lost ball water hazard

[daveindales]

my mate lost a ball in a very large yellow staked water hazard. The whole water hazard was dry at the time. Ball was actually lost within deep grass in the hazard. I know the rules regarding penalty drop outside the hazard. However, he asked me if it was ok to take a penalty drop within the hazard, as it was so much closer to the hole. (Short par 3, with the hazard virtually from tee to green.). Must the penalty drop be taken out of the hazard?  

[6Aces]

Yes.  Rule 26-2a indicates that the ball must be played from outside the hazard.  Further, if the player actually drops and plays from the hazard, he is playing from a wrong place and will incur a penalty of two strokes for that and a further penalty of 1 stroke for taking relief from the water hazard.  This assumes that no serious breach has occurred. See Decision 20-7/2

Edited September 4, 2017 by 6Aces