What is a Provisional Shot Ball in Golf? Rules of Golf Ball Lost After Hitting

Golf, often referred to as the sport of precision, strategy, and patience, comes with its own set of intricate rules and guidelines. What is a Provisional Shot Ball in Golf? Among these rules is the concept of a provisional shot. 

A provisional ball in golf is essentially a backup ball that a golfer may choose to play when their original ball is lost or goes out of bounds. This backup ball allows you to continue the play without returning to the tee box, incurring a penalty, or disrupting the pace of the game.

Read on to learn everything you need to know about provisional balls to avoid penalty strokes and speed up play.

Key Takeaways 

• A provisional ball is an extra ball played in case your first ball may be lost or out of bounds.
• Declare you are hitting a provisional and do so before making a stroke.
• If you find the original ball in bounds, continue play with it.
• The provisional becomes the ball in play if the first ball is lost or O.B.
• Don’t hit provisionals for balls in penalty areas, only when uncertain if the ball will be found.

What Is a Provisional Shot Ball in Golf?

A provisional ball in golf refers to playing an additional ball after you have hit your original ball from the tee or fairway. The purpose is to potentially avoid the stroke and distance penalty if it turns out your first ball is lost outside of a penalty area or out of bounds.

Here is a quick definition of a provisional ball:

• A provisional ball is an extra ball you play in stroke play in case your first ball might be lost or out of bounds.
• You must declare you are playing a provisional ball before hitting it.
• If you find your original ball in bounds, you must continue playing it.
• If the original is lost or out of bounds, the provisional becomes your ball in play under penalty of stroke and distance.

The provisional ball rule allows you to play efficiently without returning all the way back to the tee if your original ball is lost. It’s an important rule that can speed up pace of play.

When Should You Hit a Provisional Ball in Golf?

The main time to play a provisional ball in golf is when your original ball might be lost or out of bounds. Here are the key circumstances when you should hit a provisional:

• When your tee shot might be lost in deep rough, trees, bushes or other areas.
• When you hit a ball near a penalty area and it might be lost in the water or desert sand.
• When your ball might be lost outside of the golf course boundary.
• Anytime you think there is a reasonable chance your ball could be lost outside a penalty area.

Some other times you may want to play a provisional include:

• When you slice or hook your tee shot significantly off line.
• If your ball lands near an area where it could be lost like longer rough, trees or bushes.
• When you are unsure if your ball carried over a hazard or landed in it.

The provisional ball gives you a backup option without returning to the tee or spot of your previous shot. It helps avoid delays and speed up play.

How to Hit a Provisional Golf Ball According to the Rules

When playing a provisional ball in golf, you must follow these steps:

1. Indicate you are about to play a provisional ball and do so before making a stroke.
2. Play a ball from as close as possible to the original spot.
3. Announce you are playing a provisional ball to your playing partners.

Once you play the provisional ball, here is what happens:

• If you find your original ball in bounds, you must continue playing it.
• If the original ball is lost or out of bounds, the provisional ball becomes your new ball in play under penalty of stroke and distance.
• You must stop playing the provisional ball once you reach the spot where your first ball is likely lost. At that point it’s either found or lost.

It’s key to declare “provisional ball” and play it from the original spot. Also, you must stop playing it once reaching the area where your first ball might be lost.

What Happens If You Find Your Original Ball in Play After Hitting a Provisional?

A common question is what happens if you hit a provisional ball but end up finding your original ball in bounds. In this case:

• You must continue playing your original ball.
• The provisional ball must be abandoned.
• All strokes with the provisional ball do not count.

Even if you hit a great provisional shot, if your original ball is found in bounds, you must play it. The provisional is no longer in play once your first ball is found.

What Is the Penalty If You Play the Wrong Ball?

If you mistakenly play the provisional ball instead of your original ball that is found in bounds, you incur a 2-stroke penalty. You must then go back and play your original ball.

Here are the penalties if you incorrectly play the provisional ball:

• 2-stroke penalty if you play the provisional when your original ball is found in bounds.
• 2-stroke penalty if you play the original when the provisional was the proper ball in play.
• 2-stroke penalty if you make a stroke with the wrong ball not being a provisional.

So pay close attention to which ball is actually in play to avoid a 2-stroke penalty.

Can You Hit a Provisional Ball for a Hazard?

Provisional balls are meant to be played when your original might be lost or out of bounds. If your ball is in a penalty area like a water hazard or bunker, you may not hit a provisional.

