by Linda Raymond
Lost Ball or Ball out of Bounds; Provisional Ball
"Out of bounds" is defined as ground on which play is prohibited. When defined by white lines, the line itself is out of bounds. When defined by a fence or stakes, the inside edges define the out of bounds lines.
1. If your ball IS out of bounds, you MUST play another ball at the spot from which the original was played, penalty one stroke.
2. If you ball MAY be lost outside a water hazard or out of bounds, you may play a provisional ball before you go forward to look for the original, provided you announce your intention to do so. If your original ball turns out to be in a water hazard or is found outside a water hazard, you must abandon that provisional ball.
3. If your ball IS lost outside a water hazard or is out of bounds, add a penalty stroke and play the provisional or, if you did not play a provisional, replay the shot.
4. The provisional ball becomes the ball in play when a stroke is played with the provisional ball from a point where the original ball is likely to be or from a point nearer the hole than that place.
A ball is out of bounds when the entire ball is out of bounds. You may stand out of bounds to play a ball that is in bounds.
Abnormal Ground Conditions
1. If your ball LIES in casual water, ground under repair or, except in a water hazard, a hole or cast made by a burrowing animal, you may drop without penalty within one club length of the nearest point of relief not nearer the hole, except: a. in a hazard drop in the nearest position in the hazard which affords maximum relief and is not nearer the hole, or under penalty of one stroke, drop any distance behind the hazard keeping the point where the ball LAY between the you and the hole or, b. On the putting green place in the nearest position which affords maximum relief and is not nearer the hole.
2. If your ball is LOST in such condition (except in a burrowing animal hole in a water hazard) take the same relief based on the point where the ball last CROSSED the margin of the AREA except that if you drop behind the hazard, keep the point where the ball last CROSSED the margin of the hazard between you and the hole.
Enjoy The Outdoors! Have a Wonderful Game!
Linda is an avid Arizona Golfer. She has an internet business selling Golf GPS Caddies at golfgpscaddies.com offering precision gplf GPS devices for your distance on the golf course. You will have more confidence in each club selection and shot. No more Guessing! Know Your Distance. Lower your scores and handicap! http://www.golfgpscaddies.com
