• Main Rule:

     – If your ball is lost, you must play another ball from the original spot under stroke and distance penalty 

       (1 penalty stroke).

• • Example: Lost tee shot → replay from tee; this becomes your third shot.

 

• Provisional Ball:

  • If you think your ball might be lost, announce that you’re playing a provisional ball before moving forward.

  • Use a ball that can be identified as different (recommended, not required).

  • If the original ball is lost, continue with the provisional ball without returning to the previous spot.

 

• Search Time:

  • You have 3 minutes to search (changed from 5 minutes in 2019).

  • Time starts when you or your group reach the area where the ball is believed to be.

 

• Important Clarifications:

  • You cannot declare a ball lost under the rules.

  • Others may still search and find your ball; if found, you must play it.

  • If you choose to play another ball without declaring it provisional, that ball becomes the ball in play immediately—risking losing a potentially favorable original ball.

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