What is a Provisional Golf Shot and Why Should You Take One?

AvatarByMatthew Woods Golf Terms And Definitions

In golf, a provisional hit is a second shot taken from the tee box after the player’s first shot is lost or out of bounds. The provisional shot is taken in the hope that the original shot can be found and played, but if it cannot be found, the provisional shot becomes the player’s official second shot.

Provisional hits are allowed in all forms of golf, but they are most commonly used in stroke play tournaments. In match play, a player is not allowed to take a provisional shot unless their opponent agrees to it.

There are a few things to keep in mind when taking a provisional hit. First, the provisional shot must be taken from the same tee box as the original shot. Second, the provisional shot must be played in the same direction as the original shot. Third, the provisional shot must be played within two minutes of the original shot.

If the original shot is found, the player must play it from where it lies. If the original shot cannot be found, the player must play the provisional shot as their second shot.

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What is a provisional hit in golf? A provisional hit is a second ball that a golfer plays in case their first shot goes out of bounds or is lost. Provisional hits are allowed in stroke play only, and they must be played before the player’s original ball is declared lost or out of bounds.
When should you take a provisional hit? You should take a provisional hit if you believe that your first shot has gone out of bounds or is lost. It is important to note that you are not required to take a provisional hit, but it is a good idea to do so if you are unsure of the location of your first shot.
What happens if you find your original ball? If you find your original ball, you must play it and the provisional ball is lost. However, if you do not find your original ball within five minutes of playing your provisional shot, the provisional ball becomes your new ball and you must continue playing with it.

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A provisional hit is a second ball that a golfer may play when they believe their first ball may be lost or out of bounds. The provisional hit is played from the same spot as the original shot, and the golfer must declare that they are taking a provisional hit. If the original ball is found, the provisional hit is abandoned and the golfer plays the original ball. If the original ball is not found, the provisional hit becomes the golfer’s ball in play.

What is a provisional hit?

A provisional hit is a second ball that a golfer may play when they believe their first ball may be lost or out of bounds. The provisional hit is played from the same spot as the original shot, and the golfer must declare that they are taking a provisional hit. If the original ball is found, the provisional hit is abandoned and the golfer plays the original ball. If the original ball is not found, the provisional hit becomes the golfer’s ball in play.

There are a few reasons why a golfer might take a provisional hit. First, if the golfer believes that their original ball may be lost, they can take a provisional hit to ensure that they have a ball to play if the original ball is not found. Second, if the golfer’s ball is out of bounds, they can take a provisional hit to avoid having to take a stroke-and-distance penalty.

When taking a provisional hit, it is important to remember that the provisional hit is not considered to be in play until the original ball is declared lost. This means that if the golfer plays the provisional hit and then finds the original ball, they must play the original ball from where it lies.

When is a provisional hit allowed?

A provisional hit is allowed when a golfer believes that their original ball may be lost or out of bounds. A provisional hit is also allowed when a golfer’s ball is out of bounds and they are unable to proceed under the stroke-and-distance rule.

The stroke-and-distance rule states that if a golfer’s ball is out of bounds, they must take a penalty stroke and then play their next shot from the point where their original shot was played. However, if a golfer believes that their ball may be lost, they can take a provisional hit and then proceed under the stroke-and-distance rule if the original ball is not found.

How to take a provisional hit

To take a provisional hit, the golfer must:

1. Play the provisional hit from the same spot as the original shot.
2. Declare that they are taking a provisional hit.
3. Play the provisional hit in the same manner as they would play their original shot.

If the original ball is found, the provisional hit is abandoned and the golfer plays the original ball from where it lies. If the original ball is not found, the provisional hit becomes the golfer’s ball in play.

A provisional hit is a valuable tool that can help golfers avoid penalties when their ball is lost or out of bounds. By understanding the rules of provisional hits, golfers can be prepared to take a provisional hit when necessary and avoid costly mistakes.

What Is A Provisional Hit In Golf?

A provisional hit is a second ball that a golfer plays in case their original ball is lost or out of bounds. Provisional hits are allowed in all forms of golf, including stroke play, match play, and scrambles.

