Expert: dan - 8/31/2009

Question
I shank a tee shot deep into the woods during match play.  Believing the ball is lost, I announce a Provisional Ball will be put in play.  I hit the provisional ball onto the green a foot from the hole.  Instead of looking for my ball, I walk to the green and tap in my put.  Afterwards my lost ball is found.  My opponent says that I have played out of turn.  Therefore my put is cancelled.  He says that I now have to play the ball that was assumed lost.  Is he correct?

Answer
Hello Mac:

Thanks for asking this question.

In Rule 27-2 C, it is stated,

If the original ball is neither lost nor out of bounds, the player must abandon the provisional ball and continue playing the original ball.  If he makes any further strokes at the provisional ball, he is playing a wrong ball and the provisions of Rule 15 apply.

Thanks.

Dan