ball in pond & no drop zone ... where do you drop ?

[inthehole]

seems most courses have an established drop zone if you dump it in the drink ... but some don't.    I never know where to drop if I'm wet & there's no drop zone established ??  THX

[David in FL]

seems most courses have an established drop zone if you dump it in the drink ... but some don't.    I never know where to drop if I'm wet & there's no drop zone established ??  THX

Your options.... 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 the hazard, 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 a lateral 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.

[rogolf]

Your options....

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 the hazard, 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 a lateral 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.

Drop zones are normally established by local Rule as an additional option to those listed above.  Without such a local Rule, proceed under one of the applicable options listed.

[Fourputt]

seems most courses have an established drop zone if you dump it in the drink ... but some don't.    I never know where to drop if I'm wet & there's no drop zone established ??  THX

Actually most courses I'm familiar with don't have drop zones.  I've played a lot of courses over the last 40 years and can only remember a couple of drop zones, and those were special cases where the normal procedures didn't work very well.  I'd advise you to learn Rule 26-1 well if you plan to play very many courses.

[Martyn W]

seems most courses have an established drop zone if you dump it in the drink ... but some don't.    I never know where to drop if I'm wet & there's no drop zone established ??  THX

Others have posted the Rule. Maybe this will help you understand your options:

From a radio show I do for thegolfdirector.com

[David in FL]

Actually most courses I'm familiar with don't have drop zones .  I've played a lot of courses over the last 40 years and can only remember a couple of drop zones, and those were special cases where the normal procedures didn't work very well.  I'd advise you to learn Rule 26-1 well if you plan to play very many courses.

Me too. I play one course with an island green with a drop zone, but even on that course, there are 2 other par-3's that require you to carry significant WH's that do not. I just don't run into them that often.

[inthehole]

Thx guys - really appreciate it !