In a recent "Weekly Newsletter" from our Secretary Manager I was interested to read his comments regarding seeing a player taking incorrect relief from within the margins of the lake on the sixth hole. So in order to help members better understand the correct course of action I have embedded a couple of Youtube clips from Barry Rhodes who explains the options in the most clear and simple terms.

One very important aspect that needs underlining that Barry doesn't mention in these clips is the requirement to "know "or be "virtually certain" that the ball has entred the hazard. I think is particuarly relevant at the 6th hole where the lake, or other adjacent water hazards may not be visible to the player when he makes the errant stroke. Under the Rules of Golf thinking your ball has entered a water hazard simply isn't good enough.

Decision 26-1/1 says: 

"If a ball has been struck towards a water hazard and has not been found, the term "known or virtually certain" indicates the level of confidence that the ball is in the water hazard that is required for the player to proceed under Rule 26-1. A player may not assume that his ball is in a water hazard simply because there is a possibility that the ball may be in the hazard. If it is not known that the ball is in the water hazard, in order for the player to proceed under Rule 26-1 there must be almost no doubt that the ball is in the hazard. Otherwise, a ball that cannot be found must be considered lost outside the hazard and the player must proceed under Rule 27-1.

All available evidence must be taken into account in determining whether knowledge or virtual certainty exists, including any testimony and the physical conditions in the area around the water hazard. For example, if a water hazard is surrounded by a fairway on which a ball could hardly be lost, there exists a greater certainty that the ball is in the hazard than there would be if there were deep rough in the area. Observing a ball splash in a water hazard would not necessarily provide knowledge or virtual certainty as to the location of the ball as sometimes such a ball may skip out of a hazard.

The same principle would apply for a ball that may have been moved by an outside agency (Rule 18-1) or a ball that has not been found and may be in an obstruction (Rule 24-3) or an abnormal ground condition (Rule 25-1c)." 

Relief for a ball in a Water Hazard 

Relief for a ball in a Lateral Water Hazard