When a golfer takes a second shot if it is thought that their previous ball is out of bounds or lost.
If a golfer suspects that his ball may be lost, he plays a provisional ball as a time-saving measure. The provisional ball becomes the ball in play if the original ball is indeed lost.
(aka: "provisional") an additional shot played in a situation where it is believed that the original ball may be out of bounds or lost or when the rules are in question and will be checked at the end of play of either the hole or the round (the shot is played before leaving the area of the original shot) Example: "If you think your ball is either out of bounds or lost it's a good idea to play a provisional ball, as it will save you from having to walk back to the tee block if the original ball is indeed out of play or lost."
A ball played when a golfer is unsure whether it will be possible to find or play the first shot, i.e. a ball that may be lost, out of bounds, or in a water hazard. It is picked up without penalty if the first ball may be legally played.
A temporary ball in place for a suspected lost ball.
The playing of a second ball from the same place as the first because the player is unsure of the location of the first ball played ( i.e. may be lost).
A second or more ball hit from the same spot as the last shot when the first ball may be lost or out of bounds.
A ball that is played, usually in an effort to speed up play, as a potential replacement for a ball that may be lost or out of bounds. For example, a player hits his ball toward an out of bounds area, but is not sure the ball is out of bounds. He states the intention to hit a provisional (so he does not have to take time to return to the position from where he hit the original shot) in case the ball is out of bounds. If the original is out of bounds, the provisional becomes the ball in play, with penalty strokes added.
A ball played if the previously played ball may be lost or out of bounds.
A ball that is played, usually in an effort to speed up play, as a potential replacement for a ball that may be lost or out of bounds. For example, if a player hits her ball toward an out-of-bounds area, but is not certain the ball is out of bounds, she declares she is going to hit a provisional ball in case the original ball is out of bounds. If the original is out of bounds, the provisional becomes the ball in play and she needs to add one penalty stroke to her score. This prevents her from having to return to the position from where she hit her original shot and saves time.
A second ball which may be played if the first ball is considered to be lost or out of bounds.
You think your ball may be lost. To save time, you play another from the same spot before searching for the first ball. If the first ball is lost, the second ball is in play.
A "provisional ball" is played under Rule 27-2 for a ball which may be lost outside a water hazard or may be out of bounds.
The playing of a second ball from the same place as the first because the player is unsure of what may have happened to the first ball (i.e. it may be lost).