# Rule 18: Stroke-and-Distance Relief; Ball Lost or Out of Bounds; Provisional Ball (The R&A and USGA Rules of Golf)

Golf · Rule 18: Stroke-and-Distance Relief; Ball Lost or Out of Bounds; Provisional Ball · Insporta Book (https://book.insporta.app/golf/laws/rule-18-stroke-and-distance-relief-ball-lost-or-out-of-bounds-provisional-ball/)

Stroke-and-distance relief at any time, when a ball is lost or out of bounds and what to do, counting strokes, and the provisional ball: when it is allowed, announcing it, when it becomes the ball in play or must be abandoned.

## 18.181 Stroke and Distance, Lost, Out of Bounds

Stroke and distance at any time, when a ball is lost, when it is out of bounds, what to do, and counting strokes.

### Test 1: Stroke and distance at any time

- 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)
- Stroke and distance can be used whatever the lie and wherever the ball is. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.1)
- Replaying is stroke and distance: the next stroke from the tee is the third. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.1)
- 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)
- The stroke-and-distance option exists even when a Rule requires relief in a particular way. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.1)
- 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)
- The player adds one penalty stroke and plays again from where the previous stroke was made. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.1)
- Back to the last spot, drop, add one stroke. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.1)
- Finding the original after the new ball is in play changes nothing. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.1)
- 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)

### Test 2: When a ball is lost

- 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)
- 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))
- A ball does not become lost because the player says so. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Definition of Lost)
- After three minutes the ball is lost and is no longer in play. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.2a(1))
- 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)
- The search time starts when the player or their caddie begins to search. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Definition of Lost)
- The player's ball was not found in time, so it is lost. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.2)
- Three minutes, then lost, then stroke and distance. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.2)
- Identification may run past three minutes when the ball was found in time. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.2a(1))
- 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))

### Test 3: When a ball is out of bounds

- 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))
- 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))
- 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)
- Stakes defining the boundary are out of bounds and are boundary objects. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Definition of Out of Bounds)
- A player may stand out of bounds to play a ball on the course. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.2a(2))
- A ball out of bounds means stroke-and-distance relief. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.2b)
- 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)
- Out of bounds sends the player back to the tee, playing three. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.2b)
- 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)
- 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))

### Test 4: Lost or out of bounds: what to do

- A lost ball with nothing known means stroke and distance. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.2b)
- 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)
- Knowing it is in an abnormal course condition allows free relief instead. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.2b, Exception; Rule 16.1e)
- 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)
- 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)
- 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))
- Tee shot, penalty stroke and three more strokes make five. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.2b; Rule 3.1c)
- Certainty about the condition replaces stroke and distance with free relief. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 16.1e)
- Stroke and distance adds one stroke and repeats the distance. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.2b)
- 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)

### Test 5: Counting strokes and a Local Rule option

- The tee shot plus one penalty stroke means the next tee shot is the third. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.2b)
- Two strokes plus one penalty stroke: the replay from the fairway is the fourth. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.2b)
- 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)
- The Local Rule is intended for general play, not competitions of a high standard. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Model Local Rule E-5)
- 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)
- Two strokes, a penalty stroke, the replay and two putts make six. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.2b; Rule 3.1c)
- 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)
- The penalty stroke comes straight after the tee shot that went out. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.2b)
- The replayed approach is the fourth stroke. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.2b)
- 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)

## 18.182 The Provisional Ball

When a provisional is allowed, announcing it, playing it and when it becomes the ball in play, when it must be abandoned, and special cases.

### Test 1: When a provisional ball is allowed

- 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)
- A ball that might be out of bounds is exactly when a provisional saves time. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.3a)
- If the ball could only be in a penalty area, a provisional is not allowed. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.3a)
- Water alone would rule it out, but the trees beside it keep the provisional open. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.3a)
- When a provisional is not allowed, the ball played is in play under stroke and distance. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.3a)
- 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)
- 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)
- Announce, play the provisional, then go and look. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.3)
- A second provisional is allowed in the same way. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.3a)
- 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)

### Test 2: Announcing a provisional ball

- The player must announce to someone that they are going to play a provisional ball. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.3b)
- Another ball without the word provisional simply replaces the original in play. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.3b)
- Using the word provisional to someone is the clear way to announce it. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.3b)
- With nobody near to hear, the player may play it and inform someone afterwards. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.3b)
- Meaning to call it provisional does not help if nobody was told. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.3b)
- The player may use the word or otherwise clearly indicate they are playing provisionally. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.3b)
- The announcement is made to someone, typically the marker, opponent or another player. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.3b)
- The announcement must come before the stroke. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.3b)
- Alone, the player may announce afterwards. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.3b)
- Hitting another (B) does not say provisional. A, C and D all make the provisional clear. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.3b)

### Test 3: Playing the provisional and when it is in play

- 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))
- A stroke with the provisional from nearer the hole makes it the ball in play. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.3c(2))
- Three minutes without success turn the provisional into the ball that counts. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.3c(2))
- 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))
- An original out of bounds means the provisional is now the ball in play. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.3c(2))
- The usual price of going back applies: a single penalty stroke. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.3c(2))
- 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))
- A lost original turns the provisional into the ball in play. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.3c(2))
- It stays provisional until a stroke is made from nearer the hole. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.3c)
- 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))

### Test 4: When the provisional must be abandoned

- 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))
- 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))
- Strokes with an abandoned provisional, and penalties only for playing it, do not count. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.3c(3))
- Others may keep searching; there is no obligation to stop. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.3c(3))
- 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)
- 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))
- Once abandoned, the provisional is a wrong ball. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.3c(3); Rule 6.3c)
- Finding the original in time sends the provisional away. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.3c(3))
- In a penalty area the provisional is abandoned, but relief is still possible. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.3c(3))
- 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))

### Test 5: Special cases with a provisional

- 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))
- 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))
- 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)
- 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)
- Tee shot, penalty stroke, provisional from the tee: the next is the fourth. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.3c(2))
- 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))
- 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)
- One unidentified ball is the provisional. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.3c(2))
- The provisional from the tee counts as the third stroke. (Source: Rules of Golf (2023), Rule 18.3c(2))
- 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))

Sources: Rules of Golf, effective January 2023 (The R&A and USGA), Rule 18, the Definitions and Model Local Rule E-5 (paraphrased in original wording; original questions authored from the Rules, not reproduced)

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