Lost Ball - Provisional

Question
A player hits his second shot on a Par 4 and hooks it badly. He hits his provisional in the hole for a 4. He declares his original ball lost but some spectators find a ball and tell him they have found it. He refuses to go and identify his ball and goes to the next hole. Is this permissible?

Answer
HI Frank;

Well under Rules of golf.  The player would have a slight problem.  And While it really only involves one primary rule, though there are many different cross references and decisions to other rules that directly apply within the situation.

Unfortunately for the player, had it been in a tournament situation, as a rules official I would have had to DQ him, once he had proceeded to hit his ball off the next tee box, as he did not go back and correct the situation prior to hitting his next tee shot.  

Once the player found out about the original ball, he DID have the option to claim he would play both balls out and get the ruling later. Ultimately it is the player who decides if that original ball suspected to be lost and then subsequently found is actually his/her ball.

For future reference, you or anyone else may find any rule you wish by going to the following link.

http://www.usga.org/Rule-Books/Rules-of-Golf/Rule-01/



Here are your USGA/RA Rules and Decisions.

This is another link for your reference...  http://www.usga.org/Rule-Books/Rules-of-Golf/Rule-27/

27-2c/2 Ball Believed to Be Original Found; Player Wishes to Ignore It and Continue Play with Provisional Ball

Q. At a par-3 hole, a player plays his tee shot into a heavy thicket. Since his ball may be lost, he hits a provisional ball that comes to rest near the hole. In the circumstances, it is advantageous to the player not to find his original ball. Accordingly, the player does not search for the original ball and walks directly toward his provisional ball. While the player is on his way to his provisional ball, a ball believed to be his original is found. The player is advised that his original ball may have been found. May the player ignore this ball and continue play with the provisional ball?

A. No. The player must inspect the ball that has been found and, if it is the player's original ball, he must continue play with it (or proceed under the unplayable ball Rule). The provisional ball must be abandoned ?Rule 27-2c. See also Decision 27-2b/1.

27/13  Refusal to Identify Ball

Q. A player purposely refuses to identify a ball as his. What can the opponent or a fellow-competitor do in such a case?

A. An opponent or fellow-competitor has the right to be satisfied about the identification of a player's ball.

If a player has dishonestly not identified his ball, the opponent or fellow-competitor may refer the dispute to the Committee ?Rule 34-3. In such a case, the Committee would be justified in imposing a penalty of disqualification under Rule 33-7.

Identifying Ball by Brand, Model and Number Only ?See 12-2/1.

And

27/16  Ball Declared Lost Is Found Before Another Ball Put into Play

Q. A player searched for his ball for two minutes, declared it lost and started back to play another ball at the spot from which the original ball was played. Before he put another ball into play, his original ball was found within the five-minute period allowed for search. What is the ruling?

A. A player cannot render a ball lost by a declaration ?see Definition of "Lost Ball." The original ball remained in play ?see Definition of "Ball in Play."

I hope this helps.  For more in depth discussion, see your PGA Professional.

Did you know that you are allowed to take courses from the USGA on rules?  Actually for the matter you can also take them from your local amateur association.  You should do this, they are quite fun and lead to some pretty lively discussions.

Robb Nunn
PGA Professional