WATER IS HAZARDOUS TO PLAYING AND RULINGS

Rule 26 explicitly outlines the procedure for dealing with water hazards. However, sometimes an outline is not enough. Quite often players are confused as to how to obtain relief from water hazards, and the fact that there are two kinds of water hazards doesn’t help the matter.

The following is a short explanation of Rule 26 and some possible situations you may find yourself during the next round.

It is a question of fact whether a ball lost after having been struck toward a water hazard is lost inside or outside the hazard. In order to treat the ball as lost in the hazard, there must be reasonable evidence that the ball finished moving within the hazard. In the absence of such evidence, the ball must be treated as a lost ball.

If a ball is in or lost in a water hazard, the player may under penalty of one stroke:
a. Play a ball as nearly as possible to the spot from which the original ball was last played.
b. Drop a ball behind the water hazard, keeping in line the point on the margin of the hazard last crossed and the hole, with no limit as to how far behind the hazard the ball is dropped.
c. As additional options available only if the ball last crossed the margin of a lateral water hazard, drop a ball outside the water hazard within two club-lengths of and not nearer the hole than (i) the point where the original ball last crossed the margin of the water hazard or (ii) a point on the opposite margin of the water hazard equidistant from the hole.

The ball may be lifted under Rule 26.

For other questions on the Rules of Golf, check out the other articles in NOGA's USGA Rules Corner! Play well, and get to know the Rules of Golf!