Casual Water Question

[PhilTheFragger]

Played at the Buckinghamshire today, (lovely course) and because of the recent wet weather some of the water features had expanded beyond their normal size.

So a ball goes into the pond, but it is outside the stakes that mark the water, therefore it is casual water, free drop, not nearer the hole , nearest point of relief etc.

I have 2 questions.
1, what if you can see the ball, but cannot retrieve it as the water is too deep
2 What if you know the ball is in the casual water, but cannot locate it.

Both these happened today (not to me ) and both times we agreed that a free drop was appropriate

Were we right?

 

[Spuddy]

Yes, it comes under 'ball lost in abnormal ground conditions'

 

[Colin L]

Rule 25-1c is your reference.

To establish the nearest point of relief when your ball cannot be seen , the ball is deemed to lie at the point where it last crossed the margin of the casual water.

 

[rosecott]

2 What if you know the ball is in the casual water, but cannot locate it.

How did you know it was in the casual water and not in the water hazard?

 

[atticusfinch]

That is a question of fact that will depend on various factors in each case. For purposes of hypotheticals stated facts should be taken as true.

 

[Spuddy]

I've been looking more into this and it appears that a ball lost in an overflow should be deemed to be lost in the hazard. Decision 1-4/7 says

Q.A ball is lost. It is either in a water hazard or in casual water overflowing the hazard. What is the proper procedure?

A.In equity (Rule 1-4), the player must proceed under the water hazard Rule.

 

[PhilTheFragger]

How did you know it was in the casual water and not in the water hazard?

Because a 20 yard wide water spur ran into a hollow in the middle of the fairway, nowhere near the hazard, we all saw the splash

 

[Spuddy]

I've been looking more into this and it appears that a ball lost in an overflow should be deemed to be lost in the hazard. Decision 1-4/7 says

On second thoughts, this decision refers to a situation where you're not sure if it the ball is in the hazard or the overflow.

 

[Colin L]

On second thoughts, this decision refers to a situation where you're not sure if it the ball is in the hazard or the overflow.

That's correct. Phil describes a situation where it was known that the ball was in casual water and so the player was entitled to take relief.

 

[JCW]

Very interesting , learn something today