I've been running into a lot of interesting situations lately.

Yesterday, on a par 4, I hit a drive that sliced immensely towards the thick "native grasses" that are officially OB to the right. Since I had never played the course before, I assumed I would probably not be able to find my ball. I hit a provisional.

My provisional shot wasn't that great...maybe 180 yards...but it was up the middle of the fairway. My second shot off my provisional was also short...maybe another 100 yards. However, upon approaching that shot, I found it next to another ball. It was the first ball I had shot off that hole, which I assume must have hit a yardage marker or a rock to bounce back into the fairway.

Obviously, I want to take my original shot here...but is this allowed after hitting my provisional ball twice?

Yes, you can (and MUST, actually) play your original ball if you find it, regardless of how many strokes you've made with the provisional ball, provided you have not passed the location where the original ball may be lost. Typically, you play your provisional to such a point (or beyond) where you think your first ball is. You begin the search for the original and if you find it (and it's not OB), you MUST play it. I guess it's more correct to say the original ball "becomes the ball in play", since you could also declare the original unplayable and use your provisional (with the stroke & distance penalty) as the ball in play.

The provisional ball is covered under Rule 27-2 in the USGA and R&A rules of golf.
http://www.usga.org/bookrule.aspx?id=14306
http://randapublic.loghar.com/flash/rules/rules_2008_2011.html

Thank you.

I have a feeling that this will come into play frequently.

Armand Eglauer wrote:

Yes, you can (and MUST, actually) play your original ball if you find it, regardless of how many strokes you've made with the provisional ball, provided you have not passed the location where the original ball may be lost. Typically, you play your provisional to such a point (or beyond) where you think your first ball is. You begin the search for the original and if you find it (and it's not OB), you MUST play it. I guess it's more correct to say the original ball "becomes the ball in play", since you could also declare the original unplayable and use your provisional (with the stroke & distance penalty) as the ball in play. The provisional ball is covered under Rule 27-2 in the USGA and R&A rules of golf. http://www.usga.org/bookrule.aspx?id=14306 http://randapublic.loghar.com/flash/rules/rules_2008_2011.html

Correct, however just remember that in competition, you need to look for your original ball first and should not play a stroke with the provisional until the first ball is found or you will end up with a penalty.

Armand Eglauer wrote:

you could also declare the original unplayable and use your provisional (with the stroke & distance penalty) as the ball in play.

If you mean what I think you wrote there, no. A provisional can't be used if you deem the found ball unplayable. Rule 27-2c says you have to abandon the ball if the original ball is neither lost nor out of bounds.If you do play the provisional, you will be playing a wrong ball and you will be getting another two stroke penalty.

birdieXris wrote:

Correct, however just remember that in competition, you need to look for your original ball first and should not play a stroke with the provisional until the first ball is found or you will end up with a penalty.

Assuming you did arrive at the place where the original ball is assumed to be. It is perfectly legal to play your provisional a second shot if it did not pass the original's assumed point.

jev wrote:

Armand Eglauer wrote: you could also declare the original unplayable and use your provisional (with the stroke & distance penalty) as the ball in play. If you mean what I think you wrote there, no. A provisional can't be used if you deem the found ball unplayable. Rule 27-2c says you have to abandon the ball if the original ball is neither lost nor out of bounds.If you do play the provisional, you will be playing a wrong ball and you will be getting another two stroke penalty. birdieXris wrote: Correct, however just remember that in competition, you need to look for your original ball first and should not play a stroke with the provisional until the first ball is found or you will end up with a penalty. Assuming you did arrive at the place where the original ball is assumed to be. It is perfectly legal to play your provisional a second shot if it did not pass the original's assumed point.

Very true, under 27-2b. I stand corrected.

birdieXris wrote:

Correct, however just remember that in competition, you need to look for your original ball first and should not play a stroke with the provisional until the first ball is found or you will end up with a penalty.

There is never any obligation to search for your ball.

If someone else believes they have found it you must identify it though.

If your actions have not caused the ball to be deemed lost (as specified in the Definition), then it is still the ball in play.