Playing a Provisional

[NorfolkShaun]

If you play a provisional ball but happen to find your first ball but prefer the provisional can you then play your provisional, and if you do so what is the penalty?

I vaguely remember on here in the past about being able to retake a shot for a penalty but cannot remember the rule this is from or the exact penalty.

When I have muted this idea at my club to a few guys I have pretty much been told this is a no no, if you find your first you must play it, or declare it unplayable and take a drop under penalty, but you can never go back to the spot you played your shot from if you find your ball.

 

[fundy]

If you play a provisional ball but happen to find your first ball but prefer the provisional can you then play your provisional, and if you do so what is the penalty?

I vaguely remember on here in the past about being able to retake a shot for a penalty but cannot remember the rule this is from or the exact penalty.

When I have muted this idea at my club to a few guys I have pretty much been told this is a no no, if you find your first you must play it, or declare it unplayable and take a drop under penalty, but you can never go back to the spot you played your shot from if you find your ball.

No you cant play your provisional once the original ball is found. You are basically left with the options for a unplayable ball, you can still take stroke and distance and go back and play from where you played the previous shot (or drop within 2 clublengths not nearer the hole or drop keeping the position of the ball between you and the flag)

 

[duncan mackie]

more than one question here......

"If you play a provisional ball but happen to find your first ball but prefer the provisional can you then play your provisional, and if you do so what is the penalty?"

No you can't, and if you do you are playing a wrong ball.

"I vaguely remember on here in the past about being able to retake a shot for a penalty but cannot remember the rule this is from or the exact penalty."

You are always able to 'replay a shot' under stroke and distance penalty - 27-1

"but you can never go back to the spot you played your shot from if you find your ball. " one of the options under 'unplayable (28) is to go back to the spot you played your last shot from.........see above

 

[NorfolkShaun]

That's great thank you.