The ruling in plain English
It depends on the format. In stroke play, add two penalty strokes and tee off again from inside the correct teeing area; the first ball was never in play. In match play there is no penalty. Your opponent may cancel the tee shot before either of you plays another stroke. If they do, tee off again from the correct area; otherwise the original shot counts and you play the ball as it lies.
Apply the Rule on the course
First confirm which teeing area applies, then correct the mistake in time if this is stroke play.
- 1
Identify the teeing area you were required to use and confirm that the stroke started outside it.
- 2
In stroke play, add two penalty strokes and start the hole again from within the correct teeing area before the correction deadline.
- 3
In match play, your opponent may cancel the tee shot promptly, before either player makes another stroke. If they do, tee off again from the correct teeing area.
- 4
If your opponent does not cancel, the tee shot counts. Play that ball as it lies.
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What else matters
Stroke play: two penalty strokes and mandatory correction; failure to correct in time means disqualification. Match play: no penalty, though the opponent may cancel.
Exceptions
- For the last hole in stroke play, correction must occur before returning the scorecard.
- A stroke from within the correct teeing area follows the normal teeing-area rules.
Common mistakes
- Continuing the original wrong-tee ball in stroke play.
- Assuming match play has the same mandatory correction as stroke play.
- Waiting until after the next hole starts to correct in stroke play.
Remember: Stroke play: two strokes and tee off again. Match play: no penalty; your opponent may cancel the tee shot.
R&A Rule 6.1b
Independent plain-English guide. The current Rules, Interpretations and applicable Local Rules control.