Rules Update 4 – Out of Bounds and Lost Ball
Posted on: 15 December
Hi Members
Below is an explanation of the lost ball and Out of Bounds rules.
A video is available here
Lost Ball and Out of bounds.
Lost Ball.
You have 3 minutes to search for your ball from the time you reach the area where the ball has disappeared. If not found in that time it is LOST.
If your partner and your own ball are in the same area and may be lost you have 3 minutes to search for both balls. If in different areas then you have 3 minutes to search for each ball.
If you think your ball may be lost, then it is wise (& saves time) to play a provisional ball which becomes the ball in play if the original is not found.
It is not necessary to search for your ball (eg if you have hit a great provisional) but if anyone else finds it within 3 minutes then the provisional is out of play. If the provisional is closer to the hole than the original probably is then you may play the provisional and it becomes the ball in play, even if the original is then found within the 3 minutes.
The provisional ball is played under stroke and distance (meaning you add one stroke and play from the original spot)
Gisborne Golf Club and many others have a local rule (authorised by the R & A ) that allows you to play a ball from where it may be lost , with the dropping point up to 2 club lengths onto the fairway equidistant from the flag. This also applies to a ball that is out of bounds.
Out of Bounds.
A ball is out of bounds if ALL of the ball is out of bounds. The out of bounds line is the line between the Inside of the boundary posts. Eg . If your ball is against the wire on the LHS of the 11th then it is still in bounds and your only option would be to declare it unplayable and take unplayable relief. (more on that later).
Your ball must be at rest OOB before it is OOB. Ie It can pass over the OOB margin and be deflected back onto the course. Eg by hitting a tree or rock or deflected by a passing car (18th).
Again you should play a provisional ball if you think it may be OOB, but you also have the local rule option listed in the lost ball explanation above.
Note . All our local rules are listed on the MIScore app
There is also a 3 minute timer on the app that activates when you hit the “mins” button on the top left hand side.