Golf Rules: When Can You Play a Provisional Ball?

Question
Can a provisional ball be played if there is a doubt about whether, after a stroke, a ball has entered a water hazard?

Answer
Jack,

No you can't play a provisional ball if you think that the ball may be in a hazard. If you do play a second ball, that would be the ball in play and you would be lying 3.

The two occasions where you may play a provisional ball are as  follows;

1. If you think the ball may be out of bounds.

2. If you believe that the ball may be lost.

Here are a couple of things to remember when playing a provisional ball. Make sure that you declare that you are playing a provisional ball. Also mark the ball differently so you can identify both the first and the second ball in case they are laying side by side when you locate them.

Thank you,

Michael