Hitting another players provisional ball

Question
What is the rule if I hit another players provisional ball.  My friend hit a questionable drive, so he hit a provisional.  His provisional was 15 yards shorter than my drive. My cart buddy said there's your ball.  With the exception of three green dots (not visible to me) I hit my friends ball. ( I hit his provisional) His first ball stayed in play. My shot was pin high 5 feet off the green.  Wrong ball. I then returned to my ball and hit it and bogeyed the hole. While I realize the unfortunate set of circumstances, I took my 2 stroke penalty.
Somehow it just didn't seem fair.  Two identical balls with his green dots on the underside. Most folks might have done the same. Are there any rules regarding hitting another players provisional?
Thanks for your time!  Ed  

Answer
Hi Ed,

So sorry. You hit the wrong ball. You're responsible for identifying the ball that you're playing at all times. It's your fault. 2 stroke penalty.

Yes, seems a bit unfair, cause it was an honest mistake. The exact same thing happened to my in my Club Championship one year. I ended up coming 2nd because of it. The fellow I was playing with was playing the same number Pro V1 as me and the marking was not visible.

Advice? Put more than one marking on your ball so that no matter what position it's in, you can identify it.

You'll probably never make the same mistake again.

Please visit and patronize my sites:
www.probablegolfinstruction.com
www.golf-ball-vacation.com
www.tiger-woods-jack-nicklaus.com

Best regards,
Ken Tannar


Best regards,
Ken Tannar