What differentiates a water hazard from a lateral water hazard?
A water hazard is any sea, lake, pond, river, ditch, surface drainage ditch or other open water course (whether or not containing water) and anything of a similar nature – see the Definition of “Water Hazard”. If a player’s ball lies in a water hazard, he may play the ball as it lies or proceed under Rule 26-1a or b. A lateral water hazard is a water hazard or that part of a water hazard so situated that it is not possible or is deemed by the Committee to be impracticable to drop a ball behind the water hazard in accordance with Rule 26-1b – see Definition “Lateral Water Hazard”. If a player’s ball lies in a lateral water hazard, he may, in addition to the options available when in a water hazard, proceed under Rule 26-1c. Stakes and lines used to define a water hazard must be yellow. Stakes and lines used to define a lateral water hazard must be red.
