Golf Rules - Lost Balls and Golf Course Etiquette

Golf regulations state that when a ball is lost following a shot, along with adding a penalty stroke to your score card, you should take the shot again from the precise location where you hit the original ball.  This is known as a provisional ball.    

New players on the golf course always have a difficult time with this particular rule because many of their shots disappear off into the distance absolutely nowhere near the intended target and balls get lost due to all sorts of obstacles such as high grass, thick shrubbery or deep ravines,  resulting in several attempts of starting over and many penalty strokes being accrued on scorecards.

Don't Waste Time Searching - Play On

The lost ball situation calls for the use of common sense and consideration for other players on the golf course. You can usually tell if the ball is lost after taking the shot, so avoid wasting both your time and holding up the other players whilst you are looking for the ball, if you think it will take a while to locate.  Your partners will surely appreciate your decision and applaud your use of golf course etiquette. 

The Right Time to Search for the Missing Ball

If the provisional shot lands on the fairway somewhere in the area of the lost ball, you are then permitted to spend time trying try to find the original ball. You only have five minutes. however,  so get your friends to look with you.  If the original ball is not to be found,  you must continue the game using the provisional ball.  If you manage to find the lost ball, the rules state you must use it regardless of the fact that the provisional ball may present an advantage at this particular point in the game.

Remember to always practise golf course etiquette and, as a player, you will be respected by those fellow golfers around you.