WATER HAZARDS

 

1. If your ball is in a water hazard (yellow stakes and/or lines), you may play the ball as it lies or, under penalty of one stroke:

 

-     replay the shot, or

-    drop any distance 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. (26-1 a,b)

 

2.  If your ball is in a lateral water hazard (red stakes and/or lines), you may proceed as above or, under penalty of one stroke, you may also drop within two club-lengths of, and not nearer the hole than:

 

-     the point where the ball last crossed the margin of the hazard, or

-    a point on the opposite side of the hazard equal distance from the hole. (26-1c)

 

 

LOST OR OUT OF BOUNDS

 

1.  If your ball may be lost outside a water hazard or out of bounds (white stakes), you may (and must play during Micro Tour events) a provisional ball before you go forward to look for the original, provided you announce your intention to do so. If your original ball turns out to be in a water hazard or is found outside a water hazard, you must abandon the provisional ball. (27-2)

 

2.  If your ball is lost outside a water hazard or is out of bounds, add one penalty stroke and play the provisional or, if you did not play a provisional, replay the shot. (27-1)

Micro Tour rules state that if you fail to play a provisional, you will take max if your ball is lost.

 

UNPLAYABLE

 

1. If you believe your ball is unplayable outside a water hazard, you may, under penalty of one stroke:

 

-    replay the shot, or

-    drop any distance behind the point where the ball lay (keeping the ball directly between the hole and the spot on which the ball is dropped, or

-    drop within two club-lengths of where the ball lies not nearer the hole.

 

2. If your ball is in a bunker you may proceed as above, except that, if you are dropping back on a line, or within two club-lengths, you must drop in the bunker if taking relief.

 

3. If you ball is in a water hazard, you must proceed under the water hazard Rule if taking relief. (28)

 

OBSTRUCTIONS

 

1.  Obstructions are by definition artificial (manmade) objects. Objects defining out of bounds such as fence posts or stakes and immovable artificial objects out of bounds are not obstructions.

 

2.  Movable obstructions (a rake) positioned anywhere may be moved without penalty. If your ball moves, replace it without penalty. (24-1)

 

3.  If an immovable obstruction (sprinkler head) interferes with the lie of the ball, your stance or swing, you may, except when your ball is in a water hazard, drop within one club-length of the nearest point of relief not nearer the hole. If the ball is in the bunker, it must be dropped in the bunker, or under penalty of one stroke, drop any distance behind the bunker. If the ball is on the putting green, it must be placed at the nearest point of relief. There is no relief for intervention on your line of play, unless your ball and the obstruction are on the green. (24-2)

 

4.  If your ball is lost in a movable or an immovable obstruction (except when the entrance is in a water hazard) take the same relief based on the point where the ball entered the obstruction. (24-3)

 

 

ABNORMAL GROUND CONDITIONS

 

 

1.  If your ball is in a position where you have interference from an abnormal ground condition (casual water, ground under repair, a hole, cast or runway made by a burrowing animal) you may drop without penalty within one club length of the nearest point of relief not nearer the hole. If the ball is in the bunker, it must be dropped in the bunker, or under penalty of one stroke, drop any distance behind the bunker. If you cannot take complete relief, in the bunker you may drop the ball at the nearest position in the bunker not nearer the hole that gives maximum available relief. If the ball is on the putting green, it must be placed at the nearest point of relief.

 

2.  If your ball is lost in an abnormal ground condition (except in a water hazard), take the same relief based on the point where the ball entered the area. (25-1c)