What Is Provisional Shot In Golf

What is a Provisional Shot in Golf?

I was playing in a tournament with my buddy the other day when he hit a terrible shot into the woods. He was so frustrated that he just threw his club down and walked away. I told him to chill out and just play a provisional shot. He didn’t know what I was talking about, so I explained it to him. A provisional shot is a shot that you play when you’re not sure whether your original shot is going to be playable. You play the provisional shot from the same spot as your original shot, but you don’t count it as a stroke until you’re sure that your original shot is unplayable.

My buddy didn’t end up needing to play his provisional shot, but it’s a good thing he knew about it. If he had hit a provisional shot, he would have saved himself a lot of time and frustration.

When to Play a Provisional Shot

There are a few different situations when you might want to play a provisional shot. Here are a few examples:

• If you hit your ball into a hazard, such as a water hazard or a bunker.
• If you hit your ball into a thick patch of rough.
• If you hit your ball out of bounds.
• If you’re not sure whether your ball is going to be playable.

If you’re not sure whether you should play a provisional shot, it’s always better to err on the side of caution and play one. It’s better to have a provisional shot that you don’t need than to not have one that you do need.

How to Play a Provisional Shot

To play a provisional shot, simply hit a second shot from the same spot as your original shot. You don’t need to declare that you’re playing a provisional shot, but it’s a good idea to let your playing partners know.

Once you’ve played your provisional shot, you can go and look for your original shot. If you find your original shot, you can decide whether you want to play it or your provisional shot. If you decide to play your provisional shot, your original shot does not count.

If you don’t find your original shot, you must play your provisional shot. This is why it’s important to play your provisional shot from the same spot as your original shot. If you play your provisional shot from a different spot, you will get a penalty.

Tips for Playing a Provisional Shot

Here are a few tips for playing a provisional shot:

• Play your provisional shot from the same spot as your original shot.
• Don’t declare that you’re playing a provisional shot, but let your playing partners know.
• If you find your original shot, you can decide whether you want to play it or your provisional shot.

  If you decide to play your provisional shot, your original shot does not count.

  If you don’t find your original shot, you must play your provisional shot.

FAQs About Provisional Shots

Here are a few FAQs about provisional shots:

1. Q: What is a provisional shot?
   A: A provisional shot is a shot that you play when you’re not sure whether your original shot is going to be playable.
2. Q: When should I play a provisional shot?
   A: You should play a provisional shot when you’re not sure whether your original shot is going to be playable, such as when you hit your ball into a hazard or a thick patch of rough.
3. Q: How do I play a provisional shot?
   A: To play a provisional shot, hit a second shot from the same spot as your original shot. You don’t need to declare that you’re playing a provisional shot, but it’s a good idea to let your playing partners know.
4. Q: What happens if I find my original shot after I’ve played a provisional shot?
   A: If you find your original shot, you can decide whether you want to play it or your provisional shot. If you decide to play your provisional shot, your original shot does not count.
5. Q: What happens if I don’t find my original shot?
   A: If you don’t find your original shot, you must play your provisional shot.

Conclusion

Provisional shots are an important part of the game of golf. They can save you time and frustration, and they can help you to improve your score. If you’re not sure whether you should play a provisional shot, it’s always better to err on the side of caution and play one.

Are you interested in learning more about provisional shots?