What happens if I play a provisional ball out of turn from the tee?

In match play, if your opponent plays a provisional ball before you do, you lose the right to cancel that stroke even if you had the honour. In stroke play, ready golf applies and there's no penalty for playing out of turn.

Match play: honour still matters, but not for provisionals

You have the honour on the tee, so normally you play first. If your opponent hits and thinks their ball might be lost or out of bounds, they can play a provisional ball right away. Once they've played that provisional, you can't invoke Rule 6.4a(2) to cancel their stroke — the interpretation is clear: the right to cancel disappears the moment the provisional is struck. You still play your own ball (or provisional) when it's your turn, but the opponent's provisional stands no matter what.

Stroke play: ready golf rules the tee

There's no honour penalty in stroke play. The player with the lowest score on the previous hole has the honour, but anyone can play when ready — including hitting a provisional ball — as long as it's safe. No one can cancel a stroke, and playing out of turn is actively encouraged to keep things moving. Just don't hit while someone's still in your line of fire.

What changes if you both play provisionals

If you both hit provisionals, the order for the next shots goes by distance from the hole, same as always. The fact that one provisional was played 'out of turn' doesn't create a penalty or a do-over. In match play, the only thing you lose is the cancellation right — the strokes themselves count exactly as played.

Exceptions that change the answer

• Opponent plays provisional before you in match play → You cannot cancel their stroke under Rule 6.4a(2) — that right is gone once the provisional is struck
• Both players agree to play out of turn to save time in match play → The player who invited or agreed gives up the right to cancel the stroke

Frequently asked questions

I had the honour but my opponent hit a provisional first — can I make them replay it?

No. Once your opponent plays a provisional ball from the tee, you lose the right to cancel that stroke under Rule 6.4a(2), even though you had the honour. Their provisional stands.

Does this apply in stroke play too?

No. In stroke play there's no penalty for playing out of turn and no cancellation rule. Ready golf is encouraged — whoever is ready can hit a provisional ball whenever it's safe.

What if we both play provisionals — who hits next?

After both provisionals are played, order reverts to normal: the ball farthest from the hole plays first, regardless of who hit their provisional when.

Can we agree to let the opponent play their provisional first in match play?

Yes, you can invite them to play out of turn to save time. But if you do, you give up your right to cancel that stroke — same result as if they'd just played it.

What if my opponent's provisional turns out to be their ball in play?

Then that provisional becomes the ball in play. The fact it was played out of turn doesn't change anything — it counts, and you play your ball from where it lies.