What is the appropriate punishment for this?

Annhl8rX · Oct 22, 2020

To me a good prank is one that involves a surprise and does no harm. That’s exactly what this one is. I think it’s pretty dang funny, and I’d think the same thing if I was the victim. The guy was even considerate enough to mark the ball. I don’t see a dang thing wrong with it, and apparently neither did Spieth. Of course, it makes total sense for a bunch of guys on the internet to take “the game” more seriously than a guy who makes his living playing it.

GenErr · Oct 22, 2020

This happened to me YEARS ago on a drivable, blind green, par 4 (#11) at Bunker Hill Golf Course in NJ. It was our golf league's year end outing. When I got to the green I couldn't see my ball anywhere, either on or off the green. The group in front, waiting to tee off on #12, said "why don't you look in the hole?" I knew right then it was a prank, so I didn't get upset.
As far as pranks go, this is pretty mild and I'm sure Speith has been pranked worse.