April Rules Tip of the Month
One of the most confusing areas in the rules of golf for many women is the correct way to proceed if a ball lands in a lateral or direct water hazard. So what are your choices from a lateral (marked with red stakes) or a direct (marked with yellow stakes) water hazard?
First – without penalty – you can play the ball as it lies. Remember that you would be playing from within a hazard so certain conditions apply (i.e. you cannot ground your club in the hazard). Or, with the penalty of one stroke:
- Play the ball where the original ball was last played (see rule 20-5)
- Drop the 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 – no limit to how far behind the water hazard the ball may be dropped
- Red (lateral) water hazards only: Drop a ball within two club-lengths of and not nearer the hole where the original ball last crossed the margin of the water hazard.
- Red (lateral) water hazards only: Drop a ball within two club-lengths of and not nearer to the hole than a point on the opposite margin of the water hazard equidistant from the hole (works well with rivers/streams)
For more information, check our your Rules Book, 26-1 on page 78.