Shane Lowry ruling.

[KenL]

Exactly that, you don't have to use the word "provisional" but have to make it clear that it it is.

What words are accepted other than "provisional".
Surely "I'm playing another ball" is not a provisional?

 

[chrisd]

What words are accepted other than "provisional".
Surely "I'm playing another ball" is not a provisional?

"I'm not putting another ball in play" might work or " I'll hit another ball just in case I don't find my first ball "

 

[srixon 1]

This is where pro golf gets complicated. If the ball is just hit into long grass the pros are happy when the fans find the ball. Ball goes in a bush with no real prospect of getting a favourable drop and they don’t want the fans to even look for it. They can’t have it both ways.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

What words are accepted other than "provisional".
Surely "I'm playing another ball" is not a provisional?

Reload............? No, okay

 

[Alan Clifford]

"I'm not putting another ball in play" might work or " I'll hit another ball just in case I don't find my first ball "

The player must use the word “provisional” or otherwise clearly indicate that they are playing the ball provisionally under Rule 18.3.

Bit vague. Surely there is further explanation.

 

[Steven Rules]

Bit vague. Surely there is further explanation.

Clarification 18.3b/1

Statements That “Clearly Indicate” That a Provisional Ball Is Being Played

When playing a provisional ball, it is best if the player uses the word "provisional" in their announcement. However, other statements that make it clear that the player's intent is to play a provisional ball are acceptable.Examples of announcements that clearly indicate the player is playing a provisional ballinclude:

• "I'm playing a ball under Rule 18.3."
• "I'm going to play another just in case."

Examples of announcements that do not clearly indicate the player is playing a provisional ball and mean that the player would be putting a ball into play under stroke and distanceinclude:

• "I'm going to re-load."
• "I'm going to play another."

 

[rulefan]

What words are accepted other than "provisional".
Surely "I'm playing another ball" is not a provisional?

See post #10

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).

 

[rulie]

See post #10

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).

However, there is also a Clarification in Rule 18.3 regarding provisionals which helps:

18.3b/1 – Statements That “Clearly Indicate” That a Provisional Ball Is Being Played​

When playing a provisional ball, it is best if the player uses the word “provisional” in their announcement. However, other statements that make it clear that the player’s intent is to play a provisional ball are acceptable.
Examples of announcements that clearly indicate the player is playing a provisional ball include:

• “I’m playing a ball under Rule 18.3.”
• “I’m going to play another just in case."

Examples of announcements that do not clearly indicate the player is playing a provisional ball and mean that the player would be putting a ball into play under stroke and distance include:

• “I’m going to re-load.”
• “I’m going to play another.”

 

[backwoodsman]

There's an echo in here ...

 

[rulie]

Aye, sorry.

 

[Hobbit]

I seem to remember Mickleson had a similar incident many years ago. Mickleson wanted the first ball to be a lost ball, hence played a second ball. Just like today, the ball was found. Like Lowery, there were discussions being had. Ref was called over and Mickleson was told the first ball wasn’t lost, even if he’d declared it lost. He had to play the first ball.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Weirdly this has happened just a few days ago when I had to walk two newish golfers I was playing with through the exact scenario facing Lowry - except my mate, playing the part of Lowry, only had me and our 3rd player playing the part of spectators to look for and possibly find his tee shot. He’d hit a beaut of a provisional.

Neither really understood my mate’s options or what to do. Hopefully they do now, because both of them would have looked for the first ball and even if they had found it they would have chosen to play on with the provisional as it had been such a good ‘3 off the tee’ drive.

 

[Steve Wilkes]

This is where pro golf gets complicated. If the ball is just hit into long grass the pros are happy when the fans find the ball. Ball goes in a bush with no real prospect of getting a favourable drop and they don’t want the fans to even look for it. They can’t have it both ways.

It is nearly always favourable to announce that you are playing a provisional, even if there is little hope
a) If you don't find it saves the walk back - 100% better
b) if you do find it, it may be playable - 100% better
c) If you find it unplayable, you may find a place for a favourable drop in a better position than where you are re-hitting - 100% better
d) If is unplayable and with no easy dropping area, you can always re-hit from the original position which is a 50/50 on whether this would be better than a provisional

 

[Backache]

d) If is unplayable and with no easy dropping area, you can always re-hit from the original position which is a 50/50 on whether this would be better than a provisional

Although this is theoretically an option, in my own day to day golf it's one I would never take and hold up the course.

 

[Orikoru]

This is where pro golf gets complicated. If the ball is just hit into long grass the pros are happy when the fans find the ball. Ball goes in a bush with no real prospect of getting a favourable drop and they don’t want the fans to even look for it. They can’t have it both ways.

Exactly what I thought. 99% of the time the pros never lose a ball because they have the fans to find them for them. One time it works against Lowry and he's annoyed - you have to take the rough with the smooth I'm afraid!