GTA AM Tour - Rules Series #3: When To Play A Provisional Ball

Hi Mark:

Occasionally, a player will make a stroke and not know where the ball came to rest. The third Rule in the Rules Email Series covers when a player can play a provisional ball.

When Provisional Ball Is Allowed (Rule 18.3a)

If a ball might be lost outside a penalty area or be out of bounds, to save time the player may play another ball provisionally under penalty of stroke and distance. But, if the player is aware that the only possible place the original ball could be lost is in a penalty area, a provisional ball is not allowed and a ball played from where the previous stroke was made becomes the ball in play under penalty of stroke and distance.

Note that a player is only permitted to play a provisional when the ball might be out of bounds or lost outside a penalty area. If you know that your ball is in a penalty area, you cannot play a provisional.

When a player decides to play a provisional ball, they must announce their intention under Rule 18.3b:

Announcing Play of Provisional Ball

Before the stroke is made, a player must announce that they are going to play a provisional ball. It is not enough for the player only to say that he or she is playing another ball or is playing again.

The player must use the word "provisional" or otherwise clearly indicate that they are playing the ball provisionally under Rule 18.3. If a player does not announce this (even if they intended to play a provisional ball) and they play a ball from where the previous stroke was made, that ball is the ball in play under penalty of stroke and distance.

It is good practice to ensure the provisional ball is uniquely identifiable from the original to help with identification if both balls end up in the same area.

For a visual explanation of the procedure of playing a provisional ball, click the image below to view a video from the Colorado Golf Association.

All information on the Rules of Golf can be found on the R&A website under Rules of Golf. Tour players are strongly encouraged to take the free Level 1 Rules of Golf course and exam at the R&A Rules Academy.

Any player who has a Level 1 Rules of Golf certification before May 1st can enter a draw for two dozen TaylorMade golf balls by submitting their certificate to liz@gtaamtour.com before the first event of the season.

We also recommend ALL Tour players download the R&A (or USGA) Rules of Golf App on their phones. This App is VERY easy to use and can provide players with instant information on how to proceed.

As always, if you are ever unsure how to proceed on the golf course, contact a GTA AM Tour Referee for assistance.

Christian De Cloet

Manager, Tour Operations; Level 3 Rules Referee

GTA AM Tour

www.gtaamtour.com

ABOUT THE GTA AM TOUR: The GTA AM Tour is owned and operated by Canadian Golf Tours Inc. and is sponsored by: TaylorMade Golf Canada, Mazda Canada, Michelob ULTRA, P.J. Dermody Insurance Brokers, Prodigy Headwear, Cellworks, Sundog Eyewear, Golf Away Tours, Rose Hall Golf, LPS Athletic Centre, M+M Contracting, Puma, Wronski Cann Group, Boulderz Climbing Centre, Swing Lab Theory, Arax Jewellery, Blue Joose Creative, ENVERTAdigtial , Tim Hortons Foundation Camps, The Look Company, Simply Cottage, Swing Golf Lounge, Moho Golf, The Obsessed Golf Club, Rose Hall Golf, Half Moon, and The Golfers Academy. Tournament rules officials are organized through Golf Canada.