Instead, you can take penalty relief or play the original ball as it lies in the hazard. Provisional balls are only for when the original is uncertain to be found, not just in a penalty area.

Provisional vs. Drop: Understanding the Difference

While provisional shots are taken when your original ball may be lost or out of bounds, dropping a ball under penalty rules occurs in various other situations, such as when your ball is in a hazard or unplayable.

It’s essential to differentiate between these two scenarios and apply the appropriate rule accordingly.

Announcing the intention is also important before both provisional balls and relief drops.

	Provisional Ball	Drop Ball
When to Use	Original ball may be lost or OOB	Ball is in a penalty area or unplayable lie
How to Take	Play a second ball from original spot	Take relief by dropping a ball near the original spot
What to Announce	Must declare “provisional ball”	Must specify the reason for drop (hazard, unplayable lie, etc)
Status of Original Ball	Remains in play if found	Always out of play after dropping
Status of New Ball	Only in play if original is lost	Always becomes ball in play after drop
Stroke Penalty	1 stroke if provisional is played	1 stroke penalty (2 for unplayable lie

What Is a Provisional Shot Ball in Golf? Changes to Provisional Ball Rules in 2023

Golf rules are periodically updated to ensure fairness and clarity in the game. As of 2023, there have been some changes in the provisional ball rules. It’s important to stay updated with these rule changes, as they may impact how you play provisional shots and other aspects of the game.

Here is an outline covering changes to the provisional ball rules in 2023:

Time Limit to Look for Original Ball Reduced

• Old Rule: 3 minutes to search for original ball before hitting provisional
• New Rule: Only 2 minutes to search before hitting provisional

Exact Spot No Longer Required

• Old Rule: Provisional had to be played from exact same spot as original
• New Rule: Can drop provisional within one club length of original spot

New Penalty Relief Options

• Old Rule: No penalty relief if original ball lost
• New Rule: Can take back-on-the-line relief or lateral relief if original ball lost, each with 2 stroke penalty

When to Stop Playing Provisional

• Old Rule: Had to stop playing provisional when reaching estimated spot of original ball
• New Rule: Can continue playing provisional until reaching the hole or deciding original ball definitely lost

These changes aim to speed up pace of play and provide more options if original ball is lost. Ensure you are aware of the 2023 provisional ball rules.

The Importance of Provisional Shots in Maintaining Pace of Play

Provisional shots in golf play a vital role in maintaining the pace of the game. Golf is often criticized for its slow pace, and the rules of provisional shots help mitigate this issue.

By allowing golfers to continue play without extensive searches for lost balls, provisional shots ensure that the game moves along smoothly, benefiting both players and the overall golfing experience.

It not only helps you adhere to the rules of golf but also ensures that you can enjoy a faster-paced and more enjoyable round. 

What Is a Provisional Shot Ball in Golf? Things To Remember To Play a Provisional Ball

There are a few things to keep in mind when playing a provisional ball:

• You must announce to your playing partners that you are playing a provisional ball before you hit it.
• You can only play a provisional ball if you think your original ball might be lost or out of bounds.
• If you find your original ball, you must continue playing it and discard the provisional ball.
• If you cannot find your original ball, you must continue playing the provisional ball under penalty of stroke and distance.

FAQs

How many strokes does a provisional ball count as?

A provisional ball does not count as a stroke. It is simply a backup ball to maintain the pace of play.

Can I play a second provisional ball if I cannot find my first provisional ball?

No, you can only play one provisional ball. If you cannot find your first provisional ball, you must continue to play your original ball under penalty of stroke and distance.

Do I have to play my provisional ball if I find my original ball?

No, you do not have to play your provisional ball if you find your original ball. You can simply discard the provisional ball and continue playing your original ball.

What happens if I hit my provisional ball out of bounds?

If you hit your provisional ball out of bounds, you must play a third ball from the spot where you hit another original ball under penalty of stroke and distance.

When should you announce your intentions to play a provisional ball?

It’s crucial to announce your intentions before hitting a provisional ball to ensure clarity with your playing partners and adherence to the rules.

Conclusion:

In summary, a provisional ball in golf is a strategic tool that golfers use when their original ball is potentially lost or out of bounds. Be sure to announce before you intend to play a provisional, choose the right circumstances like potential lost balls, and know which ball remains in play.  

Keep this rule in mind whenever uncertain about a ball being found to maximize your pace of play. The provisional ball rule is a simple but important rule in golf. So, the next time your ball goes missing or seems to be out of bounds, don’t hesitate to play another ball provisionally, and keep the game moving smoothly. Happy golfing!