Hi Linda,
I think I'm having a senior moment. In Ask Linda #906
(copied below), you advise this:
“Regarding your hypothetical question about short rough on
the far side of the pond:
If the ground is such that a ball not found would be certain
to be in the hazard (short grass, no place for a ball to hide), the player may
choose any of the relief options for a ball in a water hazard. He may not play
the provisional ball. It would be a wrong ball.”
I don't understand why he could not have played the
provisional ball (which would be his 3rd shot under the stroke and distance
option for a ball in a water hazard, no?) If one of his options normally
would have been to go back to where he originally hit the ball into the hazard,
why isn't the provisional ball just that??
Thanks again for your great column. All these golf
rules give me a headache!!
All the best
Lulu from Ireland
Dear Lulu,
This is one of those Rules that will not ease your headache.
Rule 27-2b states: “If the original ball is lost outside a
water hazard…the provisional ball becomes the ball in play.” Once it is
determined that a ball not found outside a water hazard is most definitely in the hazard (short grass, no rough,
no trees or underbrush, etc.), the player must proceed under one of the relief options
under Rule 26-1 for a ball in a water hazard.
The provisional ball was not played under Rule 26-1. It was
played as a provisional ball for a ball that might be lost outside a hazard. The provisional cannot count as a ball played
under stroke and distance for a ball in a water hazard, because it was played under the provisional rule,
not the water hazard rule. When it is determined that the original is in
the hazard, the provisional must be abandoned. The player has a new situation
(ball definitely in hazard, not lost outside of hazard), and must proceed under
the applicable Rule, which is 26-1.
Linda
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