Thanks, Linda.
Could you please explain no. 3 [see Ask Linda #99] in more detail, particularly about same distance on opposite side of the lateral hazard? I’ve heard of this but never seen it applied in practice. Are you supposed to imagine a string line from the pin to your ball and then move your ball in this arc to a point on the other side of the hazard (from which you then take a penalty drop within the 2 club-lengths)?
Cheers,
Lou Lou
Dear Lou Lou,
I couldn’t explain it better myself; your “imaginary string” solution is a very accurate description of how to correctly locate the spot on the opposite bank of a lateral hazard that is equidistant from the hole.
The occasions when you might want to drop on the opposite side are fairly rare; nevertheless, there are situations where such a drop would give you a better line to the hole. It can be helpful to understand and keep in mind all of your options when you are seeking relief from a lateral water hazard.
Lou, there are two excellent diagrams in the USGA Decisions on the Rules of Golf that you should review. The first (Decision 26-1/14) illustrates exactly what is meant by “opposite margin” of a lateral hazard, and the second (Decision 26-1/15) shows all of the relief options for a lateral hazard. I would recommend that all of my readers take a moment to review these diagrams; this is a relief option that is much better understood through pictures. Here is the link to copy and paste into your web browser:
http://www.usga.org/playing/rules/books/rules.html
Once you’re there, scroll down the Rules on the left side and click on Rule 26: Water Hazards (Including Lateral Water Hazards). Then scroll down Decisions on the lower right and click on 26-1/14.
If you have further questions after studying these diagrams, please send me a follow-up question.
Always nice to hear from one of my Australian subscribers, Lou.
Linda
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