Hi Linda,
My drive went towards a lateral hazard from the tee (a
semi-dry ditch/streambed). All 3 players agreed it was almost certainly in the
hazard. On walking up we could not identify the ball but agreed where we felt
it entered and I took a 1-shot penalty drop within 2 club-lengths of the
apparent entry point. This, I believe, was now my ball in play. After playing
the ball and walking forward 20 yards I then actually saw my original ball in
the hazard. Had I actually found it earlier I would have gained 20 yards for my
shot. Later on, when describing this situation, it was suggested to me that,
although we all agreed the ball entered the hazard, I COULD have chosen to play
a provisional FROM THE POINT WHERE WE ALLEGED THE BALL ENTERED THE HAZARD but
continue to search for it for a full 5 minutes. I suggested that this is not
possible and the only option for a provisional ball would have been to have
played one from the tee at the time of tee off or to return to the tee as the
ball was not identified, on the basis that I MIGHT find the ball, either in the
hazard and playable or out of the hazard. It seems logical to me that as soon
as there is agreement that the ball has entered the hazard there is no option
to play a provisional ball from that point. But I had 3 insistent ladies trying
to persuade me otherwise.
I look forward to your response with interest.
Thanks,
Lou from Wales
Dear Lou,
Dear me! What is there about provisional balls that golfers
have so much trouble understanding? The Rule, from my perspective, is
straightforward and clear. Perhaps it’s time for everyone to pause and read the
Rule.
Your understanding of the Rule is correct, Lou; the three
insistent ladies are wrong. You have the option to hit a provisional ball for a
ball that may be lost outside a water hazard. The provisional ball is hit from the spot where your original was last played,
and you must hit it before you go forward to search for your ball [Rule 27-2a].
(There was a small change to this Rule at the two-year revision, allowing
players to return to hit a provisional after they have walked forward
approximately 50 yards.)
You may not search for your ball and subsequently return to
where you hit your last ball to hit a provisional, and you most certainly may not hit a provisional from the area where you
are searching for your ball.
If there is knowledge or virtual certainty that the ball is
in the hazard, you may not even hit a provisional ball. The ball you drop and
play under the water hazard rule is your ball in play, period. According to
your narrative, where you dropped your ball was agreed to by all parties, and
it was your best estimate as to where your ball last crossed the margin of the
hazard. The Rules understand that your best guess may occasionally turn out to
be incorrect; they nevertheless respect that you are doing your best to be
accurate about where to drop.
Linda
Copyright © 2015 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.
