[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":20},["ShallowReactive",2],{"article-rules-of-golf-what-to-do-when-your-ball-is-lost-or-out-of-bounds":3},{"slug":4,"title":5,"subtitle":6,"image":7,"imageAlt":8,"category":9,"html":12,"wordCount":13,"prev":14,"next":17},"what-to-do-when-your-ball-is-lost-or-out-of-bounds","What to Do When Your Ball Is Lost or Out of Bounds","A calm, practical guide for handling lost balls and out-of-bounds shots without derailing the round.","\u002Fimg\u002Frules-of-golf\u002Fwhat-to-do-when-your-ball-is-lost-or-out-of-bounds_do-when-ball.png","What to Do When Your Ball Is Lost or Out of Bounds illustration",{"slug":10,"title":11},"rules-of-golf","Rules of golf","\u003Ch3>Act before the search starts\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\u003Cp>If a ball might be lost outside a penalty area or out of bounds, play a provisional before walking forward. Say the word “provisional” clearly. That one habit can save a long walk back and keep the group moving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch3>A useful watch note\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\u003Cp>FocusGolf is not a rules official, but its watch-first shot and distance tracking can help you understand your patterns. On a Wear OS, Apple Watch, or Garmin watch, the app records shots without club sensors, so later you can see which tee shots or clubs are putting you near out of bounds. That evidence can guide smarter provisional-ball habits and safer targets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch3>The basic difference\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\u003Cp>A lost ball or out-of-bounds shot usually means stroke-and-distance. A penalty area has different relief options. Do not blend the two just because the ball disappeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch3>Keep your head\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\u003Cp>The rules are not there to embarrass you. They give you a procedure. Follow it, choose the next target, and make the next swing about recovery rather than frustration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",177,{"slug":15,"title":16},"the-essential-rules-every-golfer-should-know","The Essential Rules Every Golfer Should Know",{"slug":18,"title":19},"free-relief-vs-penalty-relief-what-s-the-difference","Free Relief vs Penalty Relief: What's the Difference?",1782812355720]