In his weekly “Rules Guy” column,a reader asked whether a provisional that comes to rest within gimme distance allows them to ignore the original wayward shot. Rules experts say the answer hinges on which ball is officially in play and the governing rules that determine when a provisional replaces the original.
LIV golfers gain a qualification pathway to The Open, with designated spots and final-qualifying routes approved after R&A talks – a change likely to alter major entry dynamics and fuel debate
The R&A has approved a new pathway securing entry opportunities for LIV Golf players into The Open after recent talks with tour representatives. The agreement creates a blend of designated exemptions and preserved final‑qualifying routes, a structural shift that will change how several spots are awarded for golf’s oldest major.
Under the agreement, a limited number of designated spots will be set aside for players associated with LIV events, while the conventional final‑qualifying series remains intact. Organisers say the move is intended to balance competitive integrity with the practical realities of a fractured professional landscape, though precise allocations and timing will be published ahead of the next championship.
The immediate effects are likely to be wide-ranging:
- Players: Increased clarity on routes to the championship.
- Tours: Fresh negotiating leverage and strategic implications for schedules.
- Fans and media: A new narrative around field composition and meritocracy.
These elements will shape selection debates in the months to come.
| Route | Notes |
|---|---|
| Designated spots | Reserved places allocated post‑talks |
| Final qualifying | Existing on‑site qualifier preserved |
| Regional qualifiers | Open pathways remain for non‑exempt players |
Reaction is split: organisers frame the change as pragmatic modernization, supporters say it restores fairness for players with option schedules, and critics warn it risks politicising major access. The R&A has promised transparency on criteria and timelines to defuse contention ahead of the next entry deadlines.
rules breakdown: provisional ball versus original ball status
Short answer: no. A provisional is a time‑saving option, not a shortcut to discard an earlier wayward stroke.Under the Rules, you cannot simply “choose” the provisional if the original ball is afterward found in play.
The provisional only becomes the ball in play when the original ball is lost, is out of bounds, or otherwise cannot be played under the Rules after the allowed search time. The standard search limit is three minutes; if the original ball is found within that time and is in play, the player must resume with it and abandon the provisional.
Key outcomes to remember:
- Original found in bounds: provisional must be abandoned and the original is played.
- Original lost or out of bounds: provisional becomes the ball in play and play continues from its position.
- Failure to announce a provisional or playing the wrong ball: can lead to a penalty – in stroke play a two‑stroke penalty, in match play loss of hole.
| Scenario | Outcome |
|---|---|
| Original found in bounds | Original played; provisional abandoned |
| Original lost / OOB | Provisional becomes ball in play |
In practice, announce a provisional clearly, keep the search time in mind and resist the temptation to “gimme‑line” the provisional to avoid the original. Doing or else risks formal penalties and can affect the integrity of your scorecard – the rulebook backs the original shot unless it is indeed truly lost or out of bounds.
When a provisional becomes the ball in play: timing and declaration
Officials note that a “provisional” is provisional in the plain sense – temporary – and in golf it serves as a fast, temporary remedy when a tee shot may be lost or out of bounds.Players may play one after announcing it to the group to avoid time-consuming searches.
The provisional becomes the ball in play only after the original ball is definitely lost or is out of bounds, or when the allowed search time has expired (the current search window is three minutes). Until that point the original remains the primary ball, and the provisional is a contingent substitute.
Declaration matters.A player must clearly state that the second ball is provisional so fellow-competitors or a marker no the intent. failure to declare can create a rules complication and may result in the second ball being treated differently under competition rules.
Typical outcomes include:
- Original found in bounds: Player may choose which ball to play – original or provisional – but cannot count both.
- Original lost or OB: Provisional stands as the ball in play once loss or OB is established; player continues with the provisional under stroke-and-distance consequences.
