Rule 18: Stroke-and-Distance Relief; Ball Lost or Out of Bounds; Provisional Ball

Stroke-and-distance relief is available at any time, wherever the ball is, for one penalty stroke.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.1 · recall

Stroke and distance can be used whatever the lie and wherever the ball is.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.1 · applied

Replaying is stroke and distance: the next stroke from the tee is the third.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.1 · applied

Once another ball is in play under stroke and distance, the original is no longer in play.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.1 · applied

The stroke-and-distance option exists even when a Rule requires relief in a particular way.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.1 · applied

From the general area, a ball is dropped within one club-length of where the previous stroke was made.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.1; Rule 14.6b · applied

The player adds one penalty stroke and plays again from where the previous stroke was made.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.1 · recall

Back to the last spot, drop, add one stroke.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.1 · applied

Finding the original after the new ball is in play changes nothing.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.1 · applied

Stroke and distance goes back to where the previous stroke was made, A. The other spots are near the ball, which this relief does not use.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.1 · applied

A ball is lost if it is not found in three minutes after the player or caddie begins to search.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.2a(1); Definition of Lost · recall

A ball found in time may be identified in a reasonable time, including time to get to it.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.2a(1) · applied

A ball does not become lost because the player says so.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Definition of Lost · applied

After three minutes the ball is lost and is no longer in play.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.2a(1) · applied

Deliberately delaying does not help; the time starts when the player would have been able to search.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Definition of Lost · applied

The search time starts when the player or their caddie begins to search.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Definition of Lost · recall

The player's ball was not found in time, so it is lost.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.2 · applied

Three minutes, then lost, then stroke and distance.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.2 · applied

Identification may run past three minutes when the ball was found in time.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.2a(1) · applied

B was found after more than three minutes, so it is lost. A, C and D were found within three minutes.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.2a(1) · applied

A ball is out of bounds only when all of it is outside the boundary edge.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.2a(2) · recall

A ball is in bounds when any part of it is above the boundary edge or the course.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.2a(2) · applied

The edge is the line between the course-side points of the stakes at ground level.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Definition of Out of Bounds · recall

Stakes defining the boundary are out of bounds and are boundary objects.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Definition of Out of Bounds · recall

A player may stand out of bounds to play a ball on the course.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.2a(2) · applied

A ball out of bounds means stroke-and-distance relief.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.2b · applied

Boundary objects are treated as immovable; moving one to improve the swing breaches Rule 8.1a.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 8.1a; Definition of Boundary Object · applied

Out of bounds sends the player back to the tee, playing three.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.2b · applied

The edge is on the course side of the stakes; the stakes are already out.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Definition of Out of Bounds · recall

A lies wholly beyond the line between the stakes. B and D still overlap the edge, and C is well inside.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.2a(2) · applied

A lost ball with nothing known means stroke and distance.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.2b · applied

When it is known an outside influence moved it, a ball may be substituted under Rule 9.6.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.2b, Exception · applied

Knowing it is in an abnormal course condition allows free relief instead.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.2b, Exception; Rule 16.1e · applied

Penalty area relief under Rule 17 may be used instead of stroke and distance.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.2b, Exception; Rule 17.1c · applied

The exception applies only when it is known or virtually certain what happened to the ball.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.2b, Exception · recall

When another player played it as a wrong ball, a ball is replaced on the original spot.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.2b, Exception; Rule 6.3c(2) · applied

Tee shot, penalty stroke and three more strokes make five.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.2b; Rule 3.1c · applied

Certainty about the condition replaces stroke and distance with free relief.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 16.1e · applied

Stroke and distance adds one stroke and repeats the distance.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.2b · applied

Nothing is known about B. A was taken by a dog, C went into ground under repair and D into a penalty area, each with its own relief.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.2b · applied

The tee shot plus one penalty stroke means the next tee shot is the third.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.2b · applied

Two strokes plus one penalty stroke: the replay from the fairway is the fourth.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.2b · applied

The E-5 alternative for a lost or out of bounds ball costs two penalty strokes.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Model Local Rule E-5 · recall

The Local Rule is intended for general play, not competitions of a high standard.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Model Local Rule E-5 · recall

The second tee shot is already the third stroke, so two putts bring it to five.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.2b; Rule 3.1c · applied

Two strokes, a penalty stroke, the replay and two putts make six.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.2b; Rule 3.1c · applied

Without a Local Rule such as E-5, the only relief is stroke and distance.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.2b; Model Local Rule E-5 · applied

