What is the rule in golf when you hit the ball into a body of water?

Question

What do you do?

Answer 1

I'm just going to cut and paste from the USGA rule book. If you don't understand these email me and I'll try to explain.

"If a ball is in or is lost in a water hazard (whether the ball lies in water or not), the player may under penalty of one stroke:
(a) Play a ball as nearly as possible at the spot from which the original ball was last played (see Rule 20-5); or
(b) Drop a ball behind the water hazard, keeping the point at which the original ball last crossed the margin of the water hazard directly between the hole and the spot on which the ball is dropped, with no limit to how far behind the water hazard the ball may be dropped; or
(c) As additional options available only if the ball last crossed the margin of a lateral water hazard, drop a ball outside the water hazard within two club-lengths of and not nearer the hole than (i) the point where the original ball last crossed the margin of the water hazard or (ii) a point on the opposite margin of the water hazard equidistant from the hole.

Answer 2

Depends on the body of water and where you are playing.

If its the sea your out of bounds one stroke and replay shot

If its a water hazard marked by yellow stakes you must keep the point of entry between you and the flag drop back as far as you like (or replay shot) one shot penalty

If its a lateral hazard you get two club lenghts at point ball crossed the hazard one shot penalty (again you can always replay the shot also incurring a one shot penalty)

Answer 3

You laugh your posterior off and take a mulligan. That's what we do.

Answer 4

he said what I was going to say