How to play good golf in a water hazard

By the Albatross

A water hazard is any sea, lake, pond, river, ditch, surface drainage ditch or other open water course, whether or not containing water, and anything of a similar nature on the golf course. 

All ground and water within the margin of a water hazard are part of the water hazard.  When the margin of a water hazard is defined by stakes, the stakes are inside the water hazard, and the margin of the hazard is defined by the nearest outside points of the stakes at ground level. 

When both stakes and lines are used to indicate a water hazard, the stakes identify the hazard and the lines define the margin of the hazard.  When the margin of a water hazard is defined by a line on the ground, the line itself is in the water hazard.  The margin of a water hazard extends vertically upwards and downwards.

A ball is in a water hazard when it lies in or any part of it touches the water hazard.

Stakes used to define the margin of or identify a water hazard are obstructions.

A water hazard is any area so defined, and marked out by the Golf Committee, whether or not it contains water.

Stakes or lines used to define the margin of or identify a water hazard must be yellow.

When a ball lies in a water hazard without water, it may be possible to play the ball from inside the water hazard but always remember that the ball is in a hazard and the rules governing play in the hazard apply.

That is to say the prohibitions listed in Golf Rule 13-4 apply. 

Golf Rule 13-4 stipulates that except as provided in the Rules, before making a stroke at a ball in a hazard, whether a bunker or a water hazard, or a ball that, having been lifted from a hazard, may be dropped or placed in the hazard, the player must not: a) Test the condition of the hazard or similar hazard; b) Touch the ground in the hazard or water in the water hazard with his hand or club; or c) Touch or move a loose impediment lying in or touching the hazard.  So be warned.  Remember not to ground your club as long as your ball lies in the water hazard.

Where the water hazard is only partially filled with water, remember that the area defined as the water hazard is marked off by either stakes or lines but not by the margin of the water!  So if your ball lies between the edge of the water and the stakes or the line defining the water hazard, the ball is in the water hazard and you could infringe Golf Rule 13-4 if you ground your club or commit any of the other prohibited infractions.  Do not go fishing out your ball with your club.

You are not required to play that same ball.  You may drop a ball in accordance with the relief accorded by Golf Rule 26-1.

When the water hazard is a large water expanse, a lake or sea, the player might never recover his original ball and the process of relief is laid down in Golf Rule 26-1.

It is a question of fact whether a ball that has been struck towards a water hazard, and has not been found, may be lost in the water hazard.  But in order to proceed under the relief accorded by Golf Rule 26-1, it must be known or virtually certain that the ball is in the hazard and in the absence of such certainty, the player must proceed under Rule 27-1, covering stroke and distance, for a ball that may be lost outside a water hazard.

The following relief, under a one stroke penalty, is available for a ball that is lost in a water hazard:  a) Play a ball as nearly as possible at the last spot from which the original ball was last played; 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 as to how far behind the water hazard the ball may be dropped.

It is not a requirement of the Rules that the original ball must be found. 

So why do you risk a two strokes penalty by going fishing for your ball in that water hazard?