Point of entry

Question
If you play a shot over water and hit the
Green then roll into the water again
Is point of entry where the ball rolls into
The water meaning you would take the
Drop on edge of the green or is point of
Entry where the ball first crosses the water
Before it hit the green

Answer
Hi Michael,

There is always the option of the "stroke and distance" , which in this case would be re-teeing.  This is an option on any water hazard, but usually is the worst of your choices.  Just because your ball made it all the way across the hazard or hit the ground on the other side, does not mean that you can drop on that side.  To find your proper drop location, determine the exact spot where the ball last crossed the hazard line. Then line that spot up with the flag stick.  Now you have a line extending from the flag stick, through the point your ball crossed the boundary of the water hazard.  You can take your drop anywhere on that line, as long as it is behind that point where the ball crossed the hazard.  There is no limit as to how far back you can go.  If you have a branch, a building, anything in your way, you can literally go backwards as far as you want and take your drop, as long as you stay on that line.  

This is assuming, of course that it is a regular water hazard and not a "lateral hazard."  Lateral hazards are typically water hazards that are towards the side of a hole.  Most of the time the are lakes, streams or creeks that run parallel to the hole.  The drop location is a little different in this case.  If your ball enters a lateral hazard, you can drop the ball within 2 club lengths of the point where the ball crossed the hazard, but you have the option of dropping on either side of the lateral hazard.  Re-playing the shot is an option from a lateral hazard as well. Water hazards are typically marked with yellow stakes or paint, and lateral hazards are almost always marked with red.  This is how you know where to take your drop.

Hope this helps.

Please visit my site, www.probablegolfinstruction.com

Best regards,
Ken Tannar