Water Hazard Bordered by an unfenced backyard

[turtleback]

Yes, I would agree if the boundary were marked. Since it was not marked in the scenario presented by the OP, then it would not be "beyond the boundaries".

The boundary is where the boundary is, regardless of whether it is marked, so I think your conclusion is unwarranted.  If the ball is sitting in the middle of someone's lawn, I do not need OB markers or a property line to know that I have left the boundaries of the course.

[DrvFrShow]

Still if I'm sitting in my yard and you come over and say "did you see a ball come in here?" "Maybe, now get off my lawn."

Law of the land trumps the rules of golf. Your ball is off the course  and on private property, and hence out of bounds. Stop arguing. You'll lose. I won't let you hit the ball from my property for liability reasons.

[Hardluckster]

The boundary is where the boundary is, regardless of whether it is marked, so I think your conclusion is unwarranted.  If the ball is sitting in the middle of someone's lawn, I do not need OB markers or a property line to know that I have left the boundaries of the course.

After reading your statement and then my statement again, I agree with you. The boundary exists, from a legal standpoint, and is documented somewhere (local courthouse records, local survey maps, etc) The boundary is not marked, however, according to the rules of golf - at least in my opinion. That said, I stand by my statement that a committee that penalizes any player for hitting from that spot does so without validation, according to the RoG. I could be wrong, and my wife will tell you that happens quite often, but nothing I have found, or read here, changes my view of this situation. Have a great day. :-)

[Hardluckster]

If I owned that property, white stakes would mark my property line whether the course placed them or not. :-)