Hi Linda,
What happens when you hit multiple provisional balls in the following scenario:
1) Original stroke (possibly lost)
2) Provisional ball (iffy)
3) Provisional ball (iffy again)
4) Provisional ball (topped near to the ladies tee box and playable)
The original ball and first two provisionals were much further ahead of the 3rd provisional near ladies tee box.
In the interest of time, the 3rd provisional ball is played again from near the Ladies tee box (my 7th stroke). After playing the shot, however, my original ball is found. Can I then play my original ball (without penalty) even though I have already hit the 3rd provisional ball again before looking for the original ball?
Lou
Dear Lou,
The sole purpose of hitting a provisional ball is to save time. That is why the rule (27-2) is in the book. Your procedure was correct. You hit the provisional that traveled a shorter distance than the original and the two prior provisionals, and then found the original before hitting the provisional from the place where the original was likely to be. Once the original was found (presumably within the five-minute period allotted for search), you must abandon the provisional and proceed with the original. You have incurred no penalty strokes.
Since you hit several provisionals, I would like to go over the scoring if you had not found your original ball. If you don’t find the original, and you do find the first provisional, then you lie three with the first provisional, and your next shot will be your fourth.
If you don’t find the original or the first provisional, and you do find the second provisional, then you lie five with the second provisional and your next shot will be your sixth.
If the only ball that can be found is the third provisional, that ball lies seven where it settled near the women’s tee, and your second strike of that ball is your eighth shot on the hole.
Don’t ever be embarrassed to hit several provisional balls. Even if you have to hit three or more, it still takes less time than a trek back to the tee when your original turns out to be lost.
Linda
Copyright © 2011 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.
