Is this a stroke? Options

[albatross]

My dad's home course has several holes that have drainage type ditches and generally really wet spots.

On some of the holes your ball will come to rest in water, in a ditch that is not marked on the card as a hazard or by any type of stake or line.

Is this casual water because it's not marked as a hazard?? Is it a stroke to remove your ball to nearest relief from the water?

What's the correct ruling here assuming there isn't a local rule?

[BugsyinNC]

Casual water, free drop.

[jjj912]

My dad's home course has several holes that have drainage type ditches and generally really wet spots.

On some of the holes your ball will come to rest in water, in a ditch that is not marked on the card as a hazard or by any type of stake or line.

Is this casual water because it's not marked as a hazard?? Is it a stroke to remove your ball to nearest relief from the water?

What's the correct ruling here assuming there isn't a local rule?

Those drainage ditches are water hazards and you must take a penalty stroke if you take relief. The lack of stakes or lines defining the hazard does not alter the situation. See Decisions 26/2 and 26/3.

Water Hazard
A "water hazard" is any sea, lake, pond, river, ditch, surface drainage ditch or other open water course (whether or not containing water) and anything of a similar nature on the course . All ground and water within the margin of a water hazard are part of the water hazard. ...

Casual Water
"Casual water" is any temporary accumulation of water on the course that is not in a water hazard and is visible before or after the player takes his stance. Snow and natural ice, other than frost, are either casual water or loose impediments, at the option of the player. Manufactured ice is an obstruction. Dew and frost are not casual water. ...

[BugsyinNC]

You are correct, I misread the OP.

[xxio]

Are the ditches marked?

You may want to bring it up with the local committee just to avoid any confusion and to provide correct markings.