Trevor Ng
A provisional ball is a second golf ball played by a golfer who believes their first ball may be lost (but not in a penalty area or out of bounds). The purpose of the rule is to save time: if a golfer hits a provisional ball and then goes forward to search for their original ball but can't find it, they can continue with the provisional ball instead of having to go back and replay the shot. If the original ball is found, the golfer must continue playing with it, even if they had declared it lost.
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What You'll Learn
When to play a provisional ball
A provisional ball is played when a player believes their original ball might be lost or out of bounds. Playing a provisional ball saves time that would otherwise be spent confirming the status of the original ball.
According to Rule 18.3a, a player can play a ball provisionally under penalty of stroke and distance when they believe their original ball might be lost somewhere on the course (but not in a penalty area) or out of bounds. It is important to note that a provisional ball cannot be played if the original ball might be lost in a water hazard.
To play a provisional ball correctly, two requirements must be met:
- The player must announce their intention to play a provisional ball by using the words "provisional ball" or referencing Rule 18.3a. Simply stating "I'm playing another ball" is insufficient.
- The player must play the provisional ball before going forward to search for the original ball. If the player walks forward to search for the original ball, they can no longer turn back to play a provisional ball.
A player can continue playing the provisional ball until they reach the place where the original ball is likely to be. If the provisional ball is played from a point beyond where the original ball was likely to be, the provisional ball becomes the ball in play, and the original ball is deemed lost.
If the original ball is found within three minutes of the player or their caddie beginning the search, the player must abandon the provisional ball and continue playing with the original ball. If the original ball is found outside a penalty area before the end of the three-minute search time, the provisional ball must be abandoned.
In summary, a provisional ball should be played when a player believes their original ball might be lost or out of bounds, following the correct procedures outlined in Rule 18.3a to ensure the provisional ball is played legally.
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Rules for playing a provisional ball
A provisional ball is a second ball played with the intention of saving time in case the original ball is lost or out of bounds. It is important to note that a provisional ball cannot be played if the original ball is believed to be in a penalty area. If the original ball is found to be in a penalty area, Rule 17 should be followed.
When playing a provisional ball, it is necessary to explicitly announce the intention to do so. Statements such as "I'm playing another ball" or "I better re-tee" are insufficient. The player must clearly state their intention to play a "provisional ball" or reference Rule 27-2a or Rule 18.3. This announcement must be made to the opponent in match play or a fellow competitor/marker in stroke play.
If a player walks forward to search for their original ball, they cannot turn back to play a provisional. In such cases, the player must return to the spot of their previous stroke and play under stroke-and-distance rules.
A player can continue playing the provisional ball until they reach the vicinity of where the original ball is believed to be. If the provisional ball is played from a point beyond where the original ball is likely to be, the provisional ball becomes the ball in play, and the original ball is deemed lost.
If the original ball is found within three minutes, the player must identify it. If the original ball is found outside a penalty area before the end of the three-minute search time, the provisional ball must be abandoned.
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What to do if your ball is lost
A provision in golf refers to a provisional ball that is played in case the original ball is lost or goes out of bounds.
If you think your ball might be lost, you can save time by playing a provisional ball under penalty of stroke and distance. You must announce that you are playing a provisional ball before doing so. If you are unable to find your original ball, your provisional ball becomes the ball in play, and you add a penalty stroke, meaning your next stroke is the fourth on the hole.
If you are recording a round for handicap or playing by the rules, you can either tee off again as your third or hit four on the edge of the fairway adjacent to where the ball is estimated to be lost. However, this rule is rarely followed, as it can be time-consuming to go back to the tee and slow down the pace of play.
According to Rule 18, a ball is considered lost if it is not found within three minutes after you, your caddie, your partner, or your partner's caddie begin to search for it. If a ball is found within this time but it is uncertain if it is yours, you must identify the ball within a reasonable time, even if that happens after the three-minute search time has ended.
If your ball is lost, you must take stroke-and-distance relief by playing a ball from where your previous stroke was made. Once you put another ball in play, your original ball is no longer in play and must be abandoned, even if it is found later on the course.
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What to do if your ball is out of bounds
A provisional ball is played when a player's original ball might be lost or out of bounds, saving the player the time of walking back to the spot of their previous stroke.
If your ball is out of bounds, you have three minutes to search for it before it is considered lost. Out of bounds is defined as all areas outside the boundary edge of the course. If your ball is out of bounds or lost, your only option is to go back to the spot of your previous stroke to play under stroke and distance. There are only a few exceptions to this when it is known or virtually certain what happened to the ball.
There is an optional Local Rule that provides an alternative to stroke and distance relief when it 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 of bounds and then find the nearest fairway edge that is not nearer the hole than the estimated spot. 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.
Additionally, there is a local out-of-bounds rule that says you can drop a ball in the fairway closest to where the ball went out of bounds for an additional two-stroke penalty, but this is up to the rules committee of your course. This procedure cannot be used for a lost ball. If you cannot find your ball or have gone out of bounds, your provisional ball becomes the ball in play, and you add one penalty stroke, meaning your next stroke is the fourth on the hole.
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Provisional ball and penalty areas
A provision in golf is a rule that allows a golfer to take a specific action in certain situations. Provisions are typically related to the rules of the game and are designed to provide relief or an advantage to the player in specific situations. One common provision in golf is the use of a provisional ball, which is often used when a player believes their original ball may be lost or out of bounds.
A provisional ball is a type of provision in golf that allows a player to save time and avoid taking a stroke-and-distance penalty when their original ball is lost or out of bounds. When a player hits a shot that may be lost outside a penalty area or out of bounds, they can choose to play a provisional ball instead of spending time searching for the original ball. The player must announce their intention to play a provisional ball before taking the shot. The provisional ball becomes the ball in play under penalty of stroke and distance. This means that if the original ball is not found or is out of bounds, the player incurs a one-stroke penalty, and their next stroke is the fourth on the hole.
Penalty areas in golf are typically defined as areas where a ball is often lost or unable to be played. They are usually bodies of water or other areas defined by the committee. When a ball comes to rest in a penalty area, the player is allowed to take relief with a one-stroke penalty. The player has several options for taking relief, including playing the ball as it lies without a penalty or playing a ball from outside the penalty area. If the player chooses to take relief, they must do so within the specific guidelines provided by the rules, such as dropping the ball within a certain distance from the point where the ball last crossed the edge of the penalty area.
It is important to note that the rules regarding provisional balls and penalty areas may vary depending on the specific course and the local rules established by the committee. Additionally, there may be exceptions to the standard rules, such as when it is known or virtually certain what happened to the ball, allowing players to substitute another ball under a different rule.
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Frequently asked questions
A provisional ball is a second golf ball played by a golfer who believes their first ball may be lost or out of bounds.
You can play a provisional ball when you believe your original ball is lost or out of bounds. However, you cannot play a provisional ball if you think your original ball might be lost in a water hazard.
If you intend to play a provisional ball, you must announce it to your opponent in match play or your fellow competitor/marker in stroke play. You must use the word "provisional" to indicate what you are doing. You can continue to play your provisional ball until you reach the place where your original ball is likely to be. If you hit the provisional from a point beyond where the original was likely to be, the provisional ball becomes the ball in play, and the original ball is deemed lost.
