a) Ball comes to rest in the same or another water hazard
If a ball played inside a water hazard comes to rest after a stroke in the same or another water hazard, the player may
(I) proceed in accordance with Rule 26-1a. If, after dropping the ball in the hazard, the player decides not to play the dropped ball, he may:
(a) proceed under Rule 26-1b or, if applicable, Rule 26-1c, adding the additional penalty stroke prescribed by the rule, using as a reference point the point at which the original ball last crossed the boundary of that hazard before coming to rest in that hazard; or
(b) add an additional penalty stroke and play a ball as close as possible to the place where the last stroke was played from outside a water hazard (see Rule 20-5); or
(II) proceed in accordance with Rule 26-1b or, if applicable, Rule 26-1c; or
(III) play a ball in the water with a penalty stroke as close as possible to the place where the last stroke was played from outside the water hazard (see Rule 20-5).
b) Ball lost or unplayable outside the hazard or ball out of bounds
If a ball played inside a water hazard is lost or deemed unplayable outside the hazard or is out of bounds , the player may, after incurring the penalty of a stroke under Rule 27-1 or 28a,
(I) play a ball as close as possible to the spot in the hazard where the original ball was last played (see Rule 20-5); or
(II) proceed in accordance with Rule 26-1b or, if applicable, Rule 26-1c, adding the penalty stroke prescribed therein and taking as a reference point the point at which the original ball last crossed the boundary of the hazard before coming to rest in it; or
(III) add an additional penalty stroke and play a ball as close as possible to the point where the last stroke was played outside a water hazard (see Rule 20-5).
Note 1: In the procedure under Rule 26-2b, the player is not obliged to drop a ball under Rule 27-1 or 28a. If he drops a ball, he is not obliged to play it. He may choose to proceed under Rule 26-2b(II) or (III).
Note 2: If a ball played from inside a water hazard is deemed unplayable outside the hazard, Rule 26-2b does not prevent the player from proceeding under Rule 28b or Rule 28c.
PENALTY FOR BREACH OF RULES:
Hole play - Hole loss; Counting play - Two strokes.
Status: 2018