A ball heading into the trees means your group suddenly has four amateur rules officials. Here's how to avoid a long walk back.
When can you play a provisional?
Under Rule 18.3, you may play a provisional when your original ball might be lost outside a penalty area or might be out of bounds. Before the stroke, clearly announce that you're playing a provisional. Saying only that you're playing another ball isn't enough.
The three-minute search rule
You generally have three minutes to find your original ball after you or your caddie begin searching. If it's not found, it's lost. The provisional becomes the ball in play under stroke-and-distance, with the appropriate penalty.
One trap to avoid
If you know the original ball is in a penalty area, a provisional is not an option. You must use the applicable penalty-area rule or play again under stroke-and-distance. If you find the original in bounds before it becomes lost, abandon the provisional.
Fore Alarm takeaway: Learn the rules, embrace the chaos, and enjoy the round. Golf is serious. We're not.
Official rule reference: Rules of Golf.
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