Bunker full of water

[benb1989]

Playing the other day and a few bunkers were full of water. The pro shop told us before we went out that if relief can't be taking I side the bunker then relief can be taken outside the bunker no nearer the hole so that wasn't an issue.

 

On a par 3 I hit my tee shot into the green side bunker. We all saw it go in and all saw it splash. When we go up there the bunker was completely full of water, you couldn't step in the bunker without water covering your foot. We could see the ball, in the middle of the bunker, Under water. We couldn't reach the ball, but couldn't identify it, however it was the only ball in there, and knew my ball had gone in. As it was a friendly round I just dropped a ball outside the bunker and carried on. What would the normal ruling be? As I couldn't retrieve the ball would it have to be classed as a lost ball? 

[Blueberry_Squishie]

Happy to be corrected by others, but if you're playing 100% by the rules the ball has to be identified; if not, you can't take free relief.

[Shapotomous]

You get your caddie to take off their shoes and socks and go in after the ball so it can be identified. 

If you don't have a caddie then since you all saw the splash you send in the guy that requires the ball to be identified for free relief!   

[DiscipleofPenick]

In the decade I spent caddying, if there was ever standing water in ANY bunker, it was free relief outside the bunker no closer to the hole.

And yes I was sent in to fish them out as @Shapotomous suggests

[fixyurdivot]

Free relief, no closer to the hole is what I recall.  For our casual play, we move balls out of any standing water or muddy areas inside the bunker as well; either to a dry area in the bunker or outside the bunker. 

[Headhammer]

Ya mean like this? Use your club to pull it out and drop no closer to the hole.

[benb1989]

Yes, although the ball couldn't be reached. Was smack bang in the middle of a massive bunker. 

We all knew it was my ball, we all saw it go in and it was the only ball in the bunker, just couldn't see the markings. I'll just aim well left of that bunker in club comps and hope to avoid it ,,

[Dutch Boy]

From USGA faq
https://www.usga.org/RulesFAQ/rules_answer2019.asp?FAQidx=205&Rule=0&Topic=3

[benb1989]

3 hours ago, Dutch Boy said:

From USGA faq
https://www.usga.org/RulesFAQ/rules_answer2019.asp?FAQidx=205&Rule=0&Topic=3

Thanks, my query is not so much about the relief I'm allowed. It's to do with the fact I couldn't retrieve my ball from the water in the bunker as it could not be reached. Am I allowed to take relief with another ball or do I need to wade in and get the ball. From the replies it would appear I need to somehow retrieve the ball 

[Dutch Boy]

4 hours ago, benb1989 said:

Thanks, my query is not so much about the relief I'm allowed. It's to do with the fact I couldn't retrieve my ball from the water in the bunker as it could not be reached. Am I allowed to take relief with another ball or do I need to wade in and get the ball. From the replies it would appear I need to somehow retrieve the ball 

Yes you always substitute another ball when taking relief. See rule 6.3b(1).

Haapy New Year everyone

[cnosil]

Falls under Rule 16.1e

e. Relief for Ball Not Found but in or on Abnormal Course Condition

If a player’s ball has not been found and it is known or virtually certain that the ball came to rest in or on an abnormal course condition on the course, the player may use this relief option instead of taking stroke-and-distance relief:

• The player may take relief under Rule 16.1b, c or d, using the estimated point where the ball last crossed the edge of the abnormal course condition on the course as the spot of the ball for purposes of finding the nearest point of complete relief.

• Once the player puts another ball in play to take relief in this way:

  • The original ball is no longer in play and must not be played.

  • This is true even if it is then found on the course before the end of the three-minute search time (see Rule 6.3b)

But if it is not known or virtually certain that the ball came to rest in or on an abnormal course condition and the ball is lost, the player must take stroke-and-distance relief under Rule 18.2.

 

Based on your statements,  it is know and virtually certain that the ball is in the abnormal course condition in the bunker.  As a result you now follow rule 16.1c

 

c. Relief for Your Ball in Bunker

If your ball is in a bunker and there is interference by an abnormal course condition on the course, you may take either:

• Free Relief: Under Rule 16.1b, except that:

  • The nearest point of complete relief and the relief area must be in the bunker.

  • If there is no such nearest point of complete relief in the bunker, you may still take this relief, by using the point of maximum available relief in the bunker as the reference point.

• Penalty Relief by Playing from Outside Bunker (Back-On-the-Line Relief): For one penalty stroke, you may drop a ball as shown in Diagram 16.1c.