Foursome Match Play

In a match, one party decides to play a provisional ball, as the original ball could presumably be lost in the out. Mistakenly, the party who played the provisional ball also plays the previous shot.

The opponent immediately raises an objection, as playing out of sequence always means the loss of a hole in the hole game and a penalty of two strokes in the counting game.

However, the party concerned does not agree with the opponent's decision and calls a referee. The referee asks the player to explain the correct decision.

There is an interpretation 22.3/4
22.3/4 - How to proceed if a provisional ball is played by the wrong partner
If a party decides to play a provisional ball, it must be played by the partner whose turn it is to make the next stroke for that party.

Example: Player A and player B are partners of party A-B. Player A plays his ball and there is doubt as to whether the ball is out of bounds or lost outside a penalty area. If the party decides to play a provisional ball, player B must play the provisional ball. If player A mistakenly plays the provisional ball, this is not penalised if the original ball is found and the provisional ball does not become the ball in play.

However, if the original ball is lost and the provisional ball becomes the ball in play, the party loses the hole in stroke play or incurs a penalty of two strokes in stroke play for playing in the wrong order, as player A played the provisional ball in this example. In stroke play, the provisional ball must be abandoned and player B must return to the location of player A's last stroke with the original ball and put a ball in play (Rule 18.2b).

The parties went forward, searched for the original ball for 3 minutes, it was not found and therefore it was correct that the affected party lost the hole.

In the meantime, if you would like to know more about the Rules of Golf, please contact me directly at hans.kienesberger@golf.at.