- No clear declaration: Risk of procedure penalties or score correction after a rules review.
| Trigger | Immediate Result |
|---|---|
| original found (within search time) | Player chooses which ball to play |
| Original lost / out of bounds | Provisional becomes ball in play |
| Search time expires | Provisional stands as ball in play |
penalty implications and scoring consequences for abandoning the original ball
Golf authorities have reiterated that a provisional ball is a safety measure, not an escape hatch. A provisional is permitted only when the original ball may be lost or is perhaps out of bounds, and the player should declare it provisional before playing.
If the original ball is found in play within the allowed search time, the player must resume play with that original ball; the provisional is abandoned and does not count. Choosing instead to play the provisional when the original is found results in a wrong‑ball penalty-two strokes in stroke play (or loss of hole in match play) and the requirement to correct the mistake by playing the original.
When the original is actually lost or is out of bounds, the provisional becomes the ball in play. The player then incurs the stroke‑and‑distance penalty (one penalty stroke) that applies for a lost ball or OB and continues with the provisional as the ball in play. The practical scoring effect: the final hole score equals strokes made with the provisional plus the one‑stroke penalty.
- Announce the provisional before you hit it.
- Search time matters – if the original is found within the search period, it takes precedence.
- Don’t assume you can abandon the original without consequence if it later turns up in play.
| Scenario | Scoring Consequence |
|---|---|
| Original found in bounds | Play original; provisional abandoned; no penalty |
| Original lost / Out of bounds | Provisional becomes ball in play; +1 stroke penalty |
| Provisional played while original later found | Wrong ball: +2 (stroke play) and must play original |
Practical on-course decision steps for players and markers
Officials recommend a practical on-course approach: confirm whether the original ball might be in play before committing to a provisional, and treat decisions as factual, time-sensitive events to be recorded by players and markers.
- Stop and assess: identify where the original might be and whether you are entitled to play a provisional.
- Announce clearly: the player should declare “provisional” so markers and opponents know the status.
- Search efficiently: conduct the search within the allowed time and keep markers informed.
- Record facts: mark approximate locations, witness who saw each shot, and note any time limits reached.
| Situation | Practical step | Usual outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Original likely lost/OB | Play provisional, document declaration | Provisional becomes ball in play |
| Original recoverable within search | Search, then decide | If found, resume with original |
| Unclear facts | Stop play and call committee if possible | committee clarifies ruling |
Markers must act as neutral witnesses: keep score, note timings, confirm declarations and any witness statements. bold,simple entries in the scorecard and a witness signature reduce later disputes and support any committee ruling.
When in doubt, communicate and document. Notify the committee if facts are uncertain,preserve evidence (ball position,witnesses) and avoid unilateral decisions that could complicate scoring – a concise,journalistic record often resolves post-round queries.
recommended approach: when to play safe, replay, or accept the provisional
Players facing a vanished tee shot should treat the decision to play a provisional as tactical, not casual.Under the rules, a provisional is a safety play; if the original ball is found in bounds, you must play the original and abandon the provisional.
Opt to play a provisional when loss or out-of-bounds is plausible – especially when the ball’s flight, crowd, or boundary markers make recovery unlikely. Speedy, practical checks before hitting a provisional include:
- Where the ball appeared to finish relative to the boundary line
- Whether any marker or fellow competitor saw it land in bounds
- Availability of a clear line of sight or cameras
These help avoid wasting a provisional that might be forced aside if the original is later found.
Accept the provisional when the original is clearly out of play or unfindable after the three-minute search. If the original is not found within that time, the provisional becomes the ball in play and saves a stroke-and-distance replay. remember: if the original turns up in bounds, you cannot choose the provisional rather.
If you did not play a provisional and the original is lost or out of bounds, you must replay under stroke-and-distance – a costly option. If the original is found but judged unplayable, you may take relief under the unplayable-ball options; in those cases, the provisional is abandoned and relief is taken from the original ball’s location.
Practical quick-reference:
| Scenario | Recommended Action |
|---|---|
| Original found in bounds | Play original |
| Original lost/OB, provisional played | Accept provisional |
| Original lost/OB, no provisional | Replay (stroke & distance) |
Use the provisional as insurance when doubt is high; otherwise, conserve time and strokes by confirming the ball’s likely status before teeing another.
