Ball out of bounds

[boo1]

Here's one for you rules guy. The other night on a par 3 I hit one probably OB, or " in jail " at best. My provisional was a very good shot giving me a likely bogey, even being 3 off the tee. Am I OBLIGATED to look for the first one. By the way I did find the 1st. OB and made the bogey putt.:$

[noback]

Was the first one Out of bounds? or LOST?

If there are white OB markers and you clearly hit over and beyond it, you MUST reload no questions asked.
If the ball is just in the trees and you might not find it, you can just call it lost and play the provisional. Mind you, your fellow competitors can find it and you must play it, if it is not OB.:cool:

[boo1]

As it turns out it was OB but I couldn't be sure until I looked. My question is if I HAVE to look after hitting the provisional well or simply declare it lost or OB.

[noback]

As it turns out it was OB but I couldn't be sure until I looked. My question is if I HAVE to look after hitting the provisional well or simply declare it lost or OB.
NO ...................... but your fellow competitor may look and find it, then you mUST play it. :D

[el tigre]

If the ball is just in the trees and you might not find it, you can just call it lost and play the provisional. Mind you, your fellow competitors can find it and you must play it, if it is not OB.:cool: Oh Oh! If Gary was here he'd be jumping all over this!

You cannot simply declare a ball "lost" and play the provisional. A ball will be deemed lost if:
a) it is not found (by anyone) within 5 minutes of looking for it
b) you play a stroke with a provisional ball nearer the hole than where the original ball is likely to be, or
c) you put another ball in play (i.e., not a provisional ball).

As you stated, you are not obligated to look for a ball but if someone else finds it within 5 minutes and it is not OB then you MUST play it. Unless of course, you played a stroke with your provisional ball BEFORE they found it.;)

[boo1]

So what you are saying is hurry up and hit the provisional before any one can find the first one if I want it to be "lost"

[Golftool]

I have a second question regarding this - if i hit the ball and it goes O.B. but kicks back in play off a tree etc. & i go to hit the ball BUT I AM STANDING O.B. - is it an unplayable lie???

I have had this arguement before and would prefer a solid answer:confused:

thx

[mirak]

As far as the ball is "in" you are OK to hit

[Golftool]

Thank Mirak! - next beers on me! :beer:

[el tigre]

I have a second question regarding this - if i hit the ball and it goes O.B. but kicks back in play off a tree etc. & i go to hit the ball BUT I AM STANDING O.B. - is it an unplayable lie???

I have had this arguement before and would prefer a solid answer:confused:

thx First of all, a ball is only OB if it comes to rest OB. With a few exceptions, how the ball comes to rest in play or OB is irrelevant.

Secondly, you can stand OB to play a ball that is not OB.

[Shadow]

"So what you are saying is hurry up and hit the provisional before any one can find the first one if I want it to be 'lost.'
If you don't want to play the first ball just don't say that it is a provisional. Tee up another ball and hit it and it becomes the ball in play.

Perhaps you could say about the first ball, "That ball is unplayable," if you felt obligated to say something.