Should I hit Another?
When the best professional golfers in the world travel to Pinehurst #2 in a
few short weeks, there will undoubtedly be some situations that require a
provisional ball. After all, the course underwent an extensive renovation that
included the placement of thick fescue, native grasses and bushes that are
likely to attract golf balls like magnets.
We all hate it when we can’t find our ball, or when we do find it – just
out of bounds. When your ball goes out of bounds or is lost outside a water
hazard, Rule 27-1 requires you to return to the spot from which the original
ball was last played, and under penalty of one stroke, put another ball into
play. Since this could be more than 200 yards back, it takes time to go back, hit
another ball and return.
To save time, Rule 27-2 allows you to play a Provisional Ball when
the ball might be OB or lost outside a water hazard. But there are some
requirements you must meet to use this Rule:
1) You must play the provisional before going for