Why Would A Golfer Take A Provisional Hit?

There are a few reasons why a golfer might take a provisional hit.

  • The original ball is lost. If a golfer’s original ball is lost, they can take a provisional hit and continue playing the round with both balls. If the original ball is found, the golfer abandons the provisional hit and plays the original ball. If the original ball is not found, the provisional hit becomes the golfer’s ball in play.
  • The original ball is out of bounds. If a golfer’s original ball goes out of bounds, they can take a provisional hit and continue playing the round with both balls. If the original ball is found, the golfer abandons the provisional hit and plays the original ball. If the original ball is not found, the provisional hit becomes the golfer’s ball in play.
  • The original ball is unplayable. If a golfer’s original ball is unplayable, they can take a provisional hit and continue playing the round with both balls. If the original ball is found, the golfer abandons the provisional hit and plays the original ball. If the original ball is not found, the provisional hit becomes the golfer’s ball in play.

How To Take A Provisional Hit?

To take a provisional hit, the golfer must:

  • Play a second ball from the same spot as the original shot.
  • Declare that they are taking a provisional hit.
  • Continue playing the round with both balls.

Rules Regarding Provisional Hits

The rules regarding provisional hits are as follows:

  • A provisional hit must be played before the player plays their third shot from the tee.
  • If the original ball is found, the provisional hit is abandoned and the player must play the original ball.
  • If the original ball is not found, the provisional hit becomes the player’s ball in play.
  • The player may not play the provisional hit and then go back to the original ball.
  • If the player plays the provisional hit and then finds the original ball, the player must play the original ball under the stroke-and-distance rule.

Provisional hits are a valuable tool for golfers who want to avoid penalties for lost or out-of-bounds balls. By understanding the rules regarding provisional hits, golfers can make informed decisions about when to take a provisional hit and how to play the round accordingly.

Additional Resources

  • [USGA Rules of Golf: Provisional Ball](https://www.usga.org/content/usga/home-page/rules/rules-of-golf/rules-of-golf/provisional-ball.html)
  • [R&A Rules of Golf: Provisional Ball](https://www.randa.org/en/rog/rules/provisional-ball)
  • [Golf Tips: When to Take a Provisional Hit](https://www.golf.com/instruction/tips/when-take-provisional-hit)

    What is a provisional hit in golf?

A provisional hit is a second ball that a golfer plays in case their first shot goes out of bounds or is lost. It is played from the same spot where the original shot was played, and if the first shot is found, the provisional hit is abandoned.

When should I take a provisional hit?

You should take a provisional hit if your first shot:

  • Goes out of bounds.
  • Is lost in a hazard.
  • Is likely to be lost in deep rough or woods.

How do I take a provisional hit?

To take a provisional hit, you should:

1. Play your first shot.
2. If your first shot is out of bounds or lost, announce that you are taking a provisional hit.
3. Play your provisional hit from the same spot where you played your first shot.
4. If your first shot is found, you must play it from where it lies. If your provisional shot is closer to the hole, you must play the provisional shot.

What happens if I find my first shot after I have taken a provisional hit?

If you find your first shot after you have taken a provisional hit, you must play it from where it lies. If your provisional shot is closer to the hole, you must play the provisional shot.

What happens if I lose both my first and provisional shots?

If you lose both your first and provisional shots, you must take a penalty stroke and drop a ball in the fairway on the line of your original shot, as close to the hole as possible.

a provisional hit in golf is a second shot taken after the player’s first shot is lost or out of bounds. It is played from the same spot where the original shot was taken, and if the provisional shot is successful, the player continues play from that position. If the provisional shot is not successful, the player must return to the original spot and play from there.

Provisional hits are allowed in golf to prevent players from being penalized too heavily for lost or out-of-bounds shots. However, players should only take provisional hits when they are confident that their original shot is lost or out of bounds. Taking a provisional hit when it is not necessary can waste time and slow down play.

By understanding the rules of provisional hits, golfers can avoid penalties and play the game more efficiently.

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Matthew Woods
Matthew Woods
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