Hi Linda!
I'm sure you've probably answered this question before, but
I would appreciate some clarification on the rules pertaining to playing a
provisional ball.
I was playing in a group of four women today in an area
tournament. We were playing as a team on a points system. One of
the players hit her drive to the left of the fairway. All four of us
believed the ball had gone into a hazard where there was a gully and tall reedy
grass. She stated that she was going to hit a provisional and did so.
When we got up to where she thought her ball had gone, she decided it was
lost and didn't want to look for it. She then hit the provisional ball
for a second time. As she was approaching the place where her second shot
with the provisional had landed, she found her original ball. She told
the group that she was abandoning her provisional ball and would play the
remainder of the hole with her original ball. Although this would cost our
team the possibility of a point, I told her I didn't think that was the correct
thing to do. The group decided she would play both balls in and we would
consult with the local pro when we finished. As it turns out, the
question became moot because she didn't make a point with either ball.
I read Rule 27-2 and think that is the rule that applies,
but it seems a little confusing. The rule states playing the ball ahead
of where it's likely to be and I wondered if the definition of "likely to
be" changes once you find the ball. Could you please clarify?
My husband and I enjoy reading your e-mails and have learned
a lot about the rules.
Thanks!
Lulu
Dear Lulu,
Let’s take a look at what happened, what should have
happened, and the corresponding rulings.
1. If all four players are certain the ball is in the hazard
(even though it is not), the player is not entitled to hit a provisional ball.
If the ball is not found within five minutes, she must drop and play another
under Rule 26-1, since everyone is in agreement that the ball entered the
hazard.
2. If the player suspects that her ball may be lost outside the
hazard, she is entitled to hit a provisional. She should say something like:
“I’m not sure whether the ball went into the hazard, so I will hit a
provisional.” If the area where her ball is likely to be is such that a ball
not found might be lost outside the hazard (rough, high grasses, fescue, etc.),
and she does not find it, she would continue play of the hole with the
provisional. If the area were closely mown and free of debris, such that a ball
not found would clearly have entered the hazard, she would proceed under any of
the relief options for a ball in a hazard.
3. You stated: “When we got up to where she thought her ball
had gone, she decided it was lost and didn't want to look for it. She
then hit the provisional ball for a second time.” This is the correct
procedure. Once a player reaches the area where she believes her ball is likely
to be, she is entitled to stop and search for her ball, although the search is
not required. If she looks at that area and decides it is not worth the search,
she may simply continue play with the provisional. As soon as she hits her provisional from the area where her ball is
likely to be, it is now her ball in play [Rule 27-2b]. The fact that the
ball is later found a little further up is irrelevant. She may not play it. It
is “lost” under the Rules [Definition of Lost Ball].
4. When the player abandoned the provisional and hit the
original, she hit a ball (the original) that was no longer in play. This is a
wrong ball. The penalty for hitting a wrong ball is two strokes, and the player
must complete play of the hole with the provisional ball, which is her ball in
play [Rule 15-3]. Failure to do so results in disqualification.
Linda
Copyright © 2013 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.
