The Rules of Golf - Out of Bounds
Out of Bounds is defined as ground on which play is prohibited i.e. not part of the course.
A ball is out of bounds when the whole of the ball lies out of bounds.
If any part of the ball is touching the line (real or imaginary) between the two closest out of bounds stakes, then the golf ball is considered to be in bounds. Note that a player may stand out of bounds in order to play a ball that is in bounds.
"Out of bounds" is beyond the boundaries of the course or any part of the course so marked by the Committee.
When out of bounds is defined by reference to stakes or a fence or as being beyond stakes or a fence, the out of bounds line is determined by the nearest inside points at ground level of the stakes or fence posts (excluding angled supports). When both stakes and lines are used to indicate out of bounds, the stakes identify out of bounds and the lines define out of bounds. When out of bounds is defined by a line on the ground, the line itself is out of bounds. The out of bounds line extends vertically upwards and downwards.
A ball is out of bounds when all of it lies out of bounds. A player may stand out of bounds to play a ball lying within bounds.
Objects defining out of bounds such as walls, fences, stakes and railings, are not obstructions and are deemed to be fixed. Stakes identifying out of bounds are not obstructions and are deemed to be fixed.
Note 1: Stakes or lines used to define out of bounds should be white.
Rule 27-1(b) - If a ball is out of bounds, the player must play a ball, under penalty of one stroke, as near as possible to the spot from which the original ball was last played.
Provisional Ball
A "provisional ball" is a ball played under Rule 27-2 for a ball that may be lost outside a water hazard or may be out of bounds.
If a player thinks a ball may be out of bounds, to save time he may play another ball provisionally in accordance with Rule 27-1. The player must inform his opponent in match play or his marker or a fellow-competitor in stroke play that they intend to play a provisional ball, and he must play it before he or his partner goes forward to search for the original ball.
If he fails to do so and plays another ball, that ball is not a provisional ball and becomes the ball in play under penalty of stroke and distance(Rule 27-1). Under these circumstances, the original ball is deemed to be lost.
Question: When does a Provisional Ball become the Ball in Play?
Answer: The player may play a provisional ball until he reaches the place where the original ball is likely to be. If he makes a stroke with the provisional ball from the place where the original ball is likely to be or from a point nearer the hole than that place, the original ball is lost and the provisional ball becomes the ball in play under penalty of stroke and distance(Rule 27-1).
Question: When is a Provisional Ball to be Abandoned
Answer: If the original ball is neither lost nor out of bounds, the player must abandon the provisional ball and continue playing the original ball. If he makes any further strokes at the provisional ball, he is playing a wrong ball and the provisions of Rule 15-3 apply.
The Rules of Golf can be complex, but they can help you out of some tricky situations. So, know your rules.
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