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