Obscure Rule Alert- Obscure Rule Alert- Obscure Rule Alert!
Scenario: A player's golf ball comes to rest a few feet outside of the stakes that are meant to define the boundary of a water hazard but is in some overflow water from the "hazard".
The player declares that he would like to take free relief and drop away from the condition for which he declares to be casual water. He does so, but did he violate a rule?
Answer: YES. According to The Decisions on the Rules of Golf regarding rule 26/2, the player was in violation. This decision puts the responsibility on the "committee" to mark the margin of the hazard. But if the water hazard extends beyond those markings, and your ball lies within, you are still considered to be within the natural boundaries of the hazard regardless of the markings.
Not a fun place to be, but it is the rule. Bad Water!!
Thomas Clooney, PGA
www.IslandwoodCountryClub.com
