Ball entering a hazard

[Pushy]

I played a hole recently that had me uncertain of the rules.  The hole is a par 5 set up to play as kind of a U shape.  You hit a tee shot over a stream, advance it lateral to the stream to the right, and then go back over the stream to the hole.  In other words, both the tee box and hole are on the same side of the stream, separated by trees.

My question.  I popped a tee shot up that cleared the stream but just by a little.  It hit the ground but rolled back into the hazard.  Do the rules allow me to drop on the playable side of the stream or do I need to take another tee shot?  It seems like touching ground and entering the hazard in the direction of the hole might impact the decision, but then it is only one swing so maybe touching the ground doesn't matter since it didn't come to rest there.

[Fourputt]

I played a hole recently that had me uncertain of the rules.  The hole is a par 5 set up to play as kind of a U shape.  You hit a tee shot over a stream, advance it lateral to the stream to the right, and then go back over the stream to the hole.  In other words, both the tee box and hole are on the same side of the stream, separated by trees.

My question.  I popped a tee shot up that cleared the stream but just by a little.  It hit the ground but rolled back into the hazard.  Do the rules allow me to drop on the playable side of the stream or do I need to take another tee shot?  It seems like touching ground and entering the hazard in the direction of the hole might impact the decision, but then it is only one swing so maybe touching the ground doesn't matter since it didn't come to rest there.

The reference point is where the ball last crossed the margin of the hazard.  It also makes a difference whether it is a regular water hazard (yellow stakes or lines) or a lateral water hazard (red stakes or lines).  I'll need more information before I can give you a definitive answer.  It also matters whether the ball landed on the ground within the hazard margin or crossed all the way over and landed outside and then rolled back in.  We need more details to make a proper ruling.

[saevel25]

I played a hole recently that had me uncertain of the rules.  The hole is a par 5 set up to play as kind of a U shape.  You hit a tee shot over a stream, advance it lateral to the stream to the right, and then go back over the stream to the hole.  In other words, both the tee box and hole are on the same side of the stream, separated by trees.

My question.  I popped a tee shot up that cleared the stream but just by a little.  It hit the ground but rolled back into the hazard.  Do the rules allow me to drop on the playable side of the stream or do I need to take another tee shot?  It seems like touching ground and entering the hazard in the direction of the hole might impact the decision, but then it is only one swing so maybe touching the ground doesn't matter since it didn't come to rest there.

Depends on the type of hazard, and if the all cleared the painted line (or stakes). In the instance of stakes, you draw a straight line from stake to stake. From there, if the ball crossed that virtual line, then it has cleared the hazard. If it didn't, then it did not clear the hazard. Water does not define the hazard, the stakes and/or painted marking does.

[Pushy]

Just going from memory, I think it is a lateral hazard.  There is definitely a painted line along the stream and I believe it's red, though that does seem unusual when you have to actually cross the water.  I believe my ball did cross the line and rolled back in.

[Fourputt]

Just going from memory, I think it is a lateral hazard.  There is definitely a painted line along the stream and I believe it's red, though that does seem unusual when you have to actually cross the water.  I believe my ball did cross the line and rolled back in.

If it is a lateral then your options may be different than if it is a regular water hazard.  If it is possible to make the drop not closer to the hole, you can measure 2 clublengths from the point where the ball last crossed the margin (that would be when it rolled back in), and when dropped the ball must first hit the course within that measured area, but not in the hazard.  If there is no point which meets the requirement of not closer to the hole, then you would have to use a point directly on the opposite side of the hazard for your reference point.  The key to taking relief is to determine the type of water hazard, then correctly establish the point where the ball last crossed into the hazard.

By the way, a hazard may change designation in different locations - a stream may be a lateral water hazard where it parallels the fairway, then change to a yellow hazard when it turns across the fairway, then back to lateral again on the other side.

Below is the rule:

26-1. Relief For Ball In Water Hazard

It is a question of fact whether a ball that has not been found after having been struck toward a water hazard is in the hazard. In the absence of knowledge or virtual certainty that a ball struck toward a water hazard, but not found, is in thehazard, the player must proceed under Rule 27-1.

If a ball is found in a water hazard or if it is known or virtually certain that a ball that has not been found is in the water hazard (whether the ball lies in water or not), the player may under penalty of one stroke:

a. Proceed under the stroke and distance provision of Rule 27-1 by playing a ball as nearly as possible at the spot from which the original ball was last played (see Rule 20-5); or

b. Drop 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 dropped, with no limit to how far behind the water hazard the ball may be dropped; or

c. As additional options available only if the ball last crossed the margin of alateral water hazard, drop a ball outside the water hazard within two club-lengths of and not nearer the hole than (i) the point where the original ball last crossed the margin of the water hazard or (ii) a point on the opposite margin of the water hazard equidistant from the hole.

When proceeding under this Rule, the player may lift and clean his ball orsubstitute a ball.