Hitting a ball out of penalty area

[D-S]

I saw a Pro the other day playing a ball that was semi submerged in a lake, obviously a penalty area. He managed to get it out just onto the grass. However what could he have done had he just hit the ball deeper into the water? Where would he drop as the ball never left the penalty area there was no reference point where the ball had entered the penalty area and replaying the shot would have been impossible/foolhardy. Thanks.

 

[backwoodsman]

You can take relief in a similar manner to that of it being the first time the ball went into the PA. ie, you can drop outside the PA using the 'original' point of entry as your reference point. See rule 17.2

 

[rulie]

As above, if your ball is played from the penalty area and fails to exit that penalty area, you have all the same options available that you had before the stroke from within the penalty area. See Rule 17.2.

 

[salfordlad]

AKA "regression" - Rule 17 is the only one that permits it - basing going forward on what was not your most recent stroke.