
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 lost (but not in a penalty area or out of bounds ). Official Definition in the Rule Book
What is a provisional ball in golf?
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 lost (but not in a penalty area or out of bounds ). Official Definition in the Rule Book
Do you have to announce a provisional in golf?
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 …
What does provisional mean in legal terms?
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 purpose of the Provisional ball rule in cricket?
Sep 18, 2020 · What do the Rules of Golf say about announcing the play of a provisional ball? Rule 18.3b states “before the stroke is made, the player must announce that he or she is going to play a provisional ball.” It adds: “It is not enough for the player only to say that he or she is playing another ball or is playing again.

When can you take a provisional 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
How many strokes is a provisional?
There's no limit to the number of strokes you can take with a provisional ball. If your original is found, disregard the strokes and any penalties you might've incurred with the provisional. Continue with your original. 4.Jan 26, 2014
What is a provisional player?
A player has a provisional rating if he has not played 11 rated games in a rating category. • If you have an established rating and you play a provisional player, your rating doesn't change very much. This is why you sometimes only gain a few points for winning a game even against a higher rated player. •
Do you have to declare a provisional ball in golf?
Announcing Play of Provisional Ball Before the stroke is made, the player must announce that he or she is going to play a provisional ball: It is not enough for the player only to say that he or she is playing another ball or is playing again.
Can you hit a provisional ball twice?
Playing Provisional Ball More Than Once. You may continue to play the provisional ball. without it losing its status as a provisional ball. so long as it is played from a spot that is the same distance or farther from the hole.
How does a provisional shot work in golf?
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 lost (but not in a penalty area or out of bounds).Mar 25, 2019
What is a good chess rating for a 14 year old?
Most high schools have no more than one player rated +1400 USCF. The best high school players in most states are around 2100, and the national champions are usually ~2400-2500 USCF. If you want to compete against other high school students, go ahead and start playing USCF events as soon as you feel ready!
What does a chess rating of 800 mean?
In FIDE, anyone under 1200 is simply considered a Novice, although in the USCF, the classes continue. 1000-1200 is Class E. 800-1000 is Class F.Nov 12, 2012
What is a 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 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. (Recommended reading: How to hit a golf ball)
How many strokes is a provisional ball?
It is one stroke. Just one. But do note that you also get a penalty of stroke and distance with it. And there may be special cases wherein you could hit a provisional ball more than once – a scenario which is also covered by one of the questions answered here.
When can you play a provisional ball?
You can call on this option when your ball might be lost outside a penalty area or be out of bounds. That means to say you can’t play a provisional ball when you are aware that your ball is lost in the penalty area.
When does provisional ball become the ball in play?
This is actually a good question. 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.
Can you hit a provisional ball twice?
You might also wonder how many times you can hit your provisional ball before it becomes the ball in play. The answer to this basically depends on the distance covered by the strokes made onto the provisional ball against the place where the first (original) ball was anticipated to be lost.
What do the Rules of Golf say about announcing the play of a provisional ball?
Rule 18.3b states “before the stroke is made, the player must announce that he or she is going to play a provisional ball.”
Make sure people hear you say it
This little nugget is revealed in another interpretation to Rule 18.3b titled: “What is Considered Announcement of Provisional Ball”.
Have a question for our Rules of Golf expert?
Despite the simplification of the Rules of Golf at the beginning of 2019, there are still some that leave us scratching our heads. And as I’ve passed the R&A’s level 2 rules exam with distinction, I am more than happy to help.
Examples of provisional in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective Five provisional ballots, instead of being segregated, were run through a tabulator at Rise Church in Mobile City Council District 6. — al, 27 Aug. 2021 Republicans also failed to advance a new provisional ballot system. — Stephen Montemayor, Star Tribune, 2 July 2021
Legal Definition of provisional
What made you want to look up provisional? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
What is the meaning of "provisional"?
adjective. of, designating, or relating to the unofficial factions of the IRA and Sinn Féin that became increasingly dominant following a split in 1969. The Provisional movement remained committed to a policy of terrorism until its ceasefires of the mid-1990s.
What does "philately" mean?
noun. Philately. a stamp that serves temporarily, pending the appearance of the regular issue, or during a temporary shortage of the regular stamps. a provisional member of a group. (usually initial capital letter) a member of the Provisional wing of the Irish Republican Army.
