What is a provisional ball?
A "provisional ball," often shortened just to "provisional," is a second golf ball played by a golfer who believes his first ball (the stroke he just played) may be …
What happens if you hit a provisional ball?
Jan 14, 2022 · Golf Rules Explained: Provisional Ball (Rule 18.3) The provisional ball Rule is one of the most useful Rules in the book. If, after playing a shot, you think your ball may be lost outside of a penalty area or out of bounds, you should play a provisional ball. The purpose of the Rule is to save time, hence the player must inform his opponent, marker or fellow-competitor that he …
Can you play a provisional from the tee?
Aug 31, 2020 · A provisional ball is an option taken into account in a golf game under penalty of stroke and distance to save time when the ball in play might have gone out of bounds or be lost outside a penalty area.
What is the local rule in golf?
Dec 15, 2021 · The Rules of Golf allow you to play a provisional ball when you think your ball might be out of bounds or lost outside of a penalty area. A provisional ball is a second ball you play, and it becomes the ball in play under stroke and distance (one penalty stroke and losing the distance gained by your original) if your original ball is out of bounds or it is lost.
Do you have to play provisional ball in golf?
The provisional ball Rule is one of the most useful Rules in the book. If, after playing a shot, you think your ball may be lost outside of a penalty area or out of bounds, you should play a provisional ball.Feb 2, 2021
What is a provisional ball and when can you hit it?
How many strokes is a provisional ball?
How does a provisional ball work?
Can you hit a provisional ball twice?
Do you have to declare a provisional ball?
Is a lost ball a 2 stroke penalty?
What do red stakes mean in golf?
What is the penalty for playing a provisional ball?
What is provisional ball rule?
If, after playing a shot, you think your ball may be lost, in a penalty area, or out of bounds you should play a provisional ball.
What happens if you find the provisional ball in bounds?
If the original ball is found in bounds, you must continue with that ball and stop playing the provisional ball. Remember, you can continue to play your provisional ball until you reach the place where the original is likely to be.
What does it mean when a player has put another ball into play?
The player has put another ball into play because it is known or virtually certain that the ball, which has not been found, has been moved by an outside agency, is in an obstruction, is in an abnormal ground condition or is in a penalty area; or. The player has made a stroke at a substituted ball.
When is a provisional ball allowed in golf?
According to Rule 18.3 from R&A, if a ball might be lost outside a penalty area or be out of bounds, to save time the player may play another ball provisionally under penalty of stroke and distance.
Announcing the play of a provisional ball
When you’re committed to playing a provisional ball, you’ll have to announce it to your group so they know what’s going on.
Other important details regarding provisional balls in golf
If you hit a provisional ball and wish to play it after finding your original ball, unfortunately, this isn’t allowed.
What is provisional ball?
A provisional ball is an option taken into account in a golf game under penalty of stroke and distance to save time when the ball in play might have gone out of bounds or be lost outside a penalty area.
Is a provisional ball allowed in golf?
Otherwise, as defined in the Rules of golf, a provisional ball is not an option or is not allowed.
Is a provisional ball a secondary ball?
We know a provisional ball acts as a secondary ball, but only to a certain degree. Basically, you can proceed on playing your provisional ball up until you reach the place where the first ball (the one lost) is likely to be.
Why is provisional ball important?
Is provisional ball important or really necessary? It is one of the most useful Rules in the golf book and its ultimate purpose is to save time. Looking for your lost golf ball may take some time – time which the game of golf needs to keep things moving on schedule.
What is the rule for provisional ball?
Rule 27-2 (Provisional Ball) requires two things to be done correctly: 1) you must announce your intention to play a provisional ball and 2) you must play the second ball before you have gone forward to search for the original ball.
Can you play a provisional ball right away?
Most golfers play a provisional right away, so this requirement is usually satisfied. One important item to note is that you can’t play a provisional ball if you think your ball might be lost in a water hazard.
What does requirement 2 mean in golf?
Requirement 2 simply means that if you have walked forward to search for your original ball, which is usually when you have gone forward approximately 50 yards or more, you can no longer turn around to walk back and play a provisional. Most golfers play a provisional right away, so this requirement is usually satisfied.
What does it mean to play a second ball after a statement?
