Tom and Jerry were playing the 18th hole at Gosford Golf Club. Tom thought his tee shot may be out of bounds so he played a provisional ball from the tee. The provisional ball came to rest in the same area as his original ball. Tom found a ball which he believed to be his original ball, he played that ball and then discovered that it was his provisional ball. What is the ruling?
ANSWER: Jerry insisted that Tom had played a wrong ball as he (Tom) thought it was his original ball, and should therefore incur a further two stroke penalty. Tom argued that although he thought it was his original ball, it was not a wrong ball as it was his provisional.
The Club Captain who is very knowledgeable regarding the rules of golf was close by to make a ruling. He pointed out that since Tom had played his provisional ball from an area where his original ball was likely to be the provisional ball had become the ball in play. Tom had not hit a wrong ball but had continued play with his provisional ball. His next stroke will be his fifth (5th). See rule 27-2b (p117 of your rule book).
This is another example of if you know the rules they will save you more strokes than they cost you.