These rules are covered under Rule 26 in the rules of golf.
Lets say we have a hole with water running down the right. In our scenario let's look at Hole 3 at Edinburgh USA in Brooklyn Park, MN.
In the image say we have teed off from the lower right portion of the image, hitting toward the green in the upper left. We hit a sweet slice/duck hook into the water as shown by the blue line.
What are the options?
First thing, determining entry point is the location the ball last crossed into the hazard
Yellow Staked Hazard
If the water hazard is marked with yellow stakes we have 3 options. Two simple ones, and one which trips up a lot of people.
- Re-hit from the last shot. In this case it would be on the tee, shown as number 1. If your last shot was off the tee you can re-tee and hit again.
- This next option is the one that is a little confusing. What you need to do is draw an imaginary line from the flag stick to the point where your ball last crossed the water hazard. You can then continue back on that line as far back as you want to go. Most people don't want to go into the water, so your likely next shot will be what is shown as number 2. Remember, you can go as far back as you want to on this imaginary line.
- Go for a swim and hit the ball as it lies, shown as number 3.
Red Staked Hazard
If this same water were marked with red stakes you have the same three options shown above. However you are given 2 additional possibilities:
- You may drop within 2 club lengths of where the ball last crossed the hazard, provided you do not drop closer to the hole, shown as number 4.
- You drop on the opposite side of the water where the ball last crossed the hazard, provided you do not drop closer to the hole, shown as number 5.
There may be local rules in place to handle water on a particular course. This includes specific drop areas provided for a hole.
