Provisional-Water Hazard

[PingG10]

The comments here are correct. What happened was against the rules. It was done to save time, which is not really a valid excuse.

Not to be too difficult about this but actually the USGA states in decision 27-2a/1.5 that "the sole purpose of Rule 27-2 is to enable the player to save time" so it is actually a valid excuse.

 

I think the point atlanta golfer was getting at is that saving time isn't a valid excuse for breaking the rules.

Yeah, I understood that, I should have been more specific in that the provisional ball rule exists to save time when applied within the rules.

[wagsgt]

The comments here are correct. What happened was against the rules. It was done to save time, which is not really a valid excuse.

Not to be too difficult about this but actually the USGA states in decision 27-2a/1.5 that "the sole purpose of Rule 27-2 is to enable the player to save time" so it is actually a valid excuse.

But this doesnt apply to hazard, you cannot play a prov to save time if its in the hazard. If you play another ball that one is in play

 

27-2a/2 Provisional Ball Played Solely in Belief Original Ball Might Be in Water Hazard

 

Q. A player's tee shot might be in a water hazard, but clearly it is not lost outside a water hazard or out of bounds. The player announces that, since his ball might be in the hazard, he is going to play a provisional ball and he does so. Rule 27-2a seems to prohibit a provisional ball in the circumstances. What is the ruling?

 

A. The player did not play a provisional ball which, according to the Definition of "Provisional Ball," is a ball played under Rule 27-2 for a ball which may be lost outside a water hazard or may be out of bounds. The second ball from the tee was in play since it was not a provisional ball.

[InTheHole]

But he hit a provisional for a ball in hazard which is against the rules. If he decided the ball was in hazard he could then hit his 3rd shot from tee and he has to play that ball

 

 

Ah- gotcha.

 

OK, so what's the penalty for hitting a provisional for the wrong reason?

[wagsgt]

But he hit a provisional for a ball in hazard which is against the rules. If he decided the ball was in hazard he could then hit his 3rd shot from tee and he has to play that ball

 

 

Ah- gotcha.

 

OK, so what's the penalty for hitting a provisional for the wrong reason?

Well if he played the 2nd tee shot it really wouldn't be the prov, it would be the ball in play. Now since he hit a prov and then played original ball, its a 2 stroke penalty for playing wrong ball and he would have to go back and play 2nd shot and forget about his original ball. So he would be hitting his 6th shot. 1-1st shot into hazard,2-penalty,3-2nd shot off tee,4,5-penalty for playing original ball.6- hitting your shot from 2nd tee shot

 

Here ya go, looks like even the pros are confused on this one

http://sports.espn.go.com/golf/news/story?id=1758208

[Sawgrass]

^^^^^^

 

Thanks for posting that link. I remembered reading about it, but I couldn't remember who it happend to.

 

It's fascinating that pros make rules mistakes, even with officials on hand. No way on earth I can approach their athletic ability, but I at least have a chance at holding my own when it comes to the rules! (Note that I said "a chance" -- I don't claim to be perfect on the subject. Ever take one of the rules quizes on the USGA website? It will either make you better or make you crazy!)