Trevor Ng
A provisional ball in golf is a second ball played by a golfer who believes their original ball is lost on the course or out of bounds. The golfer must announce their intention to play a provisional ball by explicitly using the word provisional or clearly indicating that they are proceeding under Rule 18.3. If the original ball is found, the golfer must continue playing with it, even if they had declared it lost. However, if the golfer hits the provisional ball 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 considered lost. It's important to note that golfers cannot play a provisional ball if they believe their original ball might be lost in a water hazard.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| When to play a provisional ball | When your ball is lost or out of bounds |
| Rules | Must announce to your opponent in match play or fellow competitor/marker in stroke play; must say "provisional" or indicate proceeding under Rule 18.3; cannot play if the ball might be lost in a water hazard |
| Benefits | Saves time; avoids having to walk back to the spot of the previous stroke |
| Drawbacks | If the original ball is found, it must be used even if the provisional ball is in better shape |
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What You'll Learn
When to use a provisional ball
A provisional ball is played when a golfer believes their original ball is lost outside a penalty area or out of bounds. Rule 18.3a states that if a golfer believes their ball is lost somewhere on the course (excluding a penalty area) or out of bounds, they may play another ball provisionally under penalty of stroke and distance. This rule is intended to keep play flowing.
When a ball is lost or out of bounds, the required progression of playing from the teeing area to the hole is disrupted. The player must resume this progression by playing again from where the previous stroke was made. Rule 18.3b states that a golfer must announce to someone that they are going to play a provisional ball. They must use the word "provisional" or clearly indicate that they are playing the ball provisionally under Rule 18.3. If there is no one nearby, the golfer may play the provisional ball and inform someone of their actions when possible.
A golfer can continue to play the provisional ball until they reach the vicinity of where they believe the original ball to be. If the provisional ball is hit 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 golfer walks forward to search for their original ball, they can no longer turn around to walk back and play a provisional.
If the provisional ball has not become the ball in play and a ball is found that might be the original, the golfer must make a reasonable effort to identify it. If the golfer fails to do so, they may be disqualified under Rule 1.2a for serious misconduct. If the original ball is found on the course outside a penalty area before the end of the three-minute search time, the provisional ball must be abandoned.
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Rules around declaring a ball lost
Golf's rules around declaring a ball lost are quite specific. The phrase "I declare the ball lost" is a common one on the golf course after a poor shot, but it has no meaning within the rules of the game. A ball is deemed lost if it is not found within three minutes of the player, caddie, or partner beginning to search for it. If the ball is found within the three-minute search window and is confirmed to be the player's ball, then it is not considered lost and remains the ball in play, unless a provisional ball has been played from a spot closer to the hole than the estimated position of the original ball.
It is important to note that there is no requirement to search for a lost ball. If a player decides not to look for their ball, they can simply abandon it. However, if a player chooses to search for their ball and it is not found within three minutes, it is then considered lost.
When a ball is lost, the player must resume their progression by playing again from where the previous stroke was made, adding a penalty stroke. This is known as taking stroke-and-distance relief, and it is available to the player no matter where their ball is on the course.
The use of a provisional ball is allowed under specific circumstances. A provisional ball can be played when the original ball might be lost outside a penalty area or out of bounds. This saves time, as the player can continue playing the provisional ball until they reach the area where the original ball is likely to be. However, if the original ball is found and is still in play, the provisional ball is no longer in play.
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How to play a provisional ball
A provisional ball is played when a player's original ball is lost or out of bounds, to save time and avoid having to return to the spot of the previous stroke. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to play a provisional ball:
Step 1: Announce Your Intention
Inform your opponent or fellow competitor that you intend to play a provisional ball. You must explicitly use the word "provisional" or reference the rule number (Rule 27-2a or Rule 18.3b) when announcing your intention. This step is crucial, as failing to do so may result in penalties.
Step 2: Play the Provisional Ball
Play your provisional ball from the same position as your original ball. You can continue to play the provisional ball until you reach the estimated location of your original ball. If your provisional ball doesn't go as far as you believe the original may have, you can keep playing it, counting shots until you reach the point where the original is believed to be.
