Rules of Golf - Rule 26: Water Hazards (Including Lateral
Water Hazards)
26-1. Relief
for Ball in Water Hazard
It is a question of fact whether a ball lost after having been struck
toward a water hazard is lost inside or outside the hazard. In order to
treat the ball as lost in the hazard, there must be reasonable evidence
that the ball lodged in it. In the absence of such evidence, the ball
must be treated as a lost ball and Rule 27 applies.
If a ball is in or is lost in a water hazard (whether the ball lies in
water or not), the player may under penalty of one stroke:
a. Play 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.
The ball may be lifted and cleaned when proceeding under this Rule.
(Prohibited actions when ball is in hazard — see Rule 13-4.)
(Ball moving in water in a water hazard — see Rule 14-6.)
26-2. Ball
Played Within Water Hazard
a. Ball Comes to Rest in Same or Another Water Hazard
If a ball played from within a water hazard comes to rest in the same or
another water hazard after the stroke, the player may:
(i) proceed under Rule 26-1a. If, after dropping in the hazard, the
player elects not to play the dropped ball, he may:
(a) with reference to this hazard, proceed under Rule
26-1b, or if applicable Rule 26-1c, adding the additional penalty of one
stroke prescribed by that Rule; or
(b) add an additional penalty of one stroke and play a ball as nearly as
possible at the spot from which
the last stroke from outside a water hazard was made (see Rule 20-5); or
(ii) proceed under Rule 26-1b, or if applicable Rule 26-1c; or
(iii) under penalty of one stroke, play a ball as nearly as possible at
the spot from which the last stroke from outside a water hazard was made
(see Rule 20-5).
b. Ball Lost or Unplayable Outside Hazard or Out of Bounds
If a ball played from within a water hazard is lost or declared
unplayable outside the hazard or is out of bounds, the player may, after
taking a penalty of one stroke under Rule 27-1 or 28a:
(i) play a ball as nearly as possible at the spot in the hazard from
which the original ball was last played (see Rule 20-5); or
(ii) proceed under Rule 26-1b, or if applicable Rule 26-1c, adding the
additional penalty of one stroke prescribed by the Rule and using as the
reference point the point where the original ball last crossed the
margin of the hazard before it came to rest in the hazard; or
(iii) add an additional penalty of one stroke and play a ball as nearly
as possible at the spot from which the last stroke from outside the
hazard was made (see Rule 20-5).
Note 1: When proceeding under Rule 26-2b, the player is not required to
drop a ball under Rule 27-1 or 28a. If he does drop a ball, he is not
required to play it. He may alternatively proceed under Rule 26-2b(ii)
or (iii).
Note 2: If a ball played from within a water hazard is declared
unplayable outside the hazard, nothing in Rule 26-2b precludes the
player from proceeding under Rule 28b or c.
Penalty for Breach of Rule:
Match play — Loss of hole; Stroke play — Two strokes.
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