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