Simpler Rules: Rule 26

Rule 26: Water Hazards                     

26-1. Relief for Ball in Water Hazard

If a ball is found in a water hazard or if there is conclusive evidence that a ball which has not been found is in the water hazard, the player may, under penalty of one stroke: 

(i)     Proceed in accordance with the procedure for playing from the place last played; or  

(ii)    Place 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 placed, with no limit to how far behind the water hazard the ball may be placed; or  

(iii)   If the ball last crossed the margin of a lateral water hazard, proceed in accordance with the procedure for taking relief at, 

(a)     the point where the original ball last crossed the margin of the water hazard, or

(b)     a point on the opposite margin of the water hazard equidistant from the hole.  

In the absence of conclusive evidence that a ball has come to rest in a hazard, the player must proceed in accordance with Rule 27-­1b. 

(Prohibited actions when ball is in a hazard – see Rule 13-4)

(Ball moving in water in a water hazard – see Rule 14-6)

 

26-2. Ball Played Within Water Hazard

a. Ball Comes to Rest in Same Water Hazard

If a ball played from within a water hazard comes to rest in the same water hazard, the player may, under penalty of one stroke: 

(i)     Proceed in accordance with the procedure for playing from the place last played; or  

(ii)    Place 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 placed, with no limit to how far behind the water hazard the ball may be placed; or  

(iii)   If the ball last crossed the margin of a lateral water hazard, proceed in accordance with the procedure for taking relief at, 

(a)     the point where the original ball last crossed the margin of the water hazard, or

(b)     a point on the opposite margin of the water hazard equidistant from the hole.  

b. Ball Comes to Rest in Another Water Hazard

If a ball played from within a water hazard comes to rest in another water hazard, the player may proceed in accordance with Rule 26-1. 

c. Ball Lost or Out-of Bounds

If a ball played from within a water hazard is lost other than in another water hazard or is out-of-bounds, the player may, under penalty of one stroke:

(i)     Proceed in accordance with the procedure for playing from the place last played; or  

(ii)    Under an additional penalty of one stroke, place 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 placed, with no limit to how far behind the water hazard the ball may be placed; or  

(iii)   Under an additional penalty of one stroke, if the ball last crossed the margin of a lateral water hazard, proceed in accordance with the procedure for taking relief at, 

(a)     the point where the original ball last crossed the margin of the water hazard, or

(b)     a point on the opposite margin of the water hazard equidistant from the hole. 

 

PENALTY FOR BREACH OF RULE:

Match play – Loss of hole; Stroke play – Two strokes.