Linda–
A player’s ball, from the tee box, lands in a yellow stake hazard. It appears that the ball is playable but after taking a stroke, the ball advances around six inches and buries under more leaves and debris becoming unplayable. What are the options at that point and what are the penalty strokes? Curious Lou.
Dear Lou,
The options are explained in Rule 26-2. Here are your choices, all of which will add a one-stroke penalty to your score:
1. Drop a ball in the hazard where the first stroke from within the hazard was made.
2. Drop a ball behind the hazard on the extended line that starts at the hole and runs through the point where the ball last crossed the margin of the hazard.
3. If this was a lateral hazard, drop a ball outside the hazard, not nearer the hole, within two club-lengths of where the ball last crossed the margin of the hazard. You may drop on the other side of the hazard at a point that is equidistant from the hole.
4. Play a ball from the spot where the last stroke outside the hazard was made. If it was your tee shot, the ball may be re-teed. Elsewhere you must drop it.
I would not recommend choice #1. If you drop in the hazard, and then decide not to play the ball, you may proceed under any of the other options, but you will have to add a second penalty stroke to your score.
Linda
Copyright © 2012 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.
