Red Penalty areas - which side to drop?

[backwoodsman]

Under the 2019 rules, the options for dropping from a red penalty area are S&D, back-on-line, or 2club-length from where ball last crossed the margin. (I paraphrase). The previous option of "opposite side, equidistant from hole" was dropped (Ignore, for now, the model LR).

We have some lateral drainage ditches and at times, you can see that the ball is going to land very close to one - but not actually see it land. You arrive to find ball in ditch but have no real idea whether it landed left of ditch & bounced right , or landed right & bounced left. The terrain means either is quite possible. So how should the player decide which side is correct, if trying to use the 2club-length option? (Main reason for asking is that while either side would be a pretty crap drop, one side is a bit crapper than the other).

Would it make it any easier if the Committee invoked the local rule on that hole?

 

[Colin L]

I'd suggest that in the absence of knowledge of what happened, players should assume that their ball went into the ditch on the side from which it was played. If with hindsight, that proved to be wrong, the player is in the clear provided they have done their best to get it right. Using the Local Rule would mean, however, no-one was ever wrong and there could never be any arguments. It makes sense to use it.

 

[salfordlad]

Would it make it any easier if the Committee invoked the local rule on that hole?

It would undoubtedly simplify things and could assist pace of play. What's not to like?