By David Horne on 4/19/13

Last weekend's Masters was a huge win for golf fans. It was an exciting tournament with a great finish, and wonderful drama. We saw the grit of Adam Scott and Angel Cabrera, were awed by Guan Tianlang and heartbroken with Brandt Snedeker.

One of the more interesting stories on Friday came from Tiger Woods. He was a penalized for taking an improper drop on hole 15. We're not going to go there but if you'd like to check out the shenanigans, click here. However, we are going to talk about what options players have in relief from a water hazard.

There are two types of water hazards you'll face on the course, regular water hazards and lateral water hazards. You've probably noticed red stakes and lines, and yellow stakes and lines on the course. Well, I know you've never hit the ball in there, but you've seen them right?

If you find your ball, er... I mean your playing partner's ball in the water, the player may incur a one stroke penalty. Here are the player's options:

1. Under the stroke and distance provision(rule 27-1), you can play the ball as near as possible to the spot where the original shot was played (rule 20-5).


2. You can drop the ball behind the water hazard, keeping the point where the original ball last crossed the hazard staying directly between the hole and the point it crossed, going back as far behind the hazard as you want, the ball may be dropped.


3. Additionally, if your ball finds a lateral water hazard, you can drop outside the hazard at the point the original ball last crossed, or the point on the opposite margin, within two-club lengths no closer to the hole.

Now, if you are brave and feeling dangerous, you can always play the ball within the water hazard without penalty like this or this.

Here's a link to the USGA's Rule 26.

Fine, we are going to go there. Let's clear up where Tiger's two-stroke penalty came from. He incurred the penalty due to an improper drop. As we discussed in option "1", Tiger was supposed to play the ball from a spot nearest to where the original shot was played. When Tiger took his drop, it wasn't as close in proximity as the rule allows.

Media outlets wouldn't let the penalty end there however, as many arguments called for his disqualification. This seemed like nothing more than a ratings play. Tiger's DQ was hedged by Rule 33-7, which enables the committee waive disqualification. This decision was instituted by the PGA Tour in 2011. Case closed. We're just thankful the event will be remembered for two incredible performances down the stretch from two great champions.


Have a rules question? Ask David in the comments section below.


Image via Flickr, chebbs