Playing a second ball after one of these types of statements means that you have put a second ball into play under penalty of stroke and distance (and you can no longer play your original ball).
What happens if you play a provisional ball in the water hazard?
Then if it is determined that your ball is in the water hazard, you must abandon the provisional and proceed by playing your original ball or taking relief under the water hazard relief options. If you play a provisional and also think that your provisional might be lost or out of bounds, the Rules allow you to play a second provisional ball.
When will the new golf rules come into effect?
With Golf’s New Rules taking effect on January 1, 2019, golf courses and tournament organizers will have the option to use a Local Rule that provides an alternative to stroke and distance for balls that are lost or out of bounds. Note that this optional Local Rule is not intended for higher levels of play. We can take a look at this topic in more ...
Is a provisional ball straight?
The provisional ball is much easier to hit straight than your original ball. Studies have shown that a provisional ball will go three times straighter than your first ball.*. 8. When playing a provisional from the tee it must be played after your playing partners have played their first shot.
When can a provisional ball be played?
The provisional ball can only be played if the first ball is lost or out-of-bounds. In this case, play proceeds with the original ball under the rules for an unplayable lie – which may mean going back to the place the original ball was struck, under penalty of stroke and distance.
Can you play a provisional ball in a water hazard?
You can only play a provisional ball if you think your ball may be lost outside of a water hazard or out-of-bounds. This is an often misunderstood rule so take note, these are the only two scenarios when you can play a provisional ball. 2. If you are virtually certain that your ball is in a water hazard, do NOT hit a provisional.
When playing a provisional ball from the tee, must it be played?
When playing a provisional from the tee it must be played after your playing partners have played their first shot. If more than one golfer elects to play a provisional ball, the original order must be preserved. ( Rule 10-3) 9. If your original ball is found but deemed unplayable, the provisional ball cannot be played.
What happens if the provisional ball is found but deemed unplayable?
9. If your original ball is found but deemed unplayable, the provisional ball cannot be played. The provisional ball can only be played if the first ball is lost or out-of-bounds.
How many times can you hit a provisional ball?
You can hit the provisional ball as many times as you like until you reach the distance where your ball may be lost. If you then find your original ball, then disregard the provisional and the number of shots you have played with it. If you don’t find your original ball, continue playing your provisional ball. 6.
What is provisional ball?
If you are then unable to find your original ball, or you find it out of bounds, your provisional ball is your ball in play under stroke and distance, and you don’t have to take the time to walk all the way back to the spot of your previous stroke.
How far can you drop a golf ball in the fairway?
You can drop a ball in the fairway within two club-lengths of that fairway edge point, or anywhere between there and the estimated spot where your ball is lost or went out of bounds. To see this visually and learn more about how this optional Local Rule works, click here.
What is a final exception in golf?
A final exception is when a new Local Rule which provides an alternative to stroke and distance relief is in effect . This Local Rule is recommended for casual play and not for competitions involving highly-skilled players. If it is in effect, for two penalty strokes, you can estimate the spot where your ball is lost or went out ...
What to do if you hit a ball out of bounds?
If you hit your ball out of bounds or lose it (you have three minutes to search for your ball before it becomes lost), your only option is to go back to the spot of your previous stroke to play under stroke and distance.
When Is A Provisional Ball Allowed in Golf?
- According to Rule 18.3 from R&A, if a ball might be lost outside a penalty area or be out of bounds, to save time the player may play another ball provisionally under penalty of stroke and distance. For a ball that may be lost, this applies when: 1. The original ball has not been found and identified and is not yet lost, and 2. A ball might be lost in a penalty area but also might be lost somewher…
Announcing The Play of A Provisional Ball
- When you’re committed to playing a provisional ball, you’ll have to announce it to your group so they know what’s going on. To do this, you must say something along the lines of “I’m playing a provisional ball.” Official rule 18.3 states “the player must use the word ‘provisional’ or otherwise clearly indicate that he or she is playing the ball provisionally under Rule 18.3.”
Other Important Details Regarding Provisional Balls in Golf
- If you hit a provisional ball and wish to play it after finding your original ball, unfortunately, this isn’t allowed. A provisional ball is meant as a safety measure, unlike a mulligan, so you and your group can keep a good pace throughout the round. For more information about Rule 18.3 – Provisional Ball, click here for the official USGA rules.