Driving Rule

Question
QUESTION: Hello there,
playing a par 5 my golf partner hit a drive off to the left front fairway about 70 yards or so. He decided to take another from the tee AFTER I had pointed out that his ball wasn't lost and it would be 3 off the tee. He hit the next ball even further to the left and lost it in the undergrowth so decided to play his first ball but he said he didnt have to incur any penalty because he lost his provisional and could play the first from where it was. I said he should now be taking shot 4 but he was adamant it was only shot 2. Needless to say we fell out over this point. Could you please help clarify this rule and help 2 old mates be mates again?

Best wishes,
Michael

ANSWER: Michael,

Here is what the player should have done. He needs to declare that he is playing a provisional ball. If he doesn't the second ball is in play laying 3. If he declares the second ball lost he would be hitting 5 from the tee. If he declared that the second ball is a provisional ball, he would then be able to play the first ball laying 1.

I copied a decision from the USGA rules of golf that will help understand the procedure.

A. No. Rule 27-2a specifically provides that the player must inform his opponent, marker or fellow-competitor that he intends to play a provisional ball.
The player's statement must specifically mention the words "provisional ball" or must make it clear that he is proceeding under Rule 27-2a. Therefore, a player who says nothing has put another ball into play.
The following are examples of statements that do not satisfy the requirement of announcing a provisional ball:
(a) "That might be lost. I am going to re-load."
(b) "That might be out of here."
(c) "I'd better hit another one."
(d) "I will never find that one. I'll play another."

Hope this helps to mend the friendship.



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you very much for your quick reply.

As the first ball was still visible and was definitely not lost I thought a provisional ball wasn't allowed and you had to either; take another ball from the tee for 3 (bit silly doing this but thats exactly what he did) or carry on playing with the first ball? Not hit and lose the second ball and decide to bring the first ball back in play? Incidently he went on to win the hole when I had taken one drive to his two and had no lost balls, seems a tad unfair to me.

Thanks again and best wishes,
Michael

Answer
Michael,

As the ball was visible by the player a provisional ball shouldn't have been played. The player cannot circumvent the rules for his advantage. When the player hit the second ball off the tee, he was playing 3. If that ball was lost he would go back to the tee and would be playing his 5th shot.

Hope this helps.