Hi Linda,
Again, I need your help.
I was playing a par 4 and chunked my second shot. The
fairway is elevated so it's a blind shot to the green. But I knew
there is a creek crossing the fairway in front of the green.
Although I did not see my ball enter the hazard, the
ball was not in sight and there is nowhere for it to hide. No long grass, no
bushes, no trees.
I was virtually certain my ball was in the creek and so were
my opponents.
I took a penalty, dropped behind the hazard and hit onto the
green.
Two holes later, I was playing a fairway which runs
near the hole where I lost my ball. Lo and behold, I spotted my ball, which
included my distinctive marking.
I can only assume it hit one of the rocks in the hazard and
flew sideways to the adjoining fairway.
Now what? Penalty? DQ?
Thanks again for all your help
Lou from Ontario
Dear Lou,
When it is virtually certain that a ball is in a water
hazard, you are entitled to any of the relief options available in Rule 26-1
[Decision 26-1/3]. The fact that your original ball turned up later does not
change this. There is no penalty, no disqualification, no nothing. Pick up your
found ball and drop it in your bag.
Linda
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