How many strokes do you count if the ball goes in the water?

Question

In a golf game, if you tee off & the ball goes in the water, how many strokes do you count it as?

Answer 1

There is a one stroke penalty when hitting in a water hazard, so you hit 1 stroke from the tee, drop a ball for 2 and then hit it again for 3 strokes.

The rules pertaining to where and how you take that drop differe depending on what kind of water hazard it is.

Leon

Answer 2

Sorry, its not that simple - it entirely depends on what the water represents - but if its regarded as a hazard (ie designed by the course designer as part of the golf course and representing a hazard) then it depends on what options are available and which option the player selects. This is all so dependant on local club rules.
Trying to put it simply - count one stroke for your original strike - one stroke (penalty) for either dropping the ball in the designated area, dropping the ball at the point of passing over the hazard line or returning to the tee to rehit the ball.
But remember - just like in a sand hazard - the player has every right to hit his ball from the water without a penalty stroke added to his score - don't laugh because this has been attempted many times even in pro golf.....

Answer 3

Let's say your 2nd shot goes in the water. You drop a ball as close to the water as possible, on the line where it went in from. Then that will be your 4th shot.

Answer 4

One stroke for the shot itself.

One stroke penalty for drowning the ball.

So all else being equal I am swinging three. Line of flight in play no closer to the hole.

It is possible to accumulate more penalties and or fines for swearing, cursing, throwing clubs and just plain being an @#$ hole.

But I am older now, and fortuneately I hit straighter and shorter.

Answer 5

When you hit the ball in the water and can't play it, look in the rule book to see what your options are. No matter what option you take, your next shot will be your third.

Answer 6

You hit the shot in the water, you add one stroke, so you have hit 2 shots the next one will be your 3rd