Rule 26. Water Hazards
(Including Lateral Water Hazards)
Definitions
All defined terms are in italics and are listed alphabetically in
the Definitions section — see pages 5-18.
26-1. Relief for Ball in Water Hazard
It is a question of fact whether a ball that has not been found
after having been struck toward a water hazard is in the hazard.
In order to apply this Rule, it must be known or virtually certain
that the ball is in the hazard. In the absence of such knowledge
or certainty, the player must proceed under Rule 27-1.
If a ball is in a water hazard or if it is known or virtually certain
that a ball that has not been found is 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.
When proceeding under this Rule, the player may lift and
clean his ball or substitute a ball.
(Prohibited actions when ball is in hazard — see Rule 13-4.)
(Ball moving in water in a water hazard — see Rule 14-6.)
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26-2. Ball Played Within Water Hazard
g 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) 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 this
hazard before it came to rest in this hazard; 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).
g b. Ball Lost or Unplayable Outside Hazard or Out of
Bounds
If a ball played from within a water hazard is lost or deemed
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
Rule 26 79
last stroke from outside a water 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 deemed
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.
