In trees off tee - not OOB

[mscott020]

So, if I hit into the trees off the tee, can I choose to look for the ball and then drop out at a place where I think the ball has gone into the woods?

Not OOB, so I presume no need to hit provisional or go back to the tee if the ball is lost? But that would seem to give me an advantage, as my third shot is then 200 yards closer to the hole!

Apologies if this has been covered elsewhere, but I could only find replies where the tee shot is OOB!

 

[mikejohnchapman]

Welcome to the forum.

The simple answer to your question is that if you cannot find and identify your ball within 5 minutes it is lost so you must return to the tee to replay your shot. This will now be your third shot.

 

[louise_a]

If you hit a ball into a load of trees, the sensible option is to just take 3 off the tee and not look for the ball. If you do look for and find the ball then you have 3 choices
1) play the ball it as it lies,
2) take a one shot penalty and drop it either within 2 club lengths or back on the line from the hole to the ball, both being no nearer the hole
3) you can elect to replay for the original point, in this case the tee also with a one shot penalty

You cannot just drop it where it entered the trees unless that position is allowed by one of the previously listed options.

I hope that makes sense.

 

[PhilTheFragger]

If you hit one into the trees, the normal thing to do is to hit a provisional, then if you cannot find the first, you havnt got to waste time walking back to the tee and possibly holding up groups behind you.

If you do find your first, then you follow the advice in Louise's post and disregard your provisional

if you do use the provisional, your next shot is your 4th.

 

[mscott020]

Thanks all. Very clear. Unfortunately also put into practice a few times this morning! :-(

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

And whilst it might be stating the bleedin' obvious (so excuse me), but option 2) in Louise's post, where 'the hole' is mentioned, be clear that it is 'the hole' and not 'the tee' (that's a mistake that is made).

Also that the two club lengths are from ball position and not the edge of the wood (as implied in the first sentence of your OP). So if your ball is say 20yds into the wood, and there is nowhere playable between your ball and edge of wood, you'd need something like 10 separate drops to get yourself clear. So you wouldn't do that

 

[atticusfinch]

So, if I hit into the trees off the tee, can I choose to look for the ball and then drop out at a place where I think the ball has gone into the woods?

No, the woods are just part of the course and get no special treatment. If you cannot find the ball in five minutes it is deemed lost and the only remedy is to return to the tee and play another and add a one stroke penalty. Lost ball is the same as OOB...one option.

A provisional is only available before you go forward to search for the original. If you think it may be lost then you must hit a provisional before you go forward to search for the orig. If you search and don't find it, a provisional is not available.

Some of the other remedies discussed are only available if the ball is found.