Declaring "Ball in play" instead of "provisional"?

[Colin L]

Absolutely. Most people hit a ball that everyone assumes is a provisional - they might say so, or they might imply it by saying they're hitting another one or reloading or whatever. Even though it's against what the rule says (that you have to state 'provisional'), I think people now assume provisional because that's the case 95% of the time.

Once they've cracked the provisional down the centre they'll just tell everyone they're abandoning the first one anyway and that they don't want it looked for.

Just to be clear, it is advisable but not essential to use the word provisional. See Clarification 3.b/1

https://www.randa.org/rog/interpretations/rule-18#18_3b_1

 

[chrisd]

Doesn't happen with anyone I've played with. Male or female.

Its only happened once in a game i've been in, as far as i recall. I remember explaining to the guy exactly why he needed to tell us before hitting the ball what its standing in the match was.

 

[rulefan]

Just to be clear, it is advisable but not essential to use the word provisional. See Clarification 3.b/1

https://www.randa.org/rog/interpretations/rule-18#18_3b_1

But a statement must be made that “Clearly Indicates” it is a Provisional.