Do you know your R&A Rules? – The Provisional Ball
Matt has kindly provided another topic for us this week. This time he’s heading back to the tee — where things can sometimes go… sideways!
Few phrases on the course cause more confusion than “I’ll hit a provisional.” Yet, played correctly, it’s one of the most useful tools in the Rules of Golf. Let’s make sure we’re all clear on what the R&A says about provisional balls — and when you’re actually allowed to play one.
🎯 What Is a Provisional Ball? (Rule 18.3)
A provisional ball is played if your original ball might be lost outside a penalty area or might be out of bounds. It’s a time-saver — instead of walking all the way forward only to trudge back again, you can hit another ball “just in case.”
But there’s a catch — you must announce clearly that it’s a provisional before hitting it! Simply saying “I’ll hit another one” or “I’ll reload” doesn’t count.
✅ Correct: “I’m going to play a provisional ball.”
🚫 Incorrect: “I’ll hit another.”
🏌♀ When Can You Play a Provisional? Well only if:
· You think your ball might be lost outside a penalty area (e.g., rough, long grass, woods, hedge).
You think your ball might be out of bounds (e.g., beyond white stakes or fences).
You cannot play a provisional if the ball is likely in a penalty area (marked red or yellow). In that case, you must proceed under the penalty area rules (Rule 17).
🚩 What Happens Next? Once you hit your provisional, you have options depending on what you find:
If you find your original ball in bounds and playable, your provisional must be abandoned. Continue with your original ball — no penalty.
If your original ball is lost or out of bounds, your provisional becomes the ball in play, with a one-stroke penalty.
👉 Important: You can keep hitting your provisional further up the fairway until you reach the point where your original ball is likely to be. Once you go beyond that spot, your provisional automatically becomes your ball in play.
💡 At Bunsay, This Often Means...
You’ve teed off on one of our many tree-lined holes, and the ball’s taken a mystery bounce towards the woods or a large leaf pile. If you’re not sure it’s safe, save yourself a walk — announce and hit a provisional before leaving the tee!
It speeds up play and avoids that long, silent march back with everyone watching.
⛳ Top Tips:
✅ Always announce it as “a provisional.”
✅ Don’t play a provisional for balls likely in a penalty area.
✅ If you find your original, keep playing it — pick up the provisional.
✅ Once you pass where the original likely lies, the provisional is officially in play.
📘 In Summary:
A provisional ball is your backup plan for uncertainty off the tee — but only when your ball might be lost outside a penalty area or out of bounds.
Remember: say it clearly, play it quickly, and save everyone a long wait on the tee box
