Naming a provisional ball

[Ye Olde Boomer]

My provisionals have had lots of names,
but the heavy moderation of this forum
proscribes me from mentioning them here.

Especially the ones that require a second provisional after them.

 

[Timpd]

I’ve always thought provisional balls should be marked as such. My first prov has a red P on it , the second prov has a green P. Easy for me to remember and others to identify.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

My mate always marks his ball played from the tee with one red dot. If he has to play a provisional he adds a second red dot; and if necessary a 3rd…and so on.

 

[bobmac]

Another wishy washy rule.
If a player wishes to play a provisional ball, he must clearly state that by using the word ''provisional'' ie I'm hitting a provisional ball.
I'm hitting another one is NOT acceptable.

How hard can it be, stop introducing wishy washy grey areas that can be misinterpreted
Imo

 

[Swango1980]

Another wishy washy rule.
If a player wishes to play a provisional ball, he must clearly state that by using the word ''provisional'' ie I'm hitting a provisional ball.
I'm hitting another one is NOT acceptable.

How hard can it be, stop introducing wishy washy grey areas that can be misinterpreted
Imo

Surely that rule STOPS players from making wishy washy statements in relation to playing a provisional ball. By definition, it is demanding players are absolutely clear as to what they are doing, the complete opposite of being wishy washy?

 

[rulefan]

Another wishy washy rule.
If a player wishes to play a provisional ball, he must clearly state that by using the word ''provisional'' ie I'm hitting a provisional ball.
I'm hitting another one is NOT acceptable.

How hard can it be, stop introducing wishy washy grey areas that can be misinterpreted
Imo

Why do you suggest this is "wishy washy"

. Announcing Play of Provisional Ball​

Before the stroke is made, the player must announce to someone that they are going to play a provisional ball:

• It is not enough for the player only to say that they are playing another ball or is playing again.
• The player must use the word “provisional” or otherwise clearly indicate that they are playing the ball provisionally under Rule 18.3.

If the player does not announce this (even if they intended to play a provisional ball) and plays a ball from where the previous stroke was made, that ball is the player’s ball in play under penalty of stroke and distance (see Rule 18.1).

 

[bobmac]

Why do you suggest this is "wishy washy"

. Announcing Play of Provisional Ball​

Before the stroke is made, the player must announce to someone that they are going to play a provisional ball:

• It is not enough for the player only to say that they are playing another ball or is playing again.
• The player must use the word “provisional” or otherwise clearly indicate that they are playing the ball provisionally under Rule 18.3.

If the player does not announce this (even if they intended to play a provisional ball) and plays a ball from where the previous stroke was made, that ball is the player’s ball in play under penalty of stroke and distance (see Rule 18.1).

The player must use the word “provisional”
Perfect if they stopped there, but they didn't.

....You don't have to use the word provisional but you do have to make it clear that it is a provisional.

 

[Crazyface]

My mate always marks his ball played from the tee with one red dot. If he has to play a provisional he adds a second red dot; and if necessary a 3rd…and so on.

Seems a bit pointless. Provisional balls go nowhere near the first ball anyway.

 

[IanM]

The rule isn't wishy washy, but the way some golfers proceed is.

 

[bobmac]

I'm hitting a provisional.

The end.
Easy to understand.
No misinterpretation possible.
Nothing needs to be changed, added or subtracted.

When something works perfectly, leave it alone

 

[wjemather]

Requiring new players to learn a vocabulary is order to avoid penalties and/or disadvantage is ridiculous.
And we certainly don't need rules that penalise the failure to use a specific word when the player has made their intention perfectly clear.

 

[Slab]

‘I’m hitting a ball under rule 18.3’

Might give this a go next time I need to reload

 

[bobmac]

Requiring new players to learn a vocabulary is order to avoid penalties and/or disadvantage is ridiculous.
And we certainly don't need rules that penalise the failure to use a specific word when the player has made their intention perfectly clear.

By not saying ''I'm hitting a provisional''
And since when is the word ''provisional'' new vocabulary?

You're last to tee off, you carve one in the trees, you reach for another ball and say ''provisional''
Perfect

 

[IanM]

‘I’m hitting a ball under rule 18.3’

Might give this a go next time I need to reload

Is it "under" or "in accordance with?"

 

[Swango1980]

The player must use the word “provisional”
Perfect if they stopped there, but they didn't.

....You don't have to use the word provisional but you do have to make it clear that it is a provisional.

No, it would be ridiculous if they stopped there, and if it did, people would come on here criticising the fact that they did stop there just to make a point.

Because, if they did stop there, someone could clearly say "I'm playing a provy" and then they'd get penalised because they didn't clearly say "provisional". Even though it is blindingly obvious what their intention was.

The rule is crystal clear though, in that the important thing is that the player is absolutely clear what they are doing. Therefore, it doesn't allow them to get away with statements like "I'll play another" or "I'm reloading", because that IS wishy washy. The rule demands clarity, the complete opposite of what you are suggesting.

 

[wjemather]

By not saying ''I'm hitting a provisional''
And since when is the word ''provisional'' new vocabulary?

You're last to tee off, you carve one in the trees, you reach for another ball and say ''provisional''
Perfect

New players take time to learn the archaic language of golf (many never learn it). They should not be alienated or driven away by an insistence on the use of archaic and unnecessary terminology.

"I'll hit another just in case" is more natural, particularly for a newcomer, makes the intention perfectly clear, and should not be penalised.

 

[bobmac]

The rule demands clarity, the complete opposite of what you are suggesting.

I am suggesting that the player states
''I'm hitting a provisional''
You can't get any clearer than that.

archaic and unnecessary terminology.

You mean the word ''provisional'' is unnecessary?

New players take time to learn the archaic language of golf (many never learn it). They should not be driven away from the game by dinosaurs who refuse to accept change and insist on the use of archaic and unnecessary terminology.

"I'll hit another just in case" is more natural, particularly for a newcomer, makes the intention perfectly clear, and should not be penalised.

Wow, pedantic and condescending in one post.

 

[Swango1980]

I am suggesting that the player states
''I'm hitting a provisional''
You can't get any clearer than that.


You mean the word ''provisional'' is unnecessary?


Wow, pedantic and condescending in one post.

I'm hitting a provy is just as clear.

I'm hitting another in case I don't find my first is also equally clear what the intent is. To me anyway, perhaps others struggle to break that code?

 

[jim8flog]

I often use the phrase

"I am playing an IRA one"

If you are playing a well known Titleist ball does saying I am playing a Pro v count?

 

[bobmac]

I'm hitting a provy is just as clear.

Except he wouldn't, he would say I'm hitting a ProV 1 or 2 or 3 or whatever.