AboutEddie Kilthau Expertise I am a PGA golf professional specializing in teaching the game.
Experience I played collegiately at Arizona State University, then turned professional in 1981. I became the shortest player to ever play in the United States Open at Oakmont Country Club in Pittsburgh & missed my PGA Tour card by 2 shots in 1986 at PGA West, La Quinta, California. I have been teaching for 26 years in Phoenix, Arizona & I am currently the Director of Instruction at the Vistal Club in Phoenix and owner of Victory Golfworks.
Business Administration, Arizona State University. PGA Business School I - 1986, PGA Business School II - 1992, PGA Advanced Business School III - 1995. Certified PING Clubfitter - 1999. PGA Teaching & Clubfitting Seminar - 1992. Numerous Southwest Section PGA educational seminars.
Question Eddie,
I saw your email thread re declaring a ball lost. Here was
my situation. I hit my 2nd on a par five in the bushes and
then hit a provisional. We went to look and found a few
balls not mine. I then noticed a ball at the bottom of the
gulley 40 ft away in a clearing and said I am not looking
anymore and am declaring my ball lost. I was told that I had
to go look at it to see if was mine. I did and it was and I
played it. My position was if I haven't identified (found)
my ball I can declare it lost anytime.
Need you help
gary c
Answer Hi Gary:
You're right. You have control over your ball, not someone else. When you declared it lost, it was lost, and the search for the original ball should be abandoned. You then should have went to play your provisional.
