Where do I drop?Q: A par 3 where I play has a forced carry over water. If the ball hit lands on the opposite side of the water hazard, but rolls back into the water, where should the next shot be played from? We’ve had many disagreements over this. I say you have not carried the water hazard and must drop behind it.
A: From the way you are describing the par 3, it sounds like it is marked with yellow paint or stakes. If that is the case, it is a water hazard. You have three relief options when you hit your ball into a water hazard, they can be found in Rule #26. (Water Hazards)
1. Play it as it lies (no penalty)
2. Stroke and Distance (1 stroke penalty)
3. Drop a ball behind the hazard keeping in line the flagstick and point where the ball last crossed the margin of the hazard (1 stroke penalty)
You are correct when you said the ball did not carry the water hazard. The point you are looking for is where the ball last crossed the hazard line. If your shot carried the hazard line and rolled back in, use that point for option 3 above. If your shot did not carry the hazard line on the green side, you will have to use the last point where it crossed on your side of the water. Either way, you have to drop the ball behind the hazard in line with the flagstick and where the ball last crossed. Unless you want to hit the ball from in the water, you will have to hit another ball over the water.
