NCGA Rules Situations - Lost Ball
In a stroke play tournament at Pasatiempo GC, a player hit his second shot on the Par 4 second hole to the left of the green and thought the ball might be out of bounds. Without saying anything he dropped another ball at a spot as near as possible to where he had just played, and hit that ball into the hole. Upon reaching the green a fellow-competitor found the player’s original ball in bounds. Not knowing how to proceed, he stated he would play the original ball into the hole and ask the committee for a ruling. He made 5 with the original ball. What is his score for the hole?
You Make the Call: Read the Definitions for “Lost Ball” and “Provisional Ball.” Review Rules 27-1, 27-2 and 7-2.
Answer: When the player spoke with the committee regarding the status of both balls and his score for the hole, he thought he had played a provisional ball when he dropped the ball in the fairway. Remember though, one must announce to his marker or fellow-competitor that he is playing a provisional ball. When the player failed to make that announcement, the dropped ball became the ball in play under penalty of stroke and distance. When he played that ball into the hole, his score for the hole was 4. (3 physical strokes and one penalty stroke under Rule 27-1).
Some players thought he should be penalized for practicing when he played the original ball, but he was actually wise to do this as it ensured that he had a score for the hole and would not be disqualified if the committee ruled his first ball had to count.
Hmmm, so according to the above: “Without saying anything he dropped another ball at a spot as near as possible to where he had just played, and hit that ball into the hole”, would he not have been hitting his third shot from the fairway (now the ball in play) and so had a birdie….you indicate he “hit that ball into the hole” ;
December 14th, 2007 at 10:33 amHi J.B.,
Don’t forget the stroke and distance penalty. He has made 3 physical strokes, but he incurs a one stroke penalty when he drops a ball under stoke and distance.
December 14th, 2007 at 11:59 amIs “I better hit another ball in case that has gone OB” the same as saying ” I am hitting a provisional ball”. If not why not ?
December 14th, 2007 at 9:06 pmPhillip,
Decision 27-2a/1 covers the announcement requirements for 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. In this case, stating that you better hit another ball just in case that you ball might have gone OB is going to be fine because your intention is to play a provisional ball even though you did not actually say “provisional ball.” That decision does cover some examples of statements that would not meet this condition, so review those for your knowledge.
Jimmy Becker
December 20th, 2007 at 4:07 pmAssistant Director of Rules & Competitions
Perfectly clear: So, If you “know” you are going to hit a great shot after striking a ball that might be OB, then assume it is OB and play on. Of course, you never can a”know” when you will knock it that close, so most of the time you will be better off declaring a provisional. A lucky break for this chap for sure, but now I understand the rules better - thanks…
December 20th, 2007 at 5:27 pmJeff, ‘luck’ does not enter into it. In my mind I was playing to rule 27-2a and the intent of the rules of golf. I was foolish not to use the word ‘provisional’.
The other statements in the decisions of golf can be interpreted as not a ‘provisional’ ball…although people use these terms everyday with the “intent” of playing a “provisional” ball - they would be both foolish and unlucky if someone called them on it - imo.
January 6th, 2008 at 6:36 pmIn the new phrase “virtually certain” what is the definitin of this and its limits verus ‘reasonable evidence”.
Who must agree (players,caddie etc) that it is ‘virtually certain’ as in the case of a lost ball in abnormal ground conditions
Thanks
January 11th, 2008 at 10:10 pmHi Phil, Since the legal system has used reasonable evidence for years and it means over 50%, the Rules of Golf Committee wanted a term that meant 99.9%. FOUND or Virtualy Certain means that to the Ruels of Golf Committee and now to all of us as players. We are either going to find the ball in the condition, or there is no other place it can be.
If you find your self looking for the ball short of the hazard, etc. it is not known or virtually certain it is in the condition.
Gail
January 22nd, 2008 at 10:14 am