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Sources and scope
Official provisions checked October 24, 2026. Examples illustrate only their stated facts; read the complete procedure and current course or event conditions.
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Sources and review
- What it covers
- Rules classification and procedure under the cited current official text; fictional examples apply only to their stated course areas and conditions. Written source text checked 2026-10-24.
- Checked
Primary sources
What this page cannot tell you
- These source-based, hypothetical cases do not determine relief or penalties for an actual lie and do not replace the responsible Committee or referee.