Wrong ball

[DavidHayes]

Forrest,

Your concern reminds of one PGA TOUR player's concern over the 2008 change to Rule 12-2 (the change that permitted lifting a ball for identification when it lay in a hazard). This journeyman player was very concerned that this change to the rules would lead to players lifting the ball for the purpose of improving their lie (while claiming to be lifting the ball for identification). To date I'm not aware of there being any such problem with that change.

In my experience through my own play and discussing the rules as an employee at the USGA, attempts at circumvention of the rules simply do not happen that often. I would be willing to risk this change and then deal with any problems if (when) they arise.

Thanks for your comments.