golf rules- hazard, lateral

Question
u hit into a lateral hazard...but u dont find the ball..or dont want to look for it. but u know the line it went into the hazard.....without finding thew poriginal ball, can u just drop outside the hazard, take your oenalty, and play, or MUST u find the ball in the hazard?

Answer
Dear Tony, thanks for the question.  You sir, do NOT need to find that ball.  In fact, you can decide not even to look for it but rather declare it in the hazard and take your options/choices as you will.  Good luck, thanks again for asking and remember...

Love the game,
skipper