lost ball in a lateral hazard (red stakes)

Question
QUESTION: I was reading your answer answer to options when ball is in a lateral hazard. The arguement I have with my buddies is that even though it went into a lateral hazard you have to locate the ball or it would be considered lost and played under stroke and distance from where it was originally played. Is this correct? This sinario is not for a lateral water hazard but a bushy area. Thanks

ANSWER: Hi Vance,

As long as your playing partners agree that the ball likely went into the hazard, you don't need to find the ball. It is not considered lost. It is considered in the hazard and not retrievable. So as long as the "bushy area" is in the hazard, you can play according to the rule of hitting into the hazard with a penalty of 1 stroke.

Hope this helps.

Ken

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Yes thanks, this helps but why then have I seen on TV players search for their ball for the 5 minutes allowed, can't find it and are made to return to the tee to hit their then 3rd shot. If the ball was OB they wouldn't need to be searching and if it was in a lateral hazard which it was wouldn't they get two club lengths no closer to the hole from where it entered or anywhere on a line from entry point back towards where it was hit from? Thanks again

Answer
Hi Vance,

They would be looking for the ball if it could not be clearly determined that it went into the hazard. The group needs to agree that it went into the hazard. Especially on the tour, each player is playing the  rest of the field of players. One player cannot have an advantage over others (such as the group saying, "it may have gone int he hazard, so play it that way."). It has to be clear that the ball went into the hazard, or, it's played as a lost ball.

See the rules here:
http://www.usga.org/Rule-Books/Rules-of-Golf/Rule-26/

26-1. Relief for Ball in Water Hazard
It is a question of fact whether a ball that has not been found after having been struck toward a water hazard is in the hazard. In order to apply this Rule, it must be known or virtually certain that the ball is in the hazard. In the absence of such knowledge or certainty, the player must proceed under Rule 27-1.
If a ball is in a water hazard or if it is known or virtually certain that a ball that has not been found is in a water hazard (whether the ball lies in water or not), the player may


Hope this helps.

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Ken