Rules question · Rule 18.1 · Medium
Teed up a new ball, then the original is found: what now?
Your tee shot goes into the rough. You search briefly, then go back to the teeing area and tee up another ball. Before you play it, and still within the three-minute search time, another player finds your original ball. What is the ruling?
Answer
You may choose: continue with the original ball without penalty or play from the teeing area for one penalty stroke
On the teeing area, a teed ball is only in play once you make a stroke at it. Until then you may lift it without penalty and continue with the original ball. You may also keep the new ball and play from the teeing area for one penalty stroke. If you dropped a ball in the general area instead, the dropped ball is in play at once.
Based on: Rule 6.2b(5), Clarification 18.1/1