Hi just a quick question on the rules.

I played today with a good friend and unfortunately i stood on my ball while looking for it.So i had a 2 shot penalty.With great amusment from my playing partners.

One of the other guys has just played in to a lateral water hazzard marked by yellow markers.At the moment we have no water in this hazzard.The chap then proceeds to take his clubs in the hazzard parks his clubs up and takes out his club.

Now i always thought that you couldnt take your equipment into a hazzard as this would deem a penalty.I thought the whole idea of a hazzard was that you couldnt ground your club but taking your buggy into the hazzard doesnt this apply?

This was a fun round and no upset from any party but would be interested if a rule was broken.

Cheers

Mike

see exception #1. Hope this helps.



13-4. Ball in Hazard; Prohibited ActionsExcept as provided in the Rules, before making a stroke at a ball that is in a hazard (whether a bunker or a water hazard) or that, having been lifted from a hazard, may be dropped or placed in the hazard, the player must not:

a. Test the condition of the hazard or any similar hazard;

b. Touch the ground in the hazard or water in the water hazard with his hand or a club; or

c. Touch or move a loose impediment lying in or touching the hazard.

Exceptions:

1. Provided nothing is done that constitutes testing the condition of the hazard or improves the lie of the ball, there is no penalty if the player (a) touches the ground or loose impediments in any hazard or water in a water hazard as a result of or to prevent falling, in removing an obstruction, in measuring or in marking the position of, retrieving, lifting, placing or replacing a ball under any Rule or
(b) places his clubs in a hazard.

2. After making the stroke, if the ball is still in the hazard or has been lifted from the hazard and may be dropped or placed in the hazard, the player may smooth sand or soil in the hazard, provided nothing is done to breach Rule 13-2 with respect to his next stroke. If the ball is outside the hazard after the stroke, the player may smooth sand or soil in the hazard without restriction.

3. If the player makes a stroke from a hazard and the ball comes to rest in another hazard, Rule 13-4a does not apply to any subsequent actions taken in the hazard from which the stroke was made.

Note: At any time, including at address or in the backward movement for the stroke, the player may touch, with a club or otherwise, any obstruction, any construction declared by the Committee to be an integral part of the course or any grass, bush, tree or other growing thing.

Penalty For Breach of Rule:
Match play - Loss of hole; Stroke play - Two strokes

Aren't all lateral hazards marked in red?

yellow is a water hazard...lateral is red.

However one can play out of a hazard should they choose. (see post above).
I believe the only time one does not have the option to play their ball is for OB and Enviormentally sensitive areas marked with stakes.

Even if your friend's ball was submerged under water he is allowed to swing at it and try to play it....

hope that helps.

Oh and new rules for 2008 is that one should properly identify their ball in a hazard as they is now a penalty for playing wrong ball from hazard.