Hi Linda,
My question is about cancelling your first tee shot and declaring your provisional ball the ball in play.
The player really likes his 3rdshot off the tee (that he had called a provisional) – and tells his fellow golfers he will not be looking for his original tee shot.
1. Is his ball no longer a provisional because he says so?
2. What if one of the other players finds the original ball before the player is able to play his “provisional”?
3. Is it true that you can’t “declare” a ball lost?
4. Match play – can an opponent make an effort to locate the original ball? (It might be in his interest.)
CHEERS,
Lulu from Queenstown, New Zealand
Dear Lulu,
There is no requirement that a player search for his original ball. However, if it is found within three minutes and before the provisional becomes the ball in play (see Rule 18.3c), he must abandon the provisional and continue play with the original.
Here are the answers to your questions:
1. No. Once a player announces and plays a provisional ball, he cannot change the status of that ball by declaration.
2. If the original ball is found within three minutes and before the player has a chance to play the provisional, he must abandon the provisional and continue play with the original.
3. That is true. A ball does not become “lost” under the Rules by declaration.
4. Anyone, in any form of play, may search for the player’s ball.
Please take a moment to read Rule 18.3.
Linda
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