LOST BALL IN FAIRWAY-PROVISIONAL BALL

Question
I tee'd off (everyone in our foursome saw the ball 0 high popup - came down over the hill at the bottom from the tee mound) no one say exactly where it came to rest.

we all looked for a couple of minutes - I went back to hit a provisional - that shot went OB - next shot went on the green as my  partner went up to hit his next shot he found my ball about 5 yards from the green in front of his.

Since my original ball was not OB or by or in  a water hazard or any kind of hazard - I hit my next shot (original ball) from where it laid onto the green (that made my provisonal ball dead - then putted in for a par.

Everyone in the foursome agreed that was the way to do it, then someone in the club house said that was wrong and we should have used the provisional ball as the one in play -
what is the rule?


Answer
Hi Dee:

Only judging by your wording, you say you all looked for your ball for a couple of minutes.  During that time, you went back to the tee and hit a provisional ball, then hit another ball on the green.  The question that remains is:  Was your original ball found within the allotted 5 minute search window?  If it was, and you did not play a provisional ball from past a point closer to the hole than where the original ball lay, then your original ball is in play.  You were correct.  IF, the 5 minutes had expired before they found your ball, then your original ball would be declared lost (no matter if it is found), you would then play your provisional ball, which went out of bounds, then you would be playing the third ball you hit on the green.   You would be laying 5 on the green playing your 6th shot from there.  

Eddie Kilthau
PGA Member