What is the penalty for making a stroke at a wrong ball?

When a player makes a stroke at a wrong ball, the rules of golf impose a significant consequence to maintain the integrity of the game. Specifically, the player incurs a general penalty of two strokes in stroke play. This penalty emphasizes the importance of correctly identifying the ball being played before attempting a stroke. The notion is that players must ensure they are playing the right ball to uphold fair play and adhere to the rules.

In match play, if a player strikes a wrong ball, the penalty is even more severe: they lose the hole. Therefore, the concept of the general penalty reflects the seriousness of this error, reinforcing that players need to be vigilant and responsible in knowing which ball they are supposed to play throughout their round. Understanding this rule is essential for all golfers to avoid penalties that can impact their scores and overall performance.