| Water hazards probably account for more | | | | closer to the hole than the point at which |
| penalty strokes than anything else in golf. | | | | the original ball crossed the hazard. |
| But water hazards-as dealt with under Rule | | | | |
| 26-often lead to controversy when | | | | The Controversy |
| interpreting the rule. So I'm careful to | | | | |
| review the topic in my golf lessons and | | | | A major source of controversy is establishing |
| discuss it in my golf tips. | | | | where the ball last crossed the hazard, not |
| | | | where the ball entered the water, which could |
| The controversy stems from interpreting where | | | | be relevant in situations in which where a |
| the ball last crossed the water's edge. Since | | | | ball lands on the ground, then rolls back |
| the decision affects where you take a drop, | | | | into the water. |
| it makes sense to have a good understanding | | | | |
| of the rule, especially if a match is on the | | | | The easiest way to deal with this type of |
| line or your working on a personal best. | | | | problem is to determine the point where the |
| | | | ball was last on, or over, dry land, before |
| The Rules | | | | it crossed the hazard. Next, determine if the |
| | | | point is between the red or yellow stakes. If |
| Golf's rules define a water hazard as "any | | | | it is, you can decide on the best course of |
| sea, lake, pond, river, ditch, surface | | | | action from that spot. |
| draining ditch, or other open water course | | | | |
| (whether or not containing water), and | | | | The additional dropping option for a lateral |
| anything of a similar nature." Courses mark | | | | water hazard, however, means that the ball |
| water hazards with yellow stakes and lines. | | | | can sometimes be dropped on either side of |
| But the rules don't stop there, as I mention | | | | the hazard, as long as it is within two club |
| in my golf tips and during my golf lessons; | | | | lengths of where the ball crossed the edge of |
| they also discuss a lateral water hazard. | | | | the hazard and no closer to the hole. That |
| | | | can make a difference when you finally |
| The rules define a "later water hazard" as | | | | determine where to drop the ball. |
| part of a water hazard "so situated that it | | | | Unfortunately, no golf instruction can help |
| is not possible, or is deemed by the | | | | you make that decision. |
| committee to be impracticable, to drop a ball | | | | |
| behind the water hazard in accordance with | | | | Hitting out of the water is rarely an |
| Rule 26-1b." In other words, it's a water | | | | option-and it's not a choice I recommend in |
| hazard that doesn't lie between the tee and | | | | my golf lessons and golf tips-but it has been |
| the green. The course marks these off by red | | | | known to happen. Payne Stewart chose to play |
| stakes or lines. | | | | the ball from a water hazard during the final |
| | | | hole of his 1989 Ryder Cup Match with Jose |
| The Remedies | | | | Maria Olazabal. The attempt failed and he |
| | | | lost the hole and the match. Think carefully |
| If you hit into water you do one of four | | | | before choosing this option. |
| things: | | | | |
| | | | Grounding the Club |
| 1.You can play the ball as near as possible | | | | |
| to the spot from which the original ball was | | | | If a player chooses to hit from the water |
| played. | | | | hazard, he or she can't ground the club at |
| | | | any stage of address. Grounding the club may |
| 2.You can drop a ball behind the water | | | | be unintentional, but it's still a breach of |
| hazard, keeping the point at which the ball | | | | the rules and subjects the player to a |
| entered the water's edge, directly behind the | | | | penalty-two-strokes in medal play and the |
| hole and the spot where the ball is dropped. | | | | loss of the hole in match play. The rule |
| There's no limit to how far back the ball may | | | | resembles that covering the grounding of a |
| be dropped, as long as the point of crossing | | | | club in a bunker. |
| lies between the drop and the hole. | | | | |
| | | | Knowing the rules governing water hazards |
| 3.You can play the ball as it lies in the | | | | won't necessarily lower your golf handicap. |
| water hazard. | | | | But it will give you an idea your remedies |
| | | | next time you hit into the water. Since you |
| 4.If a ball goes into a lateral water hazard, | | | | can be penalized for violating the rules, |
| you can drop a ball away from the hazard but | | | | think carefully before deciding. If you're in |
| within two club lengths of the point from | | | | a tournament and you're confused about what |
| which the ball last crossed the water. | | | | to do, don't hesitate to talk with officials. |
| However, the ball can't come to rest any | | | | |