FEBRUARY
USGA Rule 26 - Water Hazards
26-1. Relief for Ball in Water Hazard
It is a question of fact whether a ball that has not been found after having been struck toward a
water hazard
is in the
hazard
. In the absence of knowledge or virtual certainty that a ball struck toward a water hazard, but
not found, is in the hazard, the player must proceed under
Rule 27-1
.
If a ball is found in a water hazard or if it is known or virtually certain that a ball that has not
been found is in the water hazard (whether the ball lies in water or not), the player may under
penalty of one stroke
:
a. Proceed under the stroke and distance provision of Rule 27-1 by playing a ball as nearly as
possible at the spot from which the original ball was last played (see
Rule 20-5
); or
b. Drop a ball behind the water hazard, keeping the point at which the original ball last crossed
the margin of the water hazard directly between the
hole and the spot on which the ball is
dropped, with no limit to how far behind the water hazard the ball may be dropped; or
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.
When proceeding under this Rule, the player may lift and clean his ball or substitute a ball.
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THAT IS THE RULE AND THIS IS WHAT IT MEANS.
There are two types – water hazards and lateral water hazards . By definition, a water hazard
(e.g., yellow stakes and/or lines) is any sea, lake, pond, river, ditch, surface drainage ditch or
other open water course (whether or not containing water) and anything of a similar nature on
the course. All ground and water within the margin of a water hazard are part of the water
hazard. A lateral water hazard (e.g., red stakes and/or lines) is a water hazard or that part of the
water hazard so situated that it is not possible, or is deemed by the Committee to be
impractical, to drop a ball behind the water hazard in accordance with Rule 26-1b.
If a player's ball comes to rest in a water hazard (YELLOW STAKES or LINES), the player has
three options. The player may:
1. play the ball as it lies without penalty ( Rule 13-1 ); or under penalty of one stroke;
2. play a ball as nearly as possible at the spot from which the original ball was last played (see
Rule 20-5
); or
3. drop a ball behind the water hazard, keeping the point at which the original ball last crossed
the margin of the water hazard directly between the hole and the spot on which the ball is
dropped, with no limit to how far
behind the water hazard the ball may be
dropped.
A question we get on a regular basis is about Hole #4, “If my ball crossed over a water hazard
(yellow stakes and/or lines) onto land and then rolls back in the hazard, where can I drop? Can
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I drop on the green side of the water hazard?”
First, you may drop your ball in accordance with (2) and (3) above. Second, the green side of
the water hazard is not behind the water hazard. If your ball last crossed the margin of a water
hazard as described above, the ball crossed the margin of the hazard three times (e.g., first,
the initial time it crossed; second, when it crossed over the hazard onto land; and third, when
the ball rolled back into the hazard). So when the Rule states that the ball must be dropped
“keeping the point
where the ball last crossed the margin of
the water hazard directly between the hole and the spot on which the ball is to be dropped,” it is
referring to the third (final) time. It is the reference point for the 26-1b option only.
Refer to Decision 26-1/1.5 for an illustration of the meaning of “behind.”
If a player's ball comes to rest in a water hazard (RED STAKES or LINES), the player has five
options. The player may:
1. play the ball as it lies without penalty ( Rule 13-1 ); or under penalty of one stroke;
2. play a ball as nearly as possible at the spot from which the original ball was last played (see
Rule 20-5
); or
3. drop a ball behind the water hazard, keeping the point at which the original ball last crossed
the margin of the water hazard directly between the hole and the spot on which the ball is
dropped, with no limit to how far
behind the water hazard the ball may be
dropped.
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4. drop a ball outside the water hazard within two club-lengths of and not nearer the hole than
the point where the original ball last crossed the margin of the water hazard
5. drop a ball outside the water hazard within two club-lengths of and not nearer the hole than a
point on the opposite margin of the water hazard equidistant from the hole.
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