When and how do you play a provisional ball?
By The Fairway Labs TeamReviewed
Off the tee & lost balls
Penalty: None
When and how do you play a provisional ball?
PenaltyNone· under Rule 18.3
What to do
- 1Say “provisional” clearly before playing the extra ball.
- 2Play it from the same spot as your original shot (or as close as possible).
- 3If you find the original ball in bounds, continue play with it and abandon the provisional.
- 4If the original is lost or out of bounds, the provisional becomes your ball in play, under stroke and distance.
Based on the modern Rules of Golf (Rule 18.3), as published by the USGA and The R&A and effective from the 2019 revision. Local rules can modify some situations — check the scorecard or with the committee when in doubt.
Related rulings
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