Hit OB from hazard, but didn't know it

[tbjohnston]

Coming out of a hazard from behind a green, I hit the ball too far. Far too far. The ball entered a copse of trees about 15 yards downhill from the green. I raked the sand and then went to find my ball. It had gone 6" past a fence marking OB and was clearly visible.

Now I know I needed to go back and hit from the hazard again. But do I have an additional penalty for having raked the sand?

Thanks

[RemyM]

2 shot penalty in stroke play or loss of hole in match play for improving the area you were supposed to drop in. Rule 13

[firstcut]

2 shot penalty in stroke play or loss of hole in match play for improving the area you were supposed to drop in. Rule 13

Damn man.. You are the rules genie!

So, what should he have done? Hit a provisional and then rake or not rake at all?

[Fourputt]

2 shot penalty in stroke play or loss of hole in match play for improving the area you were supposed to drop in. Rule 13

No. See Exception 2 to Rule 13-4. Note the sentence that I highlighted.

2. After making the stroke, if the ball is still in the hazard or has been lifted from the hazard and may be dropped or placed in the hazard, the player may smooth sand or soil in the hazard, provided nothing is done to breach Rule 13-2 with respect to his next stroke. If the ball is outside the hazard after the stroke, the player may smooth sand or soil in the hazard without restriction.

[RemyM]

No. See Exception 2 to Rule 13-4. Note the sentence that I highlighted.

Damn, I read it before I posted and still missed that.

[tbjohnston]

Thanks guys