Jackson Reid
In golf, a provisional ball is a time-saving measure that can be used when a player believes their original ball may be lost or out of bounds. If a player hits a shot that they think may be lost or out of bounds, they can play another ball provisionally under penalty of stroke and distance. The player must announce their intention to play a provisional ball by saying the word provisional or clearly indicating that they are proceeding under Rule 18.3. It is important to note that a provisional ball cannot be played if the original ball is believed to be lost in a water hazard. If there is a chance that the original ball is lost in a water hazard and also a chance that it is lost outside the hazard, a provisional ball can be played. However, if the original ball is found, the player must continue using it, even if they had declared it lost.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| When to play | When a ball is believed to be lost or out of bounds |
| Rules | Must announce to opponent in match play or fellow competitor/marker in stroke play |
| Rules | Cannot play a provisional ball if the original ball might be lost in a water hazard |
| Rules | If the original ball is found, it must be used, even if the provisional ball is in better shape |
| Rules | If the original ball is found after playing a provisional, the provisional is forgotten |
| Rules | If the original ball is lost or out of bounds, the player must return to the spot of the previous stroke to play under stroke and distance |
| Advantage | Saves time on the golf course |
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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 may be lost outside a penalty area or out of bounds. It saves time on the golf course by allowing the player to continue playing without having to walk back to the tee.
According to Rule 18.3, if a player hits a shot and believes it may be lost somewhere on the course (excluding a penalty area) or out of bounds, they may play a provisional ball under penalty of stroke and distance. It is important to note that the player must explicitly announce their intention to play a provisional ball. Simply saying, "I'm playing another ball" is not sufficient. Instead, they must use the word "provisional" or clearly indicate that they are proceeding under Rule 18.3.
When playing a provisional ball, the golfer hits another ball from the same position as the original shot. If the original ball is found within three minutes and is in bounds, the provisional ball is abandoned, and the player must continue with the original ball, even if it is in a less favourable position. If the original ball is found in a penalty area, the provisional ball cannot be used, and the player must take relief based on the location of the original ball.
It is important to understand that a provisional ball can be played until the golfer reaches 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 active ball, and the original ball is considered lost. This scenario underscores the strategic value of a provisional ball, as it allows golfers to avoid taking a stroke-and-distance penalty.
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How to play a provisional ball
A provisional ball is a ball that golfers can play in certain circumstances, as per the Rules of Golf. A golfer can play a provisional ball when they think their original ball might be lost or out of bounds. Playing a provisional ball saves time and the hassle of walking back to the spot of the previous stroke.
Announce your intention
You must announce your intention to play a provisional ball to your opponent in match play or to your fellow competitor/marker in stroke play. You must use the words "provisional ball" or reference Rule 27-2a when announcing your intention. Statements like "I'm going to reload" or "I'll hit another" do not satisfy this requirement.
Play the provisional ball before searching for the original
You must play the provisional ball before you walk forward to search for your original ball. If you have walked approximately 50 yards or more to search for your original ball, you can no longer turn around to walk back and play a provisional.
You can play a provisional ball if your original ball might be lost or out of bounds
If there is a chance that your original ball is lost in a water hazard, you cannot play a provisional ball. However, if there is a chance that your ball is lost in trees or long grass outside the water hazard, you can play a provisional ball. If it is determined that your original ball is in the water hazard, you must abandon the provisional ball and play your original ball or take relief under the water hazard relief options.
Play the provisional ball until you reach the place where your original ball is likely to be
You can continue to play your provisional ball until you reach the place where your original ball is likely to be. For example, if you hit your original ball 250 yards from the tee but only hit your provisional ball 100 yards, you can keep playing the provisional ball until you are the same distance from the hole as where your original ball is likely to be.
Provisional ball becomes the ball in play
If you cannot find your original ball or it is 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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Rules around announcing a provisional ball
A provisional ball is played when a golfer believes their original ball may be lost or out of bounds. Playing a provisional ball saves time, as golfers are not required to walk back to the spot of their previous shot.
According to Rule 18.3b, a golfer must announce that they are playing a provisional ball before taking their stroke. The simplest way to do this is to say, "I'm going to play a provisional ball." However, golfers do not need to use the exact phrase "provisional ball" in their announcement, as long as their intention to play a provisional ball is clear. For example, if a golfer is playing alone and there is no one around to hear their announcement, they can play a provisional ball and tell someone when it is "possible to do so".
If a golfer fails to announce that they are playing a provisional ball, any ball played from where the previous stroke was made becomes the ball in play under penalty of stroke and distance.
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Provisional balls and water hazards
A provisional ball is played when a player believes their original ball may be lost or out of bounds. Playing a provisional ball saves time, as the player does not have to walk to where their ball landed to confirm that it is lost or out of bounds and then walk back to the spot of their previous stroke.
Rule 27-2 (Provisional Ball) requires two things to be done correctly:
- The player must announce their intention to play a provisional ball. This must be done before taking the stroke and the player must use the words "provisional ball" or reference the Rule number (27-2a).
- The player must play the second ball before they have gone forward to search for the original ball.
It is important to note that a player cannot play a provisional ball if they think their original ball might be lost in a water hazard. If there is a chance that the original ball is lost in a water hazard, but also a chance that it is lost outside the hazard, the player can play a provisional ball. If it is then determined that the original ball is in the water hazard, the player must abandon the provisional and play their original ball or take relief under the water hazard relief options.
If a player's ball lands in a water hazard, they have the following options:
- Play the shot as it lies. This is rarely possible and would result in no penalty shot. The club can be grounded and loose impediments can be moved.
- Take a 1-shot penalty and play from where the original stroke was made.
- Take a drop from the point where the ball last crossed into the hazard, moving back in a straight line as far as desired, or take a 1-shot penalty.
- If the water hazard is marked by red sticks or lines, the player can take the point where the ball last crossed into the hazard and drop within two club lengths of this point, not closer to the hole.
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Provisional balls and original balls found
A provisional ball is a second ball that a golfer is allowed to play in certain circumstances. If a golfer hits their original ball into a wooded area or long grass, they can play a provisional ball, which is often hit from a more advantageous position. This is to save the golfer from having to walk back to the original spot of their previous stroke.
If a golfer hits a provisional ball, they must announce this to their opponent in match play or their fellow competitor in stroke play. If a golfer walks forward to search for their original ball, they cannot then turn around to play a provisional ball.
If a golfer hits a provisional ball and it is also lost or out of bounds, they can play a second provisional ball. A golfer can continue to play their provisional ball until they reach the place where their original ball is likely to be.
If a golfer plays a provisional ball and then finds their original ball, they must abandon the provisional and continue playing with the original. If a golfer cannot distinguish between their original and provisional balls, they must choose one and treat it as the provisional ball, under Rule 18.3c(2).
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