After having a nightmare on the first think we lost the ball

I hit a 7iron to the middle of the green thinking it would be enough club, my playing partners where saying it's all over the pin if if it the correct number,

Unable to see if from the tee, la,ered the green and thought it was just short and had spun back. When we got upto the putting surface, no ball to be found at the front or at the back Checked the cup and found it to be at the bottom

Putter in hand incase it was hiding just off the green