Sheriffs Blog 2/12/2018. Having blogged on many accessions and advised on action not permitted within the rules, it looks like the new rules will reverse some of that advice.
The first example that comes to mind is the rules on a provisional ball Rule 18.3. The rules advise under R18.3a; a Provisional ball is allowed when a ball may be lost outside of a “Penalty area” {water Hazard} or out of Bounds, to save time a player may play a Provisional ball under “stroke and distance”.
This applies {1} to a ball not yet found and identified and is not yet lost state or {2} when a ball might be lost in a penalty area but also might be lost elsewhere on the course, 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 any ball played from where the previous ball was played becomes the ball in play under a penalty of stroke and distance.
Confused?
Don’t worry because the rules go on to advise situations a provisional ball may be played.
Under R18.3a1 a provisional ball may be played {1} The original ball might be in a penalty area but might also be lost outside the “Penalty area” or out of bounds.{2} The player believes the original ball came to rest in the “general area” and it might be lost. If it is later found in a “Penalty area” within the three minute search time the player must abandon the provisional ball.
R18.3a/2 a player may play a provisional ball for a ball that might be lost when the original ball has not been found and identified even if the 3 minute search time has not yet ended. [This is a change from previous rules as this now allows the player to walk back within the 3 minutes and play a provisional ball. If the original ball is found within the 3 minute search time the player must continue with the original ball]
R18.3a/3 When a player plays multiple balls from the same spot, each ball relates only to the previous ball played.
R18.3b Before the stroke is made; the player must announce they are playing a provisional ball.
[It is not enough for the player to only say they are going to “play another ball” or “playing again”. The player must use the word “Provisional”.
If the player does not announce this even if it is the intention and plays a ball from where the previous ball is played, that ball is the players ball in play under a stroke and distance.
Examples valid for announcement of a provisional ball include “I’m playing a ball under rule 18.3” or “I’m going to play another just in case.”
Announcements not accepted as a clear indication of a provisional ball include “I’m going to reload” or “I’m going to play another”. The Sheriff
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