Hi Linda, I was playing in an Open tournament. On the 15th
hole I hooked my drive and thought it might be out of bounds so I hit a
provisional. I saw a ball near the out of bounds line but still in. I picked up
the provisional, and hit the ball. I got down to the next shot and discovered I
had hit the wrong ball – my original ball must have been out of bounds. I was
playing with two professionals. Both thought I needed to go back to the tee
with 4 penalty strokes. I went back to the tee, hit the ball and was then
assessed another stroke for playing from the wrong spot. I was told I should have
played from where my provisional ball was. Obviously this whole thing was
pretty confusing. Since I had picked up the provisional, could I have dropped
the ball back in that spot without penalty? What was the correct procedure
under the rules?
Thanks,
Lou
Dear Lou,
Believe it or not, there is a Decision that deals with a
similar scenario [Decision 27-2b/9]. Here is the ruling:
• Your original ball is stroke #1.
• Since the original is either lost or out of bounds, your
provisional is your actual ball in play. It was played under stroke and
distance, so the stroke you played when you hit the provisional is your third
stroke on the hole.
• Your penalty for hitting a wrong ball is two strokes. Your
total is now up to five strokes.
• When you lifted your provisional ball, you lifted your
ball in play. The penalty for that is one stroke. You are required to replace
that provisional ball and continue your play of the hole with it. When you make
your second stroke with the provisional, that will be your seventh stroke on
the hole.
This is where the Decision ends. However, it is not the end
of your travails. You did not replace your provisional ball. Instead, you
returned to the tee to hit your next shot. Whenever you hit another ball from
where you played your previous shot, you are playing a ball under stroke and
distance. Add a one-stroke penalty for playing another ball
under stroke and distance. Your second shot from the tee was your eighth stroke on the hole [Decision 27-2b/10].
Whoever told you that you should have continued play with
your provisional was correct. Whoever sent you back to the tee was incorrect. Whoever
told you that your second tee shot from the tee was played from a wrong place
was incorrect; when you returned to the tee you were playing under stroke and
distance.
I’m sure you understand how much trouble you caused yourself
by failing to identify the ball you found near the out-of-bounds stakes before
you hit it. Had you taken a moment to identify that ball, you would have
realized it wasn’t yours and continued play of the hole with your provisional.
Your second shot with the provisional would have been your fourth shot on the
hole. Instead, you were on the tee hitting your eighth shot.
This is a complicated ruling, and no one can fault you or
your fellow competitors for being confused. It would have been best to consult
a rules official before proceeding, assuming one was available.
Linda
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© 2012 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.
