Inspired by the story of two golfers beating each other with clubs, this week’s rules school goes over what to do when confronted with casual water on the course.

Situation



Casual Water on the Course. Gary believes his ball is in casual water and wonders if he is allowed to move the ball.

Definition of Casual Water

Casual Water is defined as any temporary accumulation of water outside of a water hazard that is visible before or after the player takes his stance. A ball is in casual water when it lies in or any part of it touches the casual water. On the putting green, if casual water intervenes along the line of putt, the player would also be entitled to relief.

Solution

On the Course: Gary has interference from casual water and is allowed relief, where his options of relief are based on where the ball lies.

If the ball is ‘through the green’ – (by definition within the Rules of Golf, if an area of the golf course is not a hazard [i.e., a bunker or a water hazard], and is not the teeing ground or the putting green of the hole you are playing, it is ‘through the green’)—Gary would find the nearest location where he has relief from the area of casual water, not nearing the hole, and drop the ball within one club-length of that point.

Remember that even after the drop, the ball’s resting spot cannot be nearer to the hole. This may result in Gary moving from the rough to the fairway or vice versa and that is within the rules of golf.

On the Green: If the ball is on the putting green and Gary is in casual water, he would find the nearest point that is equidistant from the hole and not in a hazard that gives him relief and place the ball at that point. The point may be off the putting green and this too, is within the rules of golf.

In a Bunker: When the ball is in a bunker, things get a little more complicated. If Gary can find a place in the bunker that gives him complete relief, he would drop within one club-length from that point (yes, the ball may bury a little but you will need to play it as it lies).

If he is unable to find a point of complete relief, he would find the point that afforded him maximum relief and drop at that point. For example, if there was a place where he is standing in 1/8-inch deep water, but the ball would be on sand that wasn’t in casual water, that would be more relief than standing in ½-inch deep water with the ball in a small puddle. In this case, his ball is to be dropped on the point of maximum relief and not within the usual club-length.

If Gary looks at the area in a bunker where he is to drop the ball, but doesn’t like it, he can, before he drops the ball, decide on a different option. This option allows him to drop outside the bunker for a one-stroke penalty. He must drop the ball on the extension of the line that goes from the hole through the point in the bunker where his ball lay, going back as far as he would like.

Lastly, if Gary’s ball can be immediately recovered from the casual water, that ball must be retrieved and dropped. If for some reason his ball cannot be retrieved (the water is too deep and dangerous), he may substitute a ball with no penalty.

Hope that helps clarify the casual water question. Thank you for attending Kate’s Rule School. If you have any questions, comments or new ideas for the School of Rules, please feel free to leave a comment below!

‘keep smiling and always believe’