Dear Linda,
What if the ball has passed over the hazard, is known or
virtually certain to be in the casual water, and is lost. I think that relief
in those circumstances is under 26 with a one-shot penalty.
Best wishes,
Lou from Holywood, Northern Ireland
Dear Lou,
If the casual water is overflow on the far side of the hazard, and the ball last crossed the edge of the casual water at a spot in the water hazard, there is no free relief. The player must proceed under the water hazard Rule with a one-shot penalty, just as you suggest [Rule 25-1c (iii)].
If the casual water is overflow on the near side of the hazard, and it is known or virtually certain that the ball is lost in casual water, the player is entitled to free relief [Rule 25-1c (i)]. He may substitute another ball and drop it within one club-length of the nearest point of relief that is no closer to the hole (not in a hazard or on a putting green). In seeking the nearest point of relief, the ball is considered to lie at the spot where it last crossed the edge of the casual water.
If the casual water is overflow on the near side of the hazard, and it is known or virtually certain that the ball is lost in casual water, the player is entitled to free relief [Rule 25-1c (i)]. He may substitute another ball and drop it within one club-length of the nearest point of relief that is no closer to the hole (not in a hazard or on a putting green). In seeking the nearest point of relief, the ball is considered to lie at the spot where it last crossed the edge of the casual water.
If it cannot be determined whether the ball is lost in the
hazard or the casual water, the player must proceed under the water hazard Rule
[Decision 1-4/7].
Linda
Copyright © 2013 Linda Miller. All rights reserved.
