Model Local Rule B-3 - Provisional Ball for Penalty Area?

[reidsou]

On our 18th hole we have a lateral penalty area that is a pond about 150 yards from the tee and 20 yards left of the fairway through some bushes where players often hit their tee shots. For a ball hit into the pond, players take lateral penalty area relief and generally have to then punch out to get back to the fairway. Or could even drop and have an unplayable lie in a bush next to the penalty area. This makes the penalty area very punitive. As they generally lie 3 in the fairway far behind where they would hit a good drive. 

The obvious answer is to take stroke and distance instead of lateral penalty relief. However, it is the last hole and we have penalties for slow play, so players will be reluctant to walk back to the tee. Also, even if they hit a provisional ball, if they discover their ball went into the penalty area they must abandon the provisional ball. Still necessitating a walk back for the stroke and distance option.

The solution might be model local rule B-3 that allows a provisional ball for a ball that might be lost or in a penalty area. Does anyone have experience with this local rule? 

Other ideas?

Edited July 3, 2025 by reidsou
move to Rules forum

[DaveP043]

I think using B-3 is pretty appropriate for this situation.  if used by the player, the player DOES lose the opportunity to used Lateral Relief even if that woild be a good option.  Another thing to consider, move the boundary of the Penalty Area so that the worst of the bushes are inside the PA, so Lateral Relief will yield a more playable shot.  One more option, establish a Dropping Zone per MLR E-1 for balls in the Penalty Area.