Step 3: Assess the Situation
If your original ball is found within the three-minute search time and is in bounds, you must abandon the provisional ball and resume playing with the original. Even if the original ball is "unplayable," you must take relief based on its location. If the original ball is out of bounds or cannot be found, your provisional ball becomes the ball in play, and you add a penalty stroke.
Step 4: Understand the Penalties
Playing a provisional ball assumes the acceptance of a stroke and distance penalty. This means that, when the provisional ball becomes your ball in play, your next stroke will be counted as the fourth on the hole.
Step 5: Alternative Options
Since the introduction of the Alternative to Stroke and Distance Local Rule, there may be instances where playing under this rule is more advantageous. However, note that if you choose to play a provisional ball, you cannot subsequently use the Alternative to Stroke and Distance Local Rule.
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What happens if the original ball is found
When a golfer hits a ball and is unsure if it will be lost or out of bounds, they can elect to play a provisional ball. This is a second ball played from the same spot as the original, with the intention of saving time and avoiding the need to return to the original spot to play another shot. If the original ball is found and it is still in bounds, the golfer must continue playing with the original ball and abandon the provisional. The player must not unduly delay play, so it is important to quickly decide whether to play a provisional or not. If a player decides to play a provisional ball and then finds their original ball within the five-minute search time limit, they may continue play with the original ball. The provisional ball is then simply lifted and play continues as normal. There is no penalty for playing the provisional ball, as long as the original is still in bounds and playable. However, if the original ball is found to be lost or out of bounds, the golfer must take a penalty stroke and play their next shot from where the provisional ball lies. It is important to note that a player may only play one provisional ball per stroke, and they must inform their playing partners that they intend to do so before playing the provisional. This ensures everyone is aware of the situation and can help locate the original ball if needed.
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Announcing the use of a provisional ball
Golfers can play a provisional ball when their original ball is lost or out of bounds. If a golfer hits their ball into the woods, for example, they can save time by playing a provisional ball instead of spending time searching for the original.
It is important to note that there are specific rules governing the use of provisional balls. Firstly, golfers must announce their intention to play a provisional ball. This announcement must be made to the opponent in match play or to a fellow competitor in stroke play. Simply stating, "I'm playing another ball" is insufficient. Instead, golfers must say "provisional" or clearly indicate that they are proceeding under Rule 18.3. For example, they could say, "I'm playing another under Rule 18.3" or "I'm going to play another just in case."
Secondly, golfers cannot play a provisional ball if they believe their original ball might be lost in a water hazard. If there is a chance the ball is in a water hazard and also a chance it is lost outside the hazard, a provisional ball can be played. However, if the original ball is found to be in the water hazard, the provisional ball must be abandoned, and the golfer must play their original ball or take relief under the water hazard relief options.
Thirdly, golfers can continue to play the provisional ball until they reach the vicinity of where the original ball is believed to be. If the provisional ball is hit 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. For example, if the original ball is hit 250 yards from the tee, and the provisional ball is only hit 100 yards, the golfer can play the provisional ball until they are the same distance from the hole as the original ball's likely position.
Finally, it is important to remember that if a provisional ball is played and the original ball is found, the golfer must proceed with the original ball, even if it was declared lost. This means that even if the provisional ball is in a better position, the golfer must continue with the original ball as per the rules of golf.
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Frequently asked questions
A provisional ball is a second ball that a golfer can choose to hit if they believe their original ball is lost or out of bounds.
Yes, you must announce to your opponent or fellow competitor that you intend to play a provisional ball. Simply saying "I'm playing another ball" is not enough. You must say provisional or clearly indicate you are proceeding under Rule 18.3.
You can play a provisional ball if you think your original ball might be lost on the course 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 find your original ball, you must continue playing with it, even if you had declared it lost. The rules do not allow you to declare a ball lost.
You can play a provisional ball until you reach the vicinity of where you believe your original ball to be. If you hit the provisional beyond where the original ball was likely to be, the provisional ball becomes the ball in play and the original ball is deemed lost.
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