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Dealing With Water: Know The Rules

Water hazards probably account for moreoriginal ball crossed the hazard.
penalty strokes than anything else inThe Controversy
golf. But water hazards-as dealt withA major source of controversy is
under Rule 26-often lead to controversyestablishing where the ball last crossed
when interpreting the rule. So I'mthe hazard, not where the ball entered
careful to review the topic in my golfthe 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 interpretingon the ground, then rolls back into the
where the ball last crossed the water'swater.
edge. Since the decision affects whereThe easiest way to deal with this type
you take a drop, it makes sense to haveof 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 orland, before it crossed the hazard.
your working on a personal best.Next, determine if the point is between
The Rulesthe red or yellow stakes. If it is, you
Golf's rules define a water hazard ascan decide on the best course of action
"any sea, lake, pond, river, ditch,from that spot.
surface draining ditch, or other openThe additional dropping option for a
water course (whether or not containinglateral water hazard, however, means
water), and anything of a similarthat the ball can sometimes be dropped
nature." Courses mark water hazards withon either side of the hazard, as long as
yellow stakes and lines. But the rulesit is within two club lengths of where
don't stop there, as I mention in mythe 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 watera 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 situatedthat decision.
that it is not possible, or is deemed byHitting out of the water is rarely an
the committee to be impracticable, tooption-and it's not a choice I recommend
drop a ball behind the water hazard inin my golf lessons and golf tips-but it
accordance with Rule 26-1b." In otherhas been known to happen. Payne Stewart
words, it's a water hazard that doesn'tchose to play the ball from a water
lie between the tee and the green. Thehazard during the final hole of his 1989
course marks these off by red stakes orRyder Cup Match with Jose Maria
lines.Olazabal. The attempt failed and he lost
The Remediesthe hole and the match. Think carefully
If you hit into water you do one of fourbefore choosing this option.
things:Grounding the Club
1.You can play the ball as near asIf a player chooses to hit from the
possible to the spot from which thewater 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 waterthe club may be unintentional, but it's
hazard, keeping the point at which thestill a breach of the rules and subjects
ball entered the water's edge, directlythe player to a penalty-two-strokes in
behind the hole and the spot where themedal play and the loss of the hole in
ball is dropped. There's no limit to howmatch play. The rule resembles that
far back the ball may be dropped, ascovering the grounding of a club in a
long as the point of crossing liesbunker.
between the drop and the hole.Knowing the rules governing water
3.You can play the ball as it lies inhazards won't necessarily lower your
the water hazard.golf handicap. But it will give you an
4.If a ball goes into a lateral wateridea your remedies next time you hit
hazard, you can drop a ball away frominto the water. Since you can be
the hazard but within two club lengthspenalized for violating the rules, think
of the point from which the ball lastcarefully before deciding. If you're in
crossed the water. However, the balla tournament and you're confused about
can't come to rest any closer to thewhat to do, don't hesitate to talk with
hole than the point at which theofficials.



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