The penalty stroke comes straight after the tee shot that went out.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.2b · applied

The replayed approach is the fourth stroke.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.2b · applied

The picture shows stroke one; with the penalty added, the ball being teed now is number three.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.2b · applied

A provisional is allowed when the ball might be lost outside a penalty area or might be out of bounds.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.3a · recall

A ball that might be out of bounds is exactly when a provisional saves time.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.3a · applied

If the ball could only be in a penalty area, a provisional is not allowed.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.3a · applied

Water alone would rule it out, but the trees beside it keep the provisional open.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.3a · applied

When a provisional is not allowed, the ball played is in play under stroke and distance.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.3a · applied

A second provisional may be played; it relates to the first as the first does to the original.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.3a · applied

A provisional saves walking back if the original turns out to be lost or out of bounds.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.3a · recall

Announce, play the provisional, then go and look.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.3 · applied

A second provisional is allowed in the same way.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.3a · applied

B could only be in the lake, a penalty area. A might be out of bounds, C might be lost in the trees and D might be lost beside the water.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.3a · applied

The player must announce to someone that they are going to play a provisional ball.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.3b · recall

Another ball without the word provisional simply replaces the original in play.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.3b · applied

Using the word provisional to someone is the clear way to announce it.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.3b · applied

With nobody near to hear, the player may play it and inform someone afterwards.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.3b · applied

Meaning to call it provisional does not help if nobody was told.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.3b · applied

The player may use the word or otherwise clearly indicate they are playing provisionally.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.3b · applied

The announcement is made to someone, typically the marker, opponent or another player.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.3b · recall

The announcement must come before the stroke.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.3b · applied

Alone, the player may announce afterwards.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.3b · applied

Hitting another (B) does not say provisional. A, C and D all make the provisional clear.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.3b · applied

It may be played from a spot the same distance or farther from the hole without losing its status.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.3c(1) · applied

A stroke with the provisional from nearer the hole makes it the ball in play.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.3c(2) · applied

Three minutes without success turn the provisional into the ball that counts.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.3c(2) · applied

Once the provisional is in play, the original is no longer in play and must not be played.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.3c(2) · applied

An original out of bounds means the provisional is now the ball in play.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.3c(2) · applied

The usual price of going back applies: a single penalty stroke.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.3c(2) · recall

The earlier shot from in front of the bush settled it; the original is now out of play.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.3c(2) · applied

A lost original turns the provisional into the ball in play.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.3c(2) · applied

It stays provisional until a stroke is made from nearer the hole.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.3c · applied

B is nearer the hole than the bush. A and D are farther away and C is the tee, so playing from them keeps it provisional.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.3c(2) · applied

An original found on the course outside a penalty area in time must be played; the provisional is abandoned.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.3c(3) · applied

The provisional is abandoned; the original is played as it lies or relief taken under Rule 17.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.3c(3) · applied

Strokes with an abandoned provisional, and penalties only for playing it, do not count.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.3c(3) · applied

Others may keep searching; there is no obligation to stop.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.3c(3) · applied

Failing to make reasonable efforts to identify it may be treated as serious misconduct.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.3c(3); Rule 1.2a · applied

A provisional is not for a ball in a penalty area, so it must be abandoned.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.3c(3) · applied

Once abandoned, the provisional is a wrong ball.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.3c(3); Rule 6.3c · applied

Finding the original in time sends the provisional away.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.3c(3) · applied

In a penalty area the provisional is abandoned, but relief is still possible.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.3c(3) · applied

A was found in the rough within three minutes. B was found too late, D is out of bounds, and in C the player may also take Rule 17 relief.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.3c(3) · applied

If only one is found and they cannot be told apart, it is treated as the provisional, in play.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.3c(2) · applied

The player chooses one to be the provisional, now in play; the other is the original and must not be played.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.3c(2) · applied

With known outside influence, the player may substitute under Rule 9.6 or use the provisional.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.3c(2), Exception · applied

The second provisional has the same relationship to the first as the first has to the original.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.3a · recall

Tee shot, penalty stroke, provisional from the tee: the next is the fourth.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.3c(2) · applied

The provisional's stroke does not count once it is abandoned; only the original tee shot does.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.3c(3) · applied

The label does not stick: the ball simply becomes the next ball in play, one stroke added.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.3a · recall

One unidentified ball is the provisional.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.3c(2) · applied

The provisional from the tee counts as the third stroke.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.3c(2) · applied

With only one ball found and no way to tell, it is treated as the provisional, which is now in play.

Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.3c(2) · applied