Dear Linda
I hit the ball into the lateral water hazard on the right side of the fairway. A lot of trees interfered with my next shot. Can I use the dropping zone for the left side water hazard in this case?
What should be the committee wording for the local rule to use this dropping zone in practice?
Lou from Thailand
Dear Lou,
It is not unusual to find trees growing alongside a lateral
water hazard. Generally, the presence of trees would not be sufficient reason
to establish a Dropping Zone. If the trees are so close to the hazard margin that
a player using the two-club-length relief option cannot find a reasonable spot
to drop a ball, the Committee might want to include the trees in the hazard.
While it is not possible to tell from your diagram why the
Committee has established a Dropping Zone for the water hazard on the left, I
will assume there is a legitimate reason. Players who hit a ball into the
lateral hazard on the right are not entitled to use the Dropping Zone
established for the water hazard on the left. It is specific to the one hazard.
If a Committee wishes to establish one Dropping Zone for two
hazards (fairly uncommon), it would begin by indicating the location of both hazards.
If one of those hazards were lateral, the Committee should indicate which
section of the hazard has the option to use the Dropping Zone. Otherwise, a
player whose ball enters the hazard near the tee will have an unfair advantage
by using a Dropping Zone that is closer to the hole.
Dropping Zones for water hazards should only be provided
when it is not possible for a player to find relief under Rule 26. If at least
two relief options are available, there is no absolute need for a Dropping
Zone.
Linda
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