Provisional Ball rules July 21st 2021 from Fred.

July 14th 2021. Provisional Ball rules. I broached this subject when the new simplified rules were introduced some time back, now after a year or so we appear to be even more confused. The fictional character “Jack Reacher” has the ability register time in his head, to compete with this ability perhaps we all need to carry a 3 minute egg timer. The time permitted to search for your ball has been reduced from 5 down to 3 minutes. What is a “Provisional Ball”? it is a ball permitted to be played from the same place as your last ball which may have come to rest “Out of Bounds” or come to rest within the “General Area” but may be difficult to find. If the original ball is not found and identified within 3 minutes of search, your provisional ball becomes the ball in play. (Stroke and Distance). I hear Players who have watched their ball flight into a “Red Area” or “Hazard” say I shall play a Provisional Ball. The rules do not permit a provisional ball to be played in such cases unless there may be doubt the ball did not remain within but may be difficult to find, rules state clearly “May be Lost in the General Area”. A further adjudication point lies with the change in the circumstances a provisional may be played, insomuch as far back that I can remember a provisional ball had to be played prior to moving forward to search, a change in the rules now allow you to move forward to search, but gives the option to return and play a provisional ball provided this can be done within three minutes, hence the 3 min. egg times or Jack Reacher as your Caddy. Should your ball come to rest in a “Red Area” what are your options? Next time. Sheriff.