Rules of Golf 2012-2015 Pocket Edition - The R&A

Appendix I 123
1. Water Hazards; Ball Played Provisionally Under Rule 26-1
If a water hazard (including a lateral water hazard) is of such size and shape
and/or located in such a position that:
(i) it would be impracticable to determine whether the ball is in the hazard
or to do so would unduly delay play, and
(ii) if the original ball is not found, it is known or virtually certain that it is in
the water hazard,
the Committee may introduce a Local Rule permitting the play of a ball
provisionally under Rule 26-1. The ball is played provisionally under any of
the applicable options under Rule 26-1 or any applicable Local Rule. In such
a case, if a ball is played provisionally and the original ball is in a water hazard,
the player may play the original ball as it lies or continue with the ball played
provisionally, but he may not proceed under Rule 26-1 with regard to the
original ball.
In these circumstances, the following Local Rule is recommended:
“If there is doubt whether a ball is in or is lost in the water hazard (specify
location), the player may play another ball provisionally under any of the
applicable options in Rule 26-1.
If the original ball is found outside the water hazard, the player must
continue play with it.
If the original ball is found in the water hazard, the player may either play
the original ball as it lies or continue with the ball played provisionally under
Rule 26-1.
If the original ball is not found or identified within the five-minute search
period, the player must continue with the ball played provisionally.
PENALTY FOR BREACH OF LOCAL RULE:
Match play – Loss of hole; Stroke play – Two strokes.”