Water Filled Bunkers - Again!

[mikejohnchapman]

Can you loose a ball in a water filled bunker?

Several of ours were flooded following the recent heavy rain and a ball was hit into one. It was "known or virtually certain" it went in (big splash) but due to the depth of the water we couldn't find the ball.

There was a place in the bunker where a ball could be dropped but was it correct to use a drop with a substituted ball or have to play it was if it were a lost ball?

 

[backwoodsman]

Its casual water so an abnormal ground condition. You can substitute a ball and proceed with relief as for AGC, but use the the point of where it last crossed the margin of the AGC as your point of reference (as opposed the position of the ball). Therefore, if there's space in the bunker, you drop in the bunker. See rule 25/1c (ii)

 

[mikejohnchapman]

Its casual water so an abnormal ground condition. You can substitute a ball and proceed with relief as for AGC, but use the the point of where it last crossed the margin of the AGC as your point of reference (as opposed the position of the ball). Therefore, if there's space in the bunker, you drop in the bunker. See rule 25/1c (ii)

OK but presumably if it's completely full and you can't find the ball you drop behind under penalty?

 

[pogle]

If you're taking relief from casual water (or any abnormal ground condition) in a bunker, you always have the option of dropping outside the bunker under penalty of one stroke. It isn't necessary for the bunker to be completely filled to proceed under this option.

 

[rulefan]

Therefore, if there's space in the bunker, you drop in the bunker.

if there's space in the bunker not nearer the hole, you drop in the bunker.

 

[backwoodsman]

if there's space in the bunker not nearer the hole, you drop in the bunker.

Indeed. I was using shorthand and making the assumption that people would know "not nearer" (but then, I know one should never use shorthand when discussing rules )

 

[rulefan]

:cheers:

 

[mikejohnchapman]

Ok just to be clear then - if you can't find your ball in a water filled bunker you can drop a substitute ball not nearer the hole in the bunker without penalty.

If you can't find your ball in a water filled bunker and there is nowhere to drop in the bunker you take a penalty drop keeping the bunker between you and the flag (not at the point it entered the bunker no nearer the hole).

In either case it must be known or virtually certain the ball entered the bunker otherwise it's a normal lost ball situation.

 

[rulefan]

If you can't find your ball in a water filled bunker and there is nowhere to drop in the bunker you take a penalty drop keeping the bunker between you and the flag (not at the point it entered the bunker no nearer the hole).

...... , the spot where the ball last crossed the outermost limits of the abnormal ground condition must be determined and, for the purpose of applying this Rule, the ball is deemed to lie at this spot ....

 

[atticusfinch]

Assume nothing.