Examples from tournament play and when to call a rules official
Tournament committees report recurring incidents where a provisional ball is holed to a tap-in while the original wayward shot remains unlocated. In those cases,players and caddies must resist assuming the provisional is automatically the ball in play; **rules nuance and timing matter** and can affect scoring and potential penalties.
Common tournament examples:
- Search pending: Player plays a provisional when the original is potentially lost or OB; the search continues up to the allotted time.
- Original found in bounds: Discovery during the search can change which ball is in play and requires immediate clarification.
- Match play concession confusion: A conceded short putt while two balls are in play raises questions about which ball the concession applies to.
When to summon a rules official: Call immediately if the ball’s status is unclear, if players disagree on which ball is in play, or if any action might create doubt about strokes or relief. Officials should be involved before further strokes are played, especially when time limits, out-of-bounds markers, or potential wrong-ball situations are in question.
| Scenario | Short guidance |
|---|---|
| provisional holed, original not found | Stop; confirm search time and call an official if unsure |
| Original found after provisional | Do not resume play without clarification from an official |
| Disagreement between players | Halt play and request a ruling |
Officials and committees stress that prompt rulings preserve the integrity of competition. In tournament settings, the safest course is to pause and seek an official’s direction rather than make a unilateral choice that could jeopardize a round or lead to scorecard issues; **timely rulings protect players and officials alike**.
Q&A
Headline: Rules Guy Q&A – I hit a provisional to “gimme” length. Can I ignore my original wayward shot?
Lede: A reader asks whether a provisional ball that finishes close can be used in place of the original ball that may be lost or wayward. The short answer: no – unless the original ball is officially lost or out of bounds,you must play the original. Below,a clear question-and-answer breakdown citing the relevant Rules of Golf principles.
Q: What is a provisional ball and when is it used?
A: A provisional ball is a second ball played under Rule 18.3 when a player reasonably believes thier original ball might potentially be lost outside a penalty area or may be out of bounds. It is played to save time searching; if the original ball is later found in play,the provisional is abandoned.Q: I hit a provisional and it ends up just a tap-in (“gimme-length”). Can I choose to play that ball and ignore my original wayward shot?
A: No. If the original ball is found in bounds and playable, the player must play the original ball as it lies. The provisional is then abandoned and cannot be used as the ball in play simply because it finished better.
Q: What if the original ball is lost or out of bounds?
A: If the original ball is lost (not found within the allowed search time) or is out of bounds, the provisional becomes the ball in play under the stroke-and-distance principle. In that case the provisional’s position and score stand.
Q: What if I find the original ball but it’s unplayable where it lies?
A: If the original ball is found but you judge it unplayable, you must take relief under the unplayable ball options (Rule 19) – which generally carries a one-stroke penalty – rather than simply continuing with the provisional. You cannot retroactively decide to “use” the provisional to avoid the unplayable-ball penalty if the original is in play.
Q: what about situations where I holed the provisional before the original was found?
A: If you holed out with the provisional and the original is later found in bounds, the provisional must be abandoned and you must correct the situation under the Rules. Playing a wrong ball or failing to correct a score can lead to penalties or scorecard consequences. In complex cases, stop play and call a rules official.
Q: Any practical advice for players?
A: Play a provisional only when you genuinely think the original might potentially be lost or out of bounds.If the original is later found in bounds, you have no choice but to play it. when in doubt on the course, summon a rules official – that avoids costly misunderstandings and incorrect scores.
Rule references: The provisional ball is governed by Rule 18.3 of the Rules of Golf; relief for a ball that is unplayable is covered under Rule 19. For any unusual or score-impacting situations, consult a committee or rules official.
Conclusions rest with the Rules of Golf, not personal preference: whether the original wayward shot can be ignored depends on the specific circumstances and the applicable rule. For definitive guidance, consult the official Rules of Golf or send your scenario to Rules Guy – the column will continue to answer readers’ real‑world questions and clarify where the rulebook draws the line.
