By Sarah Bidney
So you hit into the water, doh! It’s bad enough you usually lose your ball, then you have to take a one stroke penalty (if playing by the rules) and then explore your options to take relief. Depending on the type of water hazard (water hazard vs lateral water hazard) you have 2 to 4 options for relief. Here’s a recap for a water hazard, marked with yellow stakes or lines:
1. Taking the point where the ball last crossed the margin of the hazard, in line with the flagstick, drop as far back as you like (staying on the course) on that line.
2. Hit from where you last hit
I usually try to drop in line with the flagstick – quite often re-hitting from the previous spot leaves you further back from the water with a chance you may hit in again!
Now the point of this article will be revealed. Here are your relief options for a lateral water hazard, marked with red stakes or lines – the first two will sound familiar:
1. Taking the point where the ball last crossed the margin of the hazard, in line with the flagstick, you may drop as far back as you like (staying on the course) on that line. (Drop option 1)
2. Hit from where you last hit
3. Taking the point where your ball last crossed the margin of the hazard, you may drop within two club lengths, no closer to the hole. (Drop option 2)
The 4th option is the lesser known dropping option:
4. Taking a point on the opposite margin of the hazard, equidistant from the hole, you may drop within two club lengths, no closer to the hole. (Drop option 3)
You can cross over to the other side of the hazard and drop!!! Really, you can as long as you don’t go closer to the hole. So, why know this? Say there’s a tree in your 2 club length drop area on one side of the hazard. Going over to the other side may give you a clear shot to the green! Awesome.
Go forth and drop on the opposite of the hazard – if it’s to your advantage.
The Grass is Greenest in Your Own Fairway… Let’s work to find it more often!
Sarah Bidney, PGA
2010 & 2012 Iowa PGA Teaching Professional of the Year
2012, 2013 & 2014 GRAA Top 50 Growth of the Game Teaching Professional
[email protected]
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