If you hit a wayward shot and would prefer to play your provisional, do you still have to search for your original ball?
Under the official Rules of Golf, players are not required to search for their original ball after hitting a wayward shot. If a golfer decides to play a provisional ball, they may simply proceed to play that provisional ball when it is their turn rather than hunting for the original.
However, if another person locates a ball that might belong to the player, the golfer is obligated to inspect and identify it. If it is their original ball, they must continue play with it. Additionally, if a search is initiated by the player, partner, or caddie, they have a maximum of three minutes to find it before the ball is declared lost.
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