I’m in a golf league, and apart of the first group off. I hit my ball over the trees on a dogleg but don’t hear anything or see if it made it or not so I tell them I’m playing a provisional, play it safe on the fairway. I then drive up to the green area and scan for about 5 minutes to see if it’s in play anywhere but I don’t believe it is so I go to my provisional in the fairway. As I’m about to hit I see a ball nestled in the rough and inform the other 2 guys that I see a ball that I didn’t when I was up there and said that may be my first ball and told them what was written on it. Since I’m at my provisional I hit it and it turned out to be a pretty good shot but would be putting for par. I get up to my original ball and let them know this is my first ball and I play it out. One of the 2 guys says once you play your provisional, you must use it. I said I know that’s the rule but the next group is on the box when I was already at the provisional and for pace I just figured it was okay to hit this one. Ended up playing it legit because I don’t care enough to argue with a 50 year old on the nuances of a laid back league match. Am I wrong for thinking it’s not that big of a deal to keep things moving or are you to the T about rules.