Could I of played my provisional ball?

[Dasit]

So if you identify it as your ball, you are expected to go back to the tee and play your third shot, as your provisional is dead?

Does seem like a nightmare for slow play

 

[Imurg]

So if you identify it as your ball, you are expected to go back to the tee and play your third shot, as your provisional is dead?

Does seem like a nightmare for slow play

That's right. Them's the rules.

 

[rulefan]

I'm only marginally familiar with the UK school system....are spelling and grammar mandatory subjects at some level?

It seems that at some time in the recent past phonetics were in favour at school.

 

[atticusfinch]

It seems that at some time in the recent past phonetics were in favour at school.

Eye kant favur that.

 

[woody69]

So if you identify it as your ball, you are expected to go back to the tee and play your third shot, as your provisional is dead?

Does seem like a nightmare for slow play

Not really. The scenario is hardly a common occurrence.

 

[rulefan]

So if you identify it as your ball, you are expected to go back to the tee and play your third shot, as your provisional is dead?

Does seem like a nightmare for slow play

As it was almost certainly seen to be hit into a dodgy area, a provisional should be played. That's what they are there for.

 

[VVega]

As it was almost certainly seen to be hit into a dodgy area, a provisional should be played. That's what they are there for.

Just to check, as no one seems to be suggesting it.

In this situation, afaik, the player could have declared the ball unplayable while still being on the tee, and put a new ball in play under the usual penalty. This would've eliminated the "provisional" vs found risk.

Another alternative, also afaik, would've been to go quickly to the provisional and hit it (i.e. putting it in play) before the PP found the original in the hedge.

Are both of the options above valid?

 

[backwoodsman]

Just to check, as no one seems to be suggesting it.

In this situation, afaik, the player could have declared the ball unplayable while still being on the tee, and put a new ball in play under the usual penalty. This would've eliminated the "provisional" vs found risk.

Another alternative, also afaik, would've been to go quickly to the provisional and hit it (i.e. putting it in play) before the PP found the original in the hedge.

Are both of the options above valid?

Not quite.

First option. Yes, you can declare it unplayable and simply put another in play under penalty

Second option. If you run up and play the provisional, it only renders the original lost if you play the provisional from a point nearer the hole than the original is likely to be.

 

[bladeplayer]

Just to check, as no one seems to be suggesting it.

In this situation, afaik, the player could have declared the ball unplayable while still being on the tee, and put a new ball in play under the usual penalty. This would've eliminated the "provisional" vs found risk.

Another alternative, also afaik, would've been to go quickly to the provisional and hit it (i.e. putting it in play) before the PP found the original in the hedge.

Are both of the options above valid?

...
He also could have said nothing at all , played again from the tee and first ball was automatically out of play

 

[backwoodsman]

Not quite.

First option. Yes, you can declare it unplayable and simply put another in play under penalty
.

Need to qualify my post a bit.
You can declare it unplayable without looking for or finding your ball, but you can then only use the stroke and distance option (which i accept was implied by Vvega)

 

[VVega]

...
He also could have said nothing at all , played again from the tee and first ball was automatically out of play

Indeed, as you need to declare the provisional though I wonder how would have the PP reacted as he would have assumed the 2nd ball is a provis.

 

[VVega]

Need to qualify my post a bit.
You can declare it unplayable without looking for or finding your ball, but you can then only use the stroke and distance option (which i accept was implied by Vvega)

Indeed it was, this is also the option I used on occasion, good to confirm it's a valid one

 

[rulefan]

I wonder how would have the PP reacted as he would have assumed the 2nd ball is a provis.

Read the rule in the book that the player showed him.

 

[AlanMills]

From the OP I'm picturing a hedge/bush and a cliff face some distance behind and that any ball behind the hedge is completely unplayable and non-retrievable. Why then, is that hedge not considered the boundary of the course rendering the ball as OB. Would make sense if you can't even get close enough to identify a ball in there. Also, with a cliff there's the safety aspect...

but from what I've read the provisional should be played as the original ball could not be identified and so deemed lost.

 

[HawkeyeMS]

Did you actually declare the reload as a provisional? i.e. Did you use the word "provisional" when declaring your intention to hit another ball?

 

[lukeysafc100]

If you have found your original ball - that ball is now in play!
You had another option to go back to the tee and play a shot under penalty of 1 stroke.

I do like you opinion in terms of pace of play. Bt the reason you hit one is you believe your original ball is lost and may not be found - so the provisional ball is the penalty for you're first shot.

 

[ManinBlack]

If you have found your original ball - that ball is now in play!
You had another option to go back to the tee and play a shot under penalty of 1 stroke.

I do like you opinion in terms of pace of play. Bt the reason you hit one is you believe your original ball is lost and may not be found - so the provisional ball is the penalty for you're first shot.

About 50 posts too late!

 

[LincolnShep]

I guess all it boiled down to was I wish he didn't look for it when as far as me and player a was concerned it was a gonner.

He's not breaking any rule by looking for your ball but I certainly think it's bad etiquette. If I call off a search early, or decide not to search at all, then I wouldn't expect my fellow competitors to carry on. Bad egg!

 

[North Mimms]

Ball retrievers are much derided on the Forum, but maybe the OP could have got his ball out the hedge if he'd had a ball retriever in his bag...

I've definitely used the option of putting a new ball in play instead of a provisional when you know that finding the original is possible but unwelcome!

 

[Imurg]

Ball retrievers are much derided on the Forum, but maybe the OP could have got his ball out the hedge if he'd had a ball retriever in his bag...

Mmmm....Let me think...
Being able to retrieve a ball that may not have cost me anything vs the amount of stick I'd take from Fragger until my dying day......😕
Not a tricky decision I'm afraid..😂