Golf Glossary
Provisional ball
In short
A provisional ball is a second ball you play when your first ball may be lost outside a penalty area or out of bounds. You announce it beforehand and play it before moving forward. This saves time. If the first ball is lost or out of bounds, it becomes the ball in play.
What is a provisional ball?
When you hit a ball and are not sure you will find it, you have two options. You can walk forward, search for the ball and, if it is lost, walk back to the original spot. Then you have to play again from there, which takes a lot of time. Or you play a provisional ball straight away. It is a safeguard in case the first ball is lost or out of bounds.
Provisional ball is covered by Rule 18.3 of the Rules of Golf.
The provisional ball is therefore not an extra attempt but a measure to keep play moving. If the first ball is lost, the same penalty strokes count as if you had walked back. You only gain the time.
When may you play a provisional ball?
Under Rule 18.3a you may play a provisional ball if your ball might be lost outside a penalty area or might be out of bounds.
Typical situations are:
- The tee shot goes into dense woodland or deep rough.
- The ball disappears behind a crest and you cannot see where it lands.
- The ball flies close to the out of bounds line.
- You lose sight of the ball against the sun or in poor light.
You may not play a provisional ball if you know, or it is virtually certain, that the ball is in a penalty area. Then you take relief under Rule 17. You may play a provisional ball if the ball could be in a penalty area or lost elsewhere. It is then provisional in case it is lost outside the penalty area.
Procedure: how to play a provisional ball correctly
Three points are crucial.
- Announcement: before you hit the ball, say aloud ‘I am playing a provisional ball’ or simply ‘provisional’. The announcement must be audible to your marker, opponent or another player. If nobody is within earshot, you may play the ball and inform someone as soon as possible. Without a clear announcement the second ball is the ball in play under stroke and distance, even if you only meant it as a safeguard.
- Timing: you must hit the ball before you or your caddie go forward to look for the first ball.
- Marking: play a ball with a different number or mark it so you can tell the two balls apart.
You play the provisional ball from the spot where you played the first ball, for example from the tee. On the tee you may tee it up again.
When does the provisional ball become the ball in play?
Under Rule 18.3c the ball remains provisional as long as it is played from a spot that is the same distance from the hole or further than where the first ball is estimated to be. It becomes the ball in play if:
- the first ball is lost or out of bounds,
- or you play the provisional ball from a spot nearer the hole than the estimated position of the first ball.
In both cases the first ball is abandoned, even if it turns up later. You count the strokes with the provisional ball plus one penalty stroke for stroke and distance.
You must abandon the provisional ball if the first ball is found outside a penalty area within three minutes. The same applies if it is found in a penalty area or is known or virtually certain to be there. Then you continue with the first ball, in a penalty area either as it lies or with penalty relief. Strokes made with the provisional ball do not count.
Practical example: a tee shot on a par 4
Picture a par-4 hole of 350 metres. Your drive flies right into a dense wood. You are unsure whether you will find the ball. You say ‘provisional’ and hit a second ball from the tee. It lands in the middle of the fairway.
Case A: you find the first ball within three minutes in the wood. You play that ball and abandon the provisional. You count only the first stroke and the strokes that follow with the first ball. There is no penalty.
Case B: you do not find the first ball. It is lost. The provisional ball is now the ball in play. You count one stroke for the first tee shot, one penalty stroke and the stroke with the provisional ball. From the fairway you play your fourth stroke.
Without the provisional ball you would have had to walk back to the tee. This way you saved time.
Common mistakes and tips
Beginners often make the same mistakes here.
- No announcement: playing a second ball without announcing it gives up the first ball. Say it clearly and audibly.
- Playing too late: if you search first and then walk back, you may no longer play a provisional ball. Then the only option is the walk back to the tee.
- Continuing with both balls: as soon as the first ball is definitely in play, the provisional is out. Do not keep playing both balls.
- Searching too long: the search time is three minutes at most. After that the ball is lost.
- Provisional for a ball certainly in water: if the ball is in a penalty area, do not play a provisional.
A tip: if in doubt, play a provisional ball. It costs no strokes if you find the first ball and saves a lot of time if you do not.
Distinctions: provisional ball, lost ball and out of bounds
A lost ball is a ball that is not found within three minutes of starting the search. A ball out of bounds lies entirely outside the boundary of the course. In both cases stroke and distance applies: you play with one penalty stroke from where you made the previous stroke.
The provisional ball is precisely the precaution for these two cases. It does not change the penalty, only the procedure. Instead of walking back, you already have a ball nearby in case the first ball is lost.
In a penalty area, stroke and distance is not the only choice. There you have further options under Rule 17, such as going back on the line. A provisional ball is therefore usually unnecessary there. And an unplayable ball is dealt with under Rule 19.
Try it at Golf Lounge
You can learn how to deal with a lost ball at the Golf Lounge Resort Hamburg in the Platzreife course. The theory part covers rules, etiquette and safety on the course and is combined with practice, led by PGA coaches. You practise on the covered TrackMan range and the 6-hole short course in small groups of no more than six participants. The exam takes place every Saturday on site in Moorfleet.
Frequently asked questions
What is a provisional ball in golf?
A provisional ball is a second ball you play when the first may be lost outside a penalty area or out of bounds. You announce it beforehand and play it before moving forward. If the first ball is not found, the provisional becomes the ball in play.
How do I announce a provisional ball?
Before the stroke, say clearly ‘I am playing a provisional ball’ or ‘provisional’ to a playing partner or opponent. If nobody is within earshot, inform someone as soon as possible. Without a clear announcement the second ball is the ball in play and the first ball is lost, even if it is found later.
How are strokes counted with a provisional ball?
If the first ball is lost or out of bounds, you count the first stroke, one penalty stroke for stroke and distance and then the stroke with the provisional ball. From the tee that is your third stroke. If the first ball is found, the strokes with the provisional ball do not count.
How long may I search for my ball?
Under Rule 18.2 you have three minutes after starting the search. If the ball is not found in that time, it is lost, even if it turns up later. You then play the provisional ball or go back with one penalty stroke to where you made your last stroke.
May I play a provisional ball for a penalty area?
No, if you know or it is virtually certain that the ball is in the penalty area. Then you take relief under Rule 17 with a penalty stroke. If it is unclear whether the ball is in the penalty area or lost elsewhere, you may play a provisional ball.
As of: October 2026