PAR 3 175. Hit a slice that sailed over part of land before going out towards water. I told my playing partners that i was entitled to a drop anywhere near the area where the ball sailed over OR re-tee OR drop area. Was I Correct? I dropped near land closest to green and I saved bogey with an Up And Down, but 1 individul kept complaining. Was I Right?

Par 3 150. Hit a shot that reached the rough of green and rolled back into water. I told playing partners that i saw it hit land and roll back. Entitled to drop where it landed and backwards toward water. was i correct?

The important fact missing is whether the water hazards were lateral water hazards (typically marked by red stakes or red lines) or just a water hazard (typically marked by yellow stakes or lines). A lateral water hazard allows as one of 4 options a drop within two club lengths of the point the ball last crossed the hazard line, no nearer the hole. A water hazard does not allow this option.

From your descriptions, the first situation sounds like a lateral hazard since you sliced and the water apparently was on the right side. In that situation you would mark the point where the ball last crossed from going over land to going over water and drop under a 1 stroke penalty with two club lengths, no nearer the hole.

The second situation sounds like a water hazard (not a lateral water hazard). Your ball went over the water and toward the green, hit the ground and rolled back into the water. The options there are re-tee with a penalty stroke, go to the drop area with a penalty stroke or mark the spot where the ball rolled in, go back to the far side of the water and then drop anywhere on the line formed by the hole/flag and the marked spot, 1 penalty stroke. Essentially, you have to hit it back over the water. You can not drop on the green side of the water hazard.

You should join the USGA as a member. Cost $25. You get a US Open hat, bag tag and a copy of the Rules of Golf.

Actually,

They are both lateral hazards. but I got your point. I do have a Rule Book but every time I try to read them, I feel like I need a degree in law to figure out exactly what it is saying.

Both par 3's have water ONLY on the right side. But the second one the water is only on the MIDDLE to RIGHT side of Green. left side is lateral hazard into trees.

Thank you!

tiddy75 wrote:

I do have a Rule Book but every time I try to read them, I feel like I need a degree in law to figure out exactly what it is saying.

I agree that the Rules of Golf as presented in the USGA rule book are not user friendly. I have been to a couple rules seminars put on by the Golf Association of Michigan. The woman who presents the seminar has a small rug with a miniature golf hole on it. She runs through all sorts of situations with a little ball demonstrating the proper places to drop, etc... Everything clicks when you see the rules demonstrated.

Just a tip here: get your hands on a DECISIONS BOOK concerning the rules of golf. About 2 inches thick, and chock full of 'just about' every scenario in the game. It is also fun reading all of the unique situations people have been in, because it is basically all about real situations where decisions had to be made.

No need to get a paper copy of The Decisions, there are excellent apps available for both, iPhone and Android that describe The Decisions. If you don't have a smartphone, check the R&A website here (I like the R&A website better than the USGA site for this purpose but you may think otherwise).

As for the sketched situation, you're talking about a drop area. That means the course must have a local rule that explains how to use it. Maybe it says you must use it, maybe it says you may use it.

Anyhow, read the rules carefully, they will make sense (part III of the rulebook). Be aware of the differences between "you may", "you must" or "you should". Make sure you read and understand the definitions (part II of the rulebook).

Ow,check out the website from Barry Rhodes (http://www.barryrhodes.com/) and if you want more, do subscribe to his weekly newsletter/e-mail. You'll learn a bunch from that!

Jev...I'm old fashioned...I like the old book in my hand to page through at my leisure, during breakfast, while lounging at the pool, or sitting on the throne. Fingering a phone just isn't the same !