lost ball in a lateral hazard (not water)

Question
I have been discussing this issue with Ken on your web site and his last answer contradicts his firts answer. 1st he says if players agree that a ball is in a lateral hazard(not water but bushes) he gets a drop, one stroke penalty. Then according to lost ball definition he then says if the ball isn't identified which means it must be found it is lost and penalty would be stroke and distance. I have always played that you must find the ball or it is stroke and distance. Which is correct. On tv when they can't find their ball in a hazard they go back to where it was hit from(stroke and distance) Please help, which is correct. Thanks

Answer
Vance,

First, let me clarify something: The "experts" on this site, including myself, are independent so we don't know each other or talk about the questions that are received.  So what I'm saying is...I don't know "Ken".

Now to your question.  If a ball is indeed lost in a water hazard, whether there is water in the hazard at the time the ball went into the hazard or not, then the Rule 26 applies (Water Hazards including Lateral Water Hazards) and the relief described under Rule 26 (one stroke penalty) would be followed.  One does NOT need to find the ball in the hazard or identify it to be granted relief under Rule 26, but you must "know" that the ball went into that hazard.

Perhaps the perceived contradiction is because, if there is any doubt whatsoever that the ball was lost in the water hazard, you can't use Rule 26.  In such cases, a ball not found within the time limit allowed for hunting for it and identifying it, you must proceed under Rule 27 (Lost Ball or Ball Out of Bounds).  Rule 27 is the "stroke and distance" rule that you are referring to.

So the key issue is one of FACT, not the rule.  Did the ball, in fact, go into a water hazard or not?  If you merely "think" it did or "assume" it did...that's not enough under the rules.  There must be reasonable evidence that the ball is lost in the hazard in order to employ the relief granted under Rule 26.

I hope my response answers your question and removes any further doubt about how the rules would apply to the situation you described.

Sincerely,

Paul Dolman
PGA Golf Professional