26-1. Relief for Ball in Water Hazard
It is a question of fact whether a ball lost after having been
struck toward a water hazard is lost inside or outside the
hazard. In order to treat the ball as lost in the hazard, there
must be reasonable evidence that the ball lodged in it. In the
absence of such evidence, the ball must be treated as a lost ball
and Rule 27 applies.
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.
The ball may be lifted and cleaned when proceeding under
this Rule.
(Prohibited actions when ball is in a hazard – see Rule 13-4)
(Ball moving in water in a water hazard – see Rule 14-6)

26-2. Ball Played Within Water Hazard
a. Ball Comes to Rest in Same or Another Water Hazard
If a ball played from within a water hazard comes to rest in the
same or another water hazard after the stroke, the player may:
(i) proceed under Rule 26-1a. If, after dropping in
the hazard, the player elects not to play the dropped ball,
he may:
(a) with reference to this hazard, proceed under Rule
26-1b, or if applicable Rule 26-1c, adding the
additional penalty of one stroke prescribed by that
Rule; or
(b) add an additional penalty of one stroke and play a ball
as nearly as possible at the spot from which the last
stroke from outside a water hazard was made (see
Rule 20-5); or
(ii) proceed under Rule 26-1b, or if applicable Rule 26-1c; or
(iii) under penalty of one stroke, play a ball as nearly as
possible at the spot from which the last stroke from
outside a water hazard was made (see Rule 20-5).
b. Ball Lost or Unplayable Outside Hazard or Out of Bounds
If a ball played from within a water hazard is lost or declared
unplayable outside the hazard or is out of bounds, the player
may, after taking a penalty of one stroke under Rule 27-1
or 28a:
(i) play a ball as nearly as possible at the spot in the hazard
from which the original ball was last played (see Rule
20-5); or
(ii) proceed under Rule 26-1b, or if applicable Rule 26-1c,
adding the additional penalty of one stroke prescribed by
the Rule and using as the reference point the point where
the original ball last crossed the margin of the hazard
before it came to rest in the hazard; or
(iii) add an additional penalty of one stroke and play a ball as
nearly as possible at the spot from which the last stroke
from outside the hazard was made (see Rule 20-5).
Note 1: When proceeding under Rule 26-2b, the player is not
required to drop a ball under Rule 27-1 or 28a. If he does drop
a ball, he is not required to play it. He may alternatively
proceed under Rule 26-2b(ii) or (iii).
Note 2: If a ball played from within a water hazard is declared
unplayable outside the hazard, nothing in Rule 26-2b
precludes the player from proceeding under Rule 28b or c.