Lost Ball off Tee

Question
I understand about stroke & distance for a "regular" lost ball off the tee, but does this rule also apply if you hit into a lateral hazard off the tee?
Thanks.

Answer
Hi Glenda,

No, the lateral hazard situation is quite different.

Firstly, after hitting your shot, if you think your ball is lost, you have the option of hitting a provisional ball. If you do find the original ball is lost, you continue to play the provisional ball. If you had not hit a provisional ball, you'd have to go back to the position from which you hit the lost ball and resume play with another ball. After hitting the provisional ball once, you would be at count 3.

With a lateral hazard, you have 5 options, one of which is to put another ball in play from the place where you originally hit the ball into the hazard. After hitting that ball, you would be at count 3, just like the lost ball scenario.

You also have options of dropping a ball close to the point where the ball entered a hazard. Let's say you are hitting from a par 3 tee towards the green and there is a lateral hazard guarding the right hand side. You slice your ball into the hazard. Here are your options.

1. Hit another ball from the tee. You count both swings and add a penalty stroke. After hitting the 2nd ball, you are at count 3 (but, you could hit that ball into the hazard as well)
2. Find the point where the ball entered the hazard. Within one club length of the point of entry, drop a ball. You count the original swing and a penalty so you are at count 2, and hitting 3 (you are much closer to the green when hitting 3 in this scenario.
3. Same as 2, except you can drop on the opposite side of the lateral hazard (laterally straight across the hazard).
4. You can drop at any point on an imaginary line that connects the point of entry with the hole. You can go back, away from the hole as far as you want. Same number of strokes as 2 and 3.
5. Drop a ball anywhere on a line between the point of entry and the tee. Same number of strokes.

If you want more info, visit the USGA site on rules.
http://www.usga.org/playing/rules/rules_of_golf.html

It's Rule 26-1/15.

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www.probablegolfinstruction.com

Best regards,
Ken Tannar