Local rule - water hazard and provisionals?

[Oxfordcomma]

Hi everyone

Just asking out if interest really, can anyone confirm if the bit that I've put in italics is actually allowed? Played at a friend's course today and looking at the card afterwards I noticed this local rule:

Playing the 8th hole [which is a 140 yd par 3 over a lake] To avoid unduly delaying play, if there is doubt whether a ball is in or is lost in the water hazard, the player may play another ball provisionally under any of the applicable options in Rule 26-1 [which, given the setup of the hole, means 3 off the tee]. If the original ball is found outside the water hazard, the player must continue to play with it. If the original ball is found in the water hazard, the player may either play the original ball as it lies or continue with the ball played provisionally.

The intentions are obvious (and sensible) but having had a quick flick through Rule 26 & 27, my understanding is that once you find the thing, you find the thing and the provisional goes away immediately? And also that you can't play a provisional anyway for a water hazard?

 

[rulefan]

It is a Local Rule
See Appendix I Part B [h=3]1. Water Hazards; Ball Played Provisionally Under Rule 26-1[/h]

 

[Oxfordcomma]

Ah, perfect, thank you. I had thought that local rules couldn't over-ride stuff like this but obviously they can, the course has pretty much used the example wording from that appendix.

 

[rulefan]

Ah, perfect, thank you. I had thought that local rules couldn't over-ride stuff like this but obviously they can,

Local rules often override things. Another example is declaring stones (in a bunker) to be obstructions.