Rules Guy: I hit my provisional ball to gimme-length. Can I choose to ignore my original wayward shot?
Fast answer (TL;DR)
If you played a provisional ball under the Rules of Golf and your original ball is later found and is in bounds and playable, you must continue with the original ball – the provisional is abandoned. You can only treat the provisional as the ball in play if the original ball is lost (not found within the allowed search time), is known to be out of bounds, or becomes unplayable and you accept the consequences under the rules (which may carry a penalty). In match play, a “gimme” only applies to conceded putts; it cannot be used to avoid the Rules’ requirements about which ball to play.
Rule background: The provisional ball and why it exists
The provisional ball is a time-saving option under the Rules of Golf used when your original ball might potentially be lost or out of bounds. As searching for a lost ball can take time (and because you may need to return to the tee under stroke-and-distance),the provisional lets you play another ball immediately while you look for the original.
Key rule references
- Rule 18.3 – ball Possibly Lost or Out of Bounds (Provisional Ball)
- Rule 19 – Unplayable Ball (if you deem the original unplayable and choose that relief)
- Match play vs stroke play differences – concessions and “gimme” apply only in match play
When your provisional becomes the ball in play (and when it doesn’t)
To decide whether you can treat the provisional as your ball in play (and thus ignore the original),use this checklist:
- Was the provisional announced as such before you played it? If not,it’s not a provisional and normal rules apply.
- Is the original ball found within the allowed search time (usually 3 minutes)? If found and playable,you must play the original.
- is the original known to be out of bounds? If yes, the provisional becomes the ball in play.
- Is the original known to be lost (not found within search time)? If yes, the provisional becomes the ball in play.
- Is the original found but unplayable? You can choose unplayable relief under Rule 19 (but you’ll incur the penalty associated with the relief you take). That does not automatically let you pick up the provisional without penalty unless the provisional was played after the original became lost/OB.
Practical examples
- Example A – Original goes into heavy trees; you play a provisional that finishes next to the green. After a 2‑minute search you find the original, clean and playable under a branch. You must play the original. The provisional is abandoned.
- Example B – Original is not found within the search time and is thus lost. Your provisional is now the ball in play and you continue from where it lies (stroke-and-distance was effectively avoided by playing the provisional).
- example C – Original is found in bounds but sitting on a steep bank making it unplayable. You declare it unplayable and take relief under Rule 19 (penalty applies). If you had already played a provisional while deciding, you must still follow the sequence: the provisional can’t replace an original that is found and playable without you taking relief/penalty as allowed by the Rules.
Match play vs. stroke play: does “gimme” change anything?
“Gimme” is a term most often heard in match play where a putt may be conceded.Meaningful distinctions:
- In match play, your opponent may concede a stroke, a hole, or the match at any time – this is called a concession. A conceded putt stops play for that hole for the player who received it.
- In stroke play, you cannot accept a “gimme.” Every stroke must be played (or recorded if conceded in casual situations – but not in formal stroke-play scoring).
- Conceding a putt in match play does not change which ball you must play if you played a provisional. If the original ball is found and playable, you must play it – except if the opponent concedes the entire hole (rare), or the rules otherwise dictate.
Common misunderstandings (and how to avoid them)
- “I can pick the better-looking ball and keep it” – No. If the original ball is found in bounds and playable, you must play it, even if the provisional lies next to the cup.
- “I can claim unplayable and keep the provisional” – You can claim your original unplayable under Rule 19, but that requires taking an unplayable‑ball relief option (each option carries a stroke penalty of one), and you must follow the correct relief process. You can’t simply declare the original unplayable to avoid stroke‑and‑distance if the original is actually playable.
- “If I didn’t say ‘provisional’, it’s still OK” – You must announce the provisional to the players in your group before you play it, otherwise it’s treated as a second ball (and you could face penalties for playing two balls in stroke play).
Step-by-step decision flow (what to do on the tee)
- hit the first tee shot (original).
