rule clarification

Question
if you hit your ball in a ditch going across a fairway, that is filled with large stones,placed there to keep the ditch from further erosion, is it a penalty stroke when you remove the ball from the ditch away from the stones to take your next shot.g

Answer
Dear Larry, thanks for the question.  Unless there is a local rule set up by the course for that situation, (which could very likely be the case) then there would indeed be an additional stroke for moving the ball from an unplayable lie.  I would check with the clubhouse or scorecard for exact clarity. Often times, courses will offer a free lift from just such situations.  Good luck, thanks again and remember...

Love the game,
skipper