Lost or Out of Bounds Ball

[John Morrissett]

Jim -

We agree there is plenty of room for improvement in this area. In Code Two (in which golf is played with a points-based scoring system), David and I go so far as to provide for a penalty zero points earned for a lost ball or ball that is out of bounds. With that penalty, there is no longer a need to play a provisional ball.

Short of that change, we cannot, unfortunately, envision a better penalty for a lost ball than stroke and distance. If a player were to drop a ball in the area where the original is lost, imagine the arguments that would ensue!

As out of bounds is a clearly defined area (similar to a water hazard), a fair case could be made for allowing relief based on where the ball last crossed the boundary.

Best regards,
John