- If you think the ball might be lost or out of bounds, announce to your playing partners: “I’m playing a provisional.”
- Play the provisional ball.Mark it so there’s there’s no doubt whatsoever which ball is which.
- Search for the original for the allowed time (typically 3 minutes). If found and playable, you must play it.
- If original is not found or is known out of bounds, continue with the provisional – it’s now the ball in play under stroke-and-distance rules.
- If original is found but you believe it’s unplayable, invoke Rule 19 properly and accept the penalty and relief options if you elect that route.
Simple table: outcomes at a glance
| Situation | Can you ignore original? | Result / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Original found, playable | No | must resume with original; provisional abandoned |
| Original not found (lost within search time) | Yes | Provisional becomes ball in play |
| Original known out of bounds | Yes | Provisional is ball in play (stroke-and-distance avoided) |
| Original found but unplayable | Conditional | You may take unplayable relief (penalty applies) or play original |
Practical tips to handle provisionals like a pro
- Announce your provisional loudly and clearly to the group before you play it – this avoids confusion and potential penalties.
- mark your provisional ball with a unique marking so it can’t be confused with the original.
- Set a strict search limit – the Rules use a time limit (typically 3 minutes) so use it.Don’t waste your group’s time chasing an unlikely find.
- If the provisional finishes “gimme-length,” don’t relax – confirm the status of the original before picking up any ball in stroke play.
- In tournament play, always record your actions and outcomes (lost, OB, provisional used) on the scorecard as required by the competition committee.
Scoring examples (stroke play)
Here are short scoring scenarios showing how strokes are counted depending on what happens to the original ball.
- Original is lost, provisional used and hole finished: Your score counts all strokes you took, including the tee shot and the provisional strokes. The stroke-and-distance penalty has effectively been absorbed as the provisional was played to avoid returning to the tee.
- Original found playable and you play it: You count strokes starting from the original tee shot – any strokes played with the provisional are ignored (abandoned).Do not record strokes taken with the provisional.
- Original found unplayable and you take relief under Rule 19: Record the penalty stroke and the strokes required for the relief option you choose; provisional remains abandoned if original is found and you decide to play original with relief steps.
FAQ – quick answers to reader questions
Q: I didn’t announce the provisional. Is it valid?
A: No. You must announce your provisional to the group before you play it. If you don’t, you could face a penalty for playing a second ball in stroke play.
Q: Can I play my provisional and then decide to keep it if the original is found but I don’t like the lie of the original?
A: No. If the original is found in bounds and playable,the Rules require you to play it.If you believe the original is unplayable,follow Rule 19 and accept the penalty if you choose relief.
Q: If the provisional finishes close and I pick it up in stroke play,is that OK?
A: Only after the status of the original is fully resolved. Picking up the provisional before that could cause confusion. In stroke play you must play all required strokes unless the provisional has become the ball in play under the Rules.
First‑hand style scenario (what I’ve seen on the course)
Picture this: you tee off,and your ball disappears into a thicket. You call “provisional” and hit another that bounces to three feet from the pin.Your playing partner spots the first ball 90 seconds later under a bush, clean and playable but with a tough lie. He wants to take the easy putt on the provisional. The group reminds him: the original is playable, so the provisional must be abandoned. He either plays the difficult original or takes unplayable‑ball relief (and the associated penalty). It’s a hard lesson, but the rules are clear – announcing a provisional doesn’t give you license to pick the easiest ball if the original remains playable.
Final practical checklist before you hit a provisional
- Announce “provisional” clearly to the group.
- Mark the provisional ball distinctly.
- Start timing your search (remember the 3‑minute window).
- If original is found and playable, you must play it; if not found or OB, continue with provisional.
- Know your competition format (match play vs stroke play) and how concessions work.
Where to read more
For authoritative detail consult the current edition of the Rules of Golf (search for rule 18.3 on provisional ball and Rule 19 on unplayable ball). National associations (USGA, R&A) also provide helpful FAQs and videos illustrating common provisional-ball scenarios.
