Lost Ball or in the Hazard???

[Foozer Scott]

The other evening I teed off on a par four over water. Hooked the ball and it solidly hit a big tree. No one saw where it deflected to. It could have come back about 30 yards into the water but pretty sure it did not as we would have seen the splash. It probably bounced left 10 yards into a wooded area that is marked as a lateral hazard with red stakes. We decided to play it as if it went into the lateral hazard since we could not find it in the rough or fareway. I am thinking that it should have been played as a lost ball from the tee again. Could one of you rules experts please answer what the correct call is. Thank you.

[iacas]

Virtual certainty is required. Sounds like you didn't have it.

The ball was lost.

[HonestyPolicy]

http://www.usga.org/rules/rules-and-decisions.html#!decision-26

As iacas says it is likely that it should have been played as a lost ball because, as you explain it, it does not seem to meet the definition of it being virtually certain to be in the lateral hazzard. One other suggestion is that when you are on the tee and you hit a tree near two hazzards and no one saw where it went, you should consider hitting a provisional ball from the tee to speed play. Your buddies might have agree to a drop from the lateral hazzard just to speed play. Above link is to rule 26 explaining the term "virtual certainty".

[bkuehn1952]

On ‎8‎/‎13‎/‎2018 at 9:39 PM, Foozer Scott said:

...I am thinking that it should have been played as a lost ball from the tee again.

You are correct.  You have a decent understanding of the Rules.  Good job.