We have a local rule which was basically introduced to prevent slow play.  If a player hits a ball, which appears there might be a slight chance that it might be lost or Out of Bounds, then they MUST hit a provisional ball. That is, if a ball enters any area of the course that is not fairway or standard length rough (first/second cut).  For example a ball entering undergrowth, weeds, flower beds, deep rough, woodlands etc.) This does not include water hazards.  In the unusual circumstance, that a ball is lost or O.B. and no provisional was hit (due to it appearing ok) then the following should occur. The player MUST NOT return to the tee or place where the lost ball was hit from, but instead drop a new ball at a point where the lost ball is believed to lie. The penalty will be 2 strokes (which is equivalent to stroke and distance). This rule does not apply to water hazards as a ball lost in awater hazard is a one shot penalty.  See the seperate post on Water Hazard rules.

This rule is intended to keep play moving on those odd "what-the-hell?" occassions where you are certain your ball is in the fairway or first cut of rough but can not find it once you get to the position where you expected it to be.  It is not indended to be used when you hit the ball across four fairways and into the trees but decide you probably have a chance of finding it and you don't want to chance losing another golf ball.  Some players in the past have hit the ball thirty yards into the swamp, picked up the tee and walked off saying, "I'll find that." Of course, the ball is never found and the inevitable result is the utterance of the unfortunate phrase, "I'll just drop one here."

If it may be lost, hit another.  If someone in your group says, "You might want to play a provisional", then play a provisional ball.

Since this local rule is not allowing you to exercise your right to go back and play another ball from the previous location, you will always be allowed to take your drop in the first cut of rough. (If no first cut exists, such as where a fairway is boardered by bunkers or waste ground, then the ball maybe dropped on the fairway).  This seems fair, as the circumstance where this rule is invoked is when you lost a ball (or were O.B.) when you hit what appeared to be a good shot, on your intended line, and you believed the ball was not in any trouble.

The most likely time this rule will come into effect is when a ball rolls through the fairway and is lost in light rough.   It may also apply when hitting blind shots, such as successfully cutting the corner on a dog leg or playing over blind hilltops on what is believed to be the correct line.