golf rule - penalty drop

Question
Ladies' comp - I played my tee shot and it landed in the back of a bunker which was full of water to the lip - no place to drop within the bunker unless closer to the hole. I thought my option was to play 3 off the tee or drop outside the bunker (no closer to the hole or back in line from the bunker) for my 3rd shot. My playing partner who apparently is "rules accredited" said that I could play - (without penalty) my next shot from a dry bunker on the other side of the fairway as it was not closer to the hole. I asked her if she was on drugs...but thought I should clarify with an expert in case I was wrong. You kindly clarified my last query in October.
Thanks for your time.

Answer
Hi Marie:

Great question.  She is wrong.  Here are your options.  

Rule 25-1b/8  Player's Options When Bunker Completely Covered By Casual Water

A.  The player may play the ball as it lies or:

1.  drop the ball in the bunker without penalty at the nearest point of relief, not nearer the hole, where the depth of the casual water is least or
2.  drop the ball behind the bunker under penalty of one stroke or
3.  declare the ball unplayable and then proceed in accordance to Rule 28 (Ball Unplayable).  

Those are your only options.  Remember, you are taking relief from the water, not the bunker.  This answer comes directly out of The Decisions on the Rules of Golf book.  

Eddie Kilthau
PGA Member
www.victorygolfworks.com