Scoring 'multiple' provisional shots

[drdel]

OK so playing partner is having a bit if a mare.

Hits his Tee shot left into heavy juicy rough and declares he'll play a provisional. This ball also travels left but into gorse. He then decides to take another 'provisional' which he slices badly - after numerous colourful Anglo-Saxon phrases he storms off intending to find his first provisional declaring himself to be 3off the Tee.

His argument being that neither provisional (or any other subsequent 'provisional balls) was in play has he had not yet taken a shot at either of them or his original.

 

[jim8flog]

If he finds the original ball both of the provisional balls do not count in any way. If he cannot find the original but finds the first provisional his next shot is his 4th shot, if he cannot find the original ball or the first provisional but finds the second provisional his next shot is his 6th shot.

 

[mikejohnchapman]

OK so playing partner is having a bit if a mare.

Hits his Tee shot left into heavy juicy rough and declares he'll play a provisional. This ball also travels left but into gorse. He then decides to take another 'provisional' which he slices badly - after numerous colourful Anglo-Saxon phrases he storms off intending to find his first provisional declaring himself to be 3off the Tee.

His argument being that neither provisional (or any other subsequent 'provisional balls) was in play has he had not yet taken a shot at either of them or his original.

He should also look for them in order - starting with his original. He gets 5 mins for each.

 

[Foxholer]

He should also look for them in order - starting with his original. He gets 5 mins for each.

That's certainly what he can do, but he's entitled to abandon (or not even start) any/the search for his original and simply search for his 1st Provisional - which, from the words he stated on leaving the Tee, seems to be what he intends to do.

It is (would have been) definitely worth confirming what his intentions are/were for his search.

And if the 1st Provisional is in the same area as his original, he only gets 5 mins total to search/find either/both, not 5 mins for each.

Oh, and I presume by 'playing partner', the OP meant 'Fellow Competitor', not 'Partner', as defined in Rules of Golf (member of the same side)! If he really was his Partner, I'd be inclined to suggest ignoring his 'contribution' for that hole!