Rule regarding provisionals and walks of shame

[AndrewPI]

This could well be relating to a player not unlike myself who happened to have a mare today.

First tee shot goes close to out of bounds hit a tree but is not seen after landing. Provisional is taken which is even worse and finds long grass not far in front of the tee. Couple of minutes is spent looking for this 2nd ball TNA. Player then walks back to the and hits another shocker which will never be found. The player then decides that they will look for the first ball and if OOB call it a day. As this first ball was never looked for originally can it still be played even though the player has walked back to the tee?

[aces_up1504]

As long as he declares his 3rd ball a provesional as well, his first ball can be looked for.

If the 3rd ball is not declared a prov it become his ball in play and the 1st ball can not be played

[SkankyShanky]

I *think* your provisional remains a provisional until you're past where you think the original was.

One mistake I made once was hit a drive, but foggy day and noone saw it, hit a provisional, same again. Had a look and couldn't find either so went back to the tee and hit another, but then on walking found the original right in middle of fairway. Because I'd gone back 2nd provisional became ball in play. I didn't know and played the original and got DQ'd.

If I'd played the 2nd provisional from the tee (i.e. not gone to look and then walked back) it would have been OK apparently.

[aces_up1504]

I *think* your provisional remains a provisional until you're past where you think the original was.

One mistake I made once was hit a drive, but foggy day and noone saw it, hit a provisional, same again. Had a look and couldn't find either so went back to the tee and hit another, but then on walking found the original right in middle of fairway. Because I'd gone back 2nd provisional became ball in play. I didn't know and played the original and got DQ'd.

If I'd played the 2nd provisional from the tee (i.e. not gone to look and then walked back) it would have been OK apparently.

would have the 5 mins not past to find the orginal ball anyway?

[SkankyShanky]

Normally, yes, but in this case no (it was so foggy we didn't really spend any time looking, the tee time behind hadn't even arrived)

[georgiemac]

Normally, yes, but in this case no (it was so foggy we didn't really spend any time looking, the tee time behind hadn't even arrived)

If you'd gone back to the tee after looking for the original and the provisional with no success how would it be another provisional? Wouldn't it just be your fifth shot?

[SkankyShanky]

Exactly, which is why I got DQ'd. My point was that the walking back was the problem, if I'd hit two provisionals whilst still on the tee then found the original, it would've been ok

[aces_up1504]

Exactly, which is why I got DQ'd. My point was that the walking back was the problem, if I'd hit two provisionals whilst still on the tee then found the original, it would've been ok

So why is walking back the problem?

[SkankyShanky]

I have no idea but was told them's the rules. I think it's something like you can only hit a provisional right there and then after you think you might have lost the original. You can't walk back and hit a provisional (as georgiemac says, walking back means that shots is the one that's in play)

[AndrewPI]

My understanding is that once you walk back you render the ball lost. Where I am not sure is whether that just relates to the ball you have tried searching for or any ball you have hit previously on that hole.

[SkankyShanky]

I guess it's all balls.

[Blofeld]

My understanding is that once you walk back you render the ball lost. Where I am not sure is whether that just relates to the ball you have tried searching for or any ball you have hit previously on that hole.

No that is not correct.

A ball is lost if:
a: it isnt found or identified by the player within 5 minutes of the player or his caddie has begun to search for it

b: the player has made a stroke at at provisional ball from the place where the original ball is likely to be or from a point closer to the hole

c: The player has put another ball into play under penalty of stroke and distance

d: the player has put another ball into play because it is know or virtually certain the that ball which has not been found has been moved by an outside agency, is in an obstruction, is in an abnormal ground condition or is in a water hazard.

e) the player has made a stroke at a substituted ball

Walking back to the tee does not render the original ball lost.

[SkankyShanky]

but what's the rule about playing a provisional? Maybe the above is right, but if you hit a ball and can't find it, then if your only choice is to go back and hit another (i.e. you can't go back and hit a provisional whilst your partners carry on looking) then the first ball becomes lost, even if original subsequently found within 5 mins?

[SkankyShanky]

top little cartoon on here says exactly that:
http://www.randa.org/Playing-Golf/Quick-Guide-to-the-Rules/Ball-Lost-or-Out-of-Bounds-Provisional-Ball.aspx

You have to declare and play the provisional BEFORE going forward to search

[georgiemac]

but what's the rule about playing a provisional? Maybe the above is right, but if you hit a ball and can't find it, then if your only choice is to go back and hit another (i.e. you can't go back and hit a provisional whilst your partners carry on looking) then the first ball becomes lost, even if original subsequently found within 5 mins?

My comment before was relating to it being a provisional. For it to be a provisional you have to declare it as such. I was a bit baffled as to why if you had given up looking for the first two and returned to the tee why would you then declare the third a provisional?