Hi guys,

Recently started playing golf and I have a rules query.

Played a par 5 yesterday and my second shot went into a clump of trees, had a look for the ball but could not find it. I know I have a dropped shot but where is the correct place to play the next shot from?  I have just looked on a site that says you should play from where the original ball was last played, does that mean I should have walked back 150 yards to play my next shot? Any help, thanks.

steve

I am afraid so, Steve,. the long trudge back to where you played the original shot from and don't forget to add the penalty shot for the lost ball.

Hi Steve,

Its called stroke and distance. Yes, you've got to go back to where you last played from. If its just a knock about I'd just drop a ball where you think you've lost the ball and just carry on butif in competition its as per the above.

Brian

Thanks guys,

A further thought, if I had found the ball but could not play it what would the correct procedure be then?

Thanks again.

steve

If it is deemed unplayable then you have 3 options: -

Take time to consider your options as sometimes taking the walk of shame is the best thing to do

Steve, just remembered, it isn't always sroke and distance. For example, if you'd lost it in a water hazard. Best Google randa for the definitive answer.

Good luck

Steve,

The first part of your question has been answered but you also asked  "does that mean I should have walked back 150 yards to play my next shot? Any help, thanks".     

If at any time you think that your ball may be 'Lost' or 'Out of bounds', to save time you can hit a Provisional Ball from the spot you just played from. If you find the original you just pick up the Provisional, but if you can't find the original you now have a ball near-by (adding two shots to your score though).

The only thing to remember is to state clearly that you intent to hit a "Provisional Ball" and not say "I'll just hit another".

TheLyth

Thanks for all the replies guys, I will take it all on board for the next time I lose my ball!