Hi Linda,
How do you score this scenario? My partner hits two provisional
balls (3 balls off the tee), all in the same area. We then search and find the
two provisional balls (the original is lost). Both provisional balls are
unplayable. He decides to take a drop of one of his provisional balls. He
thinks it is his first provisional ball, but he’s not sure. What is he playing
after the drop? Or should he have had to go back to the tee to play a third
provisional ball until it is in play?
Lou from Melbourne, Australia
Dear Lou,
Since the player is uncertain which provisional ball he hit
first, the equitable solution under the Rules is to assume that the provisional
he chooses to continue with is the second ball he hit provisionally [Decision
27/11]. Count the original tee shot, the one-stroke penalty under stroke and
distance for the first provisional, the stroke with the first provisional, the
one-stroke penalty under stroke and distance for the second provisional, and
the stroke with the second provisional. Up to this point, the player’s score is
5. He will incur a one-stroke penalty for taking relief for an unplayable ball.
After the drop, his next stroke will be his 7th on the hole.
This player would have lowered his score by two if he had
followed the recommended procedures of marking each provisional ball
distinctively and describing each ball to his fellow competitors before he hit
them.
Linda
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