Linda,
I'm playing in a team match play. I punch out of some trees
and go into a dry lateral hazard. I proceed to hit into the water directly in
front of me. I claimed I could take a lateral drop from where the ball originally
crossed the hazard. My opponent said no, I had to hit from the same spot in the
hazard. Is that correct?
Lou from California
Dear Lou,
Your opponent is incorrect. If you opt for the
two-club-length relief from a lateral water hazard, the reference point for
relief is the point where the original ball last crossed the hazard. Please
read Rule 26-2a (ii). Actually, I would recommend reading all of Rule 26-2a.
This Rule will give you every relief option available when you play your ball
in a hazard and hit it further into the hazard or into another hazard.
You are permitted
to drop a ball at the spot in the hazard where the original was last played
(under penalty of one stroke), but it is only one of several relief choices. It
is not a requirement.
Linda
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