RULE 26. WATER HAZARDS (INCLUDING LATERAL WATER HAZARDS)
Water hazards (other than lateral water hazards) are defined by yellow stakes or yellow lines.
Lateral water hazards are defined by red stakes or red lines.
26-1. Relief for Ball in Water Hazard
Ball comes to rest in a water hazard.
Player may play the ball as it lies, or
Player may take relief as prescribed in Rule 26-1 under one-stroke penalty,
a. Replay stroke.
b. Drop a ball on the "flag-line". (See flag-line description in KP R24.)
Player must not:
 Touch or move loose impediments, except as allowed by Rule 12-1b.
 Ground club** or touch water, except in searching for ball in water in water hazard.
Player may:
 Move movable obstructions.
 Touch grass, bushes or other growing things with club.
 Ground club** on an obstruction or artificial object defined as an integral part of the course.
As additional options for a ball in a lateral water hazard:
c. Drop a ball within two club-lengths of reference point, not nearer hole, Rule 26-1(i); or point
on opposite margin, Rule 26-1(ii).
** Note: club is grounded in a water hazard when it touches the ground or when the grass is
compressed by the club to the point where it will support the weight of the club. (D13-4/8)
26-2. Ball Played Within Water Hazard
a. Ball Comes to Rest in Same or Another Water Hazard.
Player may play the ball as it lies.
Player may take relief as prescribed in Rule 26-1. Under one-stroke penalty:
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Replay stroke from within the water hazard.
Play stroke from where the last stroke outside water hazard was played.
Drop a ball on the "flag-line”. Reference point is last margin crossed.
If a lateral water hazard, proceed under Rule 26-1c using the point where the ball last
crossed the margin or the point equidistant on opposite margin.
b. Ball Lost or Unplayable Outside Hazard or Out of Bounds
Replay stroke from within water hazard (stroke and distance applies), or
Under penalty of one additional stroke (two total):
 Play a stroke from where last stroke outside water hazard was played.
 Drop a ball on the "flag-line”. Reference point is last margin crossed.
If a ball played from within water hazard comes to rest outside water hazard and is deemed
unplayable, the player may proceed under Rule 28.
Robin Farran and Dennis Walsh
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