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GOLF RESOURCE GUIDE:
The Little Things
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Please! Please! Please! Get in the habit of playing a provisional ball. Too often we optimistically go and look for our tee shot, knowing it could be lost. This is the first mistake. When we get there and don’t find it, we “just drop one.” That’s the second mistake. Instead, play a provisional ball. Rule 27-2a of the Rules of Golf simply says that if a ball may be lost (not in a water hazard) or may be out of bounds, to save time the player may play another ball provisionally. Additionally, you must inform your opponent or a fellow competitor by actually saying the words, “This is a provisional.” Even better, announce the brand, the number and any identifiable markings on both the original and the provisional ball. It takes courage to play a provisional: You have to admit that you messed up, and nobody loves doing that. Still … Everyone needs to be encouraged to just suck it up, get another ball out, announce happily, “I am playing a provisional; this one has two red dots and the other one had three dots.” Take your time and hit it. Then go look for your other one. We all need to be aware of ways to save time and keep up the pace of play. The provisional ball offers just that. Bob Madsen, PGA, is Director of Instruction at San Diego’s Sycuan Golf & Tennis Resort. Send him an email at bmadsen@sycuanresort.com. |
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