1. On par 3, hit tee shot past the green and into the woods--ball is definitely lost. Only correct move is to re-tee and hit my third shot, right? If I miraculously found the ball, I still would either have to play it, drop within 2 club lengths for penalty, or re-tee and hit my third shot, right?

2. On par 3, hit tee shot into WATER beyond green. No drop zone is defined. Not a lateral hazard. Could I drop at the water's edge and chip my third shot on?

Thanks for your help on this.

Warning: I am what is known on this site as a "Rules Snob". We "Snobs" know just enough about the Rules to blather on about almost any point, often incorrectly.

1. I believe your analysis is correct on this one providing you indicated your 2nd effort was a provisional.
2. In this scenario it would depend upon whether the pond was marked as a water hazard (yellow stakes or lines) or a lateral water hazard (red stakes or lines). Judging from the description, it is a water hazard and the correct place to drop is on the opposite side (which may not be reasonable). If it were marked as a lateral and you could drop no nearer the hole within 2 club lengths, then dropping on the edge is a viable option.

Think about the 7th hole at Pebble Beach (the tiny little par 3). If you over shoot the green, the nearest drop point is Japan.

bkuehn1952 wrote:

Think about the 7th hole at Pebble Beach (the tiny little par 3). If you over shoot the green, the nearest drop point is Japan.

And if you use google for directions, it's kinda funny.

Warning, "walking directions are in beta"...

Google maps step 406: "Kayak across Pacific Ocean."

bkuehn, thanks for the tip. Makes sense, but also means I played my last round with a questionable drop. Won't do it again--I swear.

Geoffre14 wrote:

bkuehn, thanks for the tip. Makes sense, but also means I played my last round with a questionable drop. Won't do it again--I swear.

We "Snobs" have also given ourselves the right to absolve others who may have transgressed against the Rules of Golf.

I hereby absolve you for any past transgressions. Go forth, Geoffre14, and sin against the Rules no more!

[quote="bkuehn1952"]Warning: I am what is known on this site as a "Rules Snob". We "Snobs" know just enough about the Rules to blather on about almost any point, often incorrectly.

1. I believe your analysis is correct on this one providing you indicated your 2nd effort was a provisional.
2. In this scenario it would depend upon whether the pond was marked as a water hazard (yellow stakes or lines) or a lateral water hazard (red stakes or lines). Judging from the description, it is a water hazard and the correct place to drop is on the opposite side (which may not be reasonable). If it were marked as a lateral and you could drop no nearer the hole within 2 club lengths, then dropping on the edge is a viable option.

Think about the 7th hole at Pebble Beach (the tiny little par 3). If you over shoot the green, the nearest drop point is Japan

True.Bubba would need a 2iron from there for sure.

Geoffre14 wrote:

1. On par 3, hit tee shot past the green and into the woods--ball is definitely lost. Only correct move is to re-tee and hit my third shot, right?

Right

Quote:

If I miraculously found the ball, I still would either have to play it, drop within 2 club lengths for penalty, or re-tee and hit my third shot, right?

Your original is now just a stray ball. Pick it up and put it in your pocket. If you played it you would have played a wrong ball with a 2 stroke penalty. If you do not correct it by playing the second ball you would get a DQ.

Quote:

2. On par 3, hit tee shot into WATER beyond green. No drop zone is defined. Not a lateral hazard. Could I drop at the water's edge and chip my third shot on?

You must either play from the tee again or drop on the far side of the water hazard on a line from the hole through the point where the ball last crossed the margin of the WH (ie on the far side from the hole) as far way as you like. Both options with a penalty stroke.

rulesman, true to his title...

bkuehn1952 wrote:

1. I believe your analysis is correct on this one providing you indicated your 2nd effort was a provisional.

Be careful with this.

If you declare your second ball to be a provisional, and then you find the first ball, you must play the first ball. If you find your first ball and determine that it is unplayable with no place to drop for relief, you must go back to the tee to hit again because your provisional is no longer in play.