AboutMichael Hoffman Expertise I have been a golf professional since 1981. I was elected into the PGA in 1987. I attained my master clubfitter certificate in 1992. I have given thousands of lessons over the years and I can answer questions about instruction, golf in general, rules, equipment, practice techniques etc.
I have served served on the board of directors of the Southern Texas PGA for twelve years and was the President from 2002-2003.
Experience I started as as assistant golf professional in 1981. I have been a head golf professional at several clubs as well as the general manager at two clubs. I am master clubfitter and have given many individual as well as group lessons over the years. I was the President of the Southern Texas PGA 4 years ago. I have been a rules official for the tour qualifying school as well as other events. I have won the Merchandiser of the year award in our section twice.
Question You hit the first ball off the tee into the "sagebrush". Rule 27-2a states "If a ball may be lost ... to save time the player may play ... provisionally". You declare a provisional ball and hit it into the fairway. Now you find your first ball but it is in a bush and unplayable. Can you declare it unplayable and then play the provisional ball, hitting three? Rule 28 - "a. Play a ball as nearly as possible at the spot from which the original ball was last played." What if the original ball is not in a bush, but you do not want to take a swing at it due to impediments, rocks, buried lie, etc?
Answer Douglas,
You can declare the ball unplayable but you cannot play the provisional ball. You must proceed under the unplayable ball rule. Rule 28 is provided for you from the USGA web site.
Rule 28. Ball Unplayable
Definitions
All defined terms are in italics and are listed alphabetically in the Definitions section.
The player may deem his ball unplayable at any place on the course, except when the ball is in a water hazard. The player is the sole judge as to whether his ball is unplayable.
If the player deems his ball to be unplayable, he must, under penalty of one stroke:
a. Play a ball as nearly as possible at the spot from which the original ball was last played (see Rule 20-5); or
b. Drop a ball behind the point where the ball lay, keeping that point directly between the hole and the spot on which the ball is dropped, with no limit to how far behind that point the ball may be dropped; or
c. Drop a ball within two club-lengths of the spot where the ball lay, but not nearer the hole.
If the unplayable ball is in a bunker, the player may proceed under Clause a, b or c. If he elects to proceed under Clause b or c, a ball must be dropped in the bunker.
When proceeding under this Rule, the player may lift and clean his ball or substitute a ball.
Penalty for Breach of Rule:
Match play - Loss of hole; Stroke play - Two strokes.
