Casual Water?

[Andrew Gibson]

We have had a fair amount of rain this summer here in the tampa area, We have really needed the rain for several years... seems like the mid west could use some of it now as well. I play a very inexpensive course... $10 all you can play after 3pm...

On one of the holes just right of the green is a low spot... maybe 50 yards square... (not low like a buncker, but water is collecting there recently with all the rain) I found myself in this spot yesterday and the grass is about knee deep and the water is 1"-2" deep. The area has not been moed in a few weeks because of the daily rains and the area has not dried out. As you can imagine it is not very likely to find a ball in this area because of the grass and the water... so how should this area be played?

My thought is to play it as casual water and taking relief within 1 clublength, no nearer the hole. In this situation I would have to substitute a ball...

My question comes into play because I can not see or identify my ball in this situation because I can not search in the tall grass because of the water, and the tall grass would not be there if not for the water as well.  So is it acceptable in this situation to play under the casual water ruling, or should the ball be played as lost and take a stroke and distance penelity?

[Fourputt]

As long as it is known or virtually certain that the ball is lost in the casual water, then you may proceed to take relief under Rule 24.  Treating it almost like a water hazard, you will identify the point where the ball crossed into the area which can be considered as abnormal ground (casual water), then from that point determine the nearest point of relief where the water doesn't interfere with your stance, lie or swing.  From that NPR you get up to one clublength, not nearer the hole, to make your drop.  No penalty for this process.

[Andrew Gibson]

Yes it would be certain in this situation that the ball is in the area, the grass is cut all around and would be easily found, also I watched the ball land in the area. I am glad to hear that I was correct and that I proceeded appropriately.

[Rulesman]

Originally Posted by Fourputt

As long as it is known or virtually certain that the ball is lost in the casual water, then you may proceed to take relief under Rule 24.

The specific rule for this situation is 25-1c . The relief procedure is 25-1b(i) which as it happens is the same as 24-2b(i)

Ball in Abnormal Ground Condition Not Found

It is a question of fact whether a ball that has not been found after having been struck toward an abnormal ground condition is in such a condition. In order to apply this Rule, it must be known or virtually certain that the ball is in the abnormal ground condition . In the absence of such knowledge or certainty, the player must proceed under Rule 27-1 .

If it is known or virtually certain that a ball that has not been found is in an abnormal ground condition , the player may take relief under this Rule. If he elects to do so, the spot where the ball last crossed the outermost limits of the abnormal ground condition must be determined and, for the purpose of applying this Rule, the ball is deemed to lie at this spot and the player must proceed as follows:

(i) Through the Green : If the ball last crossed the outermost limits of the abnormal ground condition at a spot through the green , the player may substitute another ball, without penalty, and take relief as prescribed in Rule 25-1b(i) .

[Fourputt]

My error... right idea, just wrong Rule number.