Rule 18: Lost ball, out of bounds, or playing forward
What this is about
This rule tells you what to do if you can't find your ball. The same applies if your ball ends up outside the golf course. Here you'll learn how to continue play correctly.
What you need to do
- If your ball is lost outside a `penalty area`, you need to take action. You can recognise a `penalty area` by its red or yellow stakes.
- The same applies if your ball is `out of bounds`. `Out of bounds` means completely outside the boundaries of the course.
- Add one `penalty stroke` (an extra stroke to your score).
- Play a new ball from the spot where you played your previous stroke.
- You may play a `provisional ball` to save time. This is an extra ball just in case.
- Do this if you think your ball might be lost or out of bounds.
- Clearly announce that you're playing a provisional ball.
- Play it from the spot of your previous stroke.
- If you find the original ball on the course within three minutes, you continue play with that ball. Your `provisional ball` then no longer counts.
- If the original ball is lost or out of bounds, add one penalty stroke. Continue play with your `provisional ball`.
Common mistake
Beginners sometimes think a provisional ball is free if the first ball turns out to be truly lost. Remember: if you end up using the provisional ball, you always add one penalty stroke. It's not a free do-over.
Example
You hit your tee shot far to the right, towards a hedge. You suspect the ball might not be found. You announce a provisional ball and hit it. Later, you find your first ball just inside the course after all. In that case, you continue play with your original ball.
Practise this rule with real exam questions in the free app.
18.1 Ball played under stroke and distance
At any time, a player may proceed under stroke and distance by adding one penalty stroke and playing a ball from where the previous stroke was made (Rule 14.6). A player who does this always plays under penalty of stroke and distance.
18.2 Ball Lost or Out of Bounds
18.2a When a ball is lost or out of bounds
Lost ball: a ball is lost if it isn't found within three minutes after the player or their caddie begins searching for it. If a ball is found within three minutes but the player isn't sure whether it's their ball, they must identify it as quickly as possible.
Out of bounds: a ball is out of bounds when it comes to rest in a spot outside the boundaries of the course set by the Committee. A ball that flies over an out of bounds edge but lands back on the course is not out of bounds.
18.2b What to do if the ball is lost or out of bounds
You must apply stroke and distance: count one penalty stroke and play a ball from the spot where the previous stroke was made. There's no other option. You may not drop a ball at the spot where you think the ball was lost (unless a local rule allows this as an alternative).
18.3 Provisional ball
18.3a When a provisional ball is allowed
When a player thinks their ball might be out of bounds or lost (but not in a penalty area), they may play a provisional ball to save time. The player must announce this before playing the provisional ball. If the player doesn't clearly announce it, the second ball automatically becomes the ball in play (with a penalty of stroke and distance).
18.3b Playing the provisional ball
The provisional ball is played from the spot where the previous stroke was made. You may keep playing the provisional ball as long as you play it from a spot that is the same distance from or farther from the hole than the estimated spot where the original ball is located.
18.3c When the provisional ball becomes the ball in play
The provisional ball becomes the ball in play when:
- The original ball is lost (not found within three minutes) or is out of bounds
- The player makes a stroke with the provisional ball from a spot that's closer to the hole than the estimated spot of the original ball
18.3d When you must abandon the provisional ball
If the original ball is found on the course (or if it's certain that the ball is in a penalty area), you must abandon the provisional ball. All strokes made with the provisional ball (including penalty strokes) don't count.