In June, at the Pocheon Hills CC in Gyeonggi Province, South Korean KLPGA Tour ‘BC Card · Hankyung Ladies Cup 2024,’ Bang Shin-sil is seen using a distance measuring device to find the direction of the ball on the 6th hole during the 2nd round. (Photo by Reporter Lim Hyeong-taek)
Answer: If you had teed off on the next hole, you would have received a disqualification penalty.
Here are the rules and procedures for using a provisional ball (formerly known as a provisional ball) in case of a lost ball.
How do you handle it according to the rules? You must return to the spot where you hit the provisional ball, take a penalty stroke and distance, and hit again. The scoring method is as follows: You took 2 strokes from the tee shot to the second shot. When the second shot is lost, the provisional ball becomes the in-play ball. However, since the provisional ball was also lost, you took 4 strokes including the penalty stroke and distance. You need to hit the 6th stroke (including the stroke and distance penalty) from the spot where you hit the provisional ball. In other words, you will have hit 3 strokes at the second shot point. If you finish with 2 putts on the green, your score on this hole will be 8 strokes.
Why do you receive a disqualification penalty if you drop the ball and play from the point where the provisional ball was presumed lost? Playing from the presumed lost ball location is considered a major violation because it is the wrong place to play and provides a significant advantage. This violation requires correction by playing from the correct spot (where the provisional ball was hit) before teeing off on the next hole. The penalty for this violation is disqualification.
Is it possible to drop and play the ball from the presumed lost location (as in the question situation) under certain circumstances? It is possible when Model Local Rule E-5 (a relief method that replaces stroke and distance in case of a lost or OB ball) is introduced. You can take a 2-stroke penalty, define a relief area according to the Local Rule, drop the ball, and continue playing. If Local Rule E-5 is introduced, dropping and playing the shot in the question situation will be the 7th stroke (including the 2-stroke penalty). If you complete the hole with 2 putts, you will record a score of 9 on this hole.
What is a reasonable way to handle rules in a cheerful golf game? In a friendly golf game that aims for camaraderie, it is recommended that players resolve disputes or disputes on their own and enjoy the pleasure of golf by utilizing the tradition and wisdom of match play. In the question situation, first, assuming that Local Rule E-5 is introduced, take a 2-stroke penalty, drop the ball at the presumed lost location, and play. Second, if the score calculation is ambiguous, it is also considered reasonable to handle it with a maximum score (a stroke play method that limits the highest score on the hole: e.g., double bogey).
Answer by Choi Jin-ha, former KLPGA Tournament Director, author of ‘Golf is Easy When You Know the Rules’
Compiled by Reporter Jo Soo-young [email protected]
‘Choi Jin-ha’s Golf Rules Q&A’ is operated based on questions sent in by readers and answers from former KLPGA Tournament Director Choi Jin-ha. Send your various questions from your rounds to [email protected], and Choi, a leading golf rules expert in Korea, will provide clear and comprehensive explanations.