The Committee has decided to implement a Local Rule which would allow players to play a provisional ball for a ball that may be lost in the water hazard crossing the 18th. The Local Rule shall read as follows:
“If there is doubt whether a ball is in or is lost in the water hazard crossing the 18th hole in front of the green, the player may play another ball provisionally under any of the applicable options in Rule 26-1. If the original ball is found outside the water hazard, the player must continue play with it. If the original ball is found in the water hazard, the player may either play the original ball as it lies or continue with the ball played provisionally under Rule 26-1. If the original ball is not found or identified within the five minute search period, the player must continue with the ball played provisionally. Penalty for Breach of Local Rule Match play- Loss of Hole; Stroke play- Two strokes.”
Note that if a ball is played provisionally and the original ball is in a water hazard, the player may play the original ball as it lies or continue with the ball played provisionally, but he may not proceed under Rule 26-1 with regard to the original ball (as this is what the player did by playing the provisional ball in the first place).
This Local Rule has been added to save time crossing the hazard to see if your ball made it over only to have to return back to the far side of the hazard to proceed under Rule 26-1. Please check with the pro shop should you have any questions about this new Local Rule.