Pre-emptive unplayable lie?

[madcityscott]

On Sunday I shanked a tee shot toward the next fairway. I suspected it was unplayable (behind a tree) but didn't know for sure. Can I hit a provisional ball at that point, or do I have to wait until I know for sure that it's unplayable? (I suspect it's the latter, since it would be quite an advantage to be able to choose which ball you'd rather play!)

[David in FL]

You cannot hit a provisional ball unless you suspect that the ball is OB or lost.

If you play a second ball in the scenario you describe, you're declaring your first ball unplayable (as is your right) and are hitting 3 from the tee.

[iacas]

On Sunday I shanked a tee shot toward the next fairway. I suspected it was unplayable (behind a tree) but didn't know for sure. Can I hit a provisional ball at that point, or do I have to wait until I know for sure that it's unplayable? (I suspect it's the latter, since it would be quite an advantage to be able to choose which ball you'd rather play!)

No. Look up the definition of a provisional ball.

Source: Definition of Provisional Ball Provisional Ball A "provisional ball" is a ball played under Rule 27-2 for a ball that may be lost outside a water hazard or may be out of bounds.

C'mon people: Bookmark it and look here first .