First of all the general rule according to the Royal and Ancient Rulesof golf Rule 26-1 Relief for Ball in water hazard reads as follows:

"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 fromthe hole."

Notice that the rules make no mention of a Drop Zone. However drop zones are covered in Appendix I- local rules. That reads as follows:

"6. Dropping Zones (Ball Drops) Establishing special areas on which balls may or must be dropped when it is not feasible or practicable to proceed exactly in conformity with Rule 26-1 (Water Hazards and Lateral Water Hazards)."

The main point to note about the drop zone is that it can only be used when it is not feasible or practicable to proceed exactly in conformity with Rule 26-1. As you will always be able to play the ball from the original spot as in 26a, the rule must be referring to 26b and 26c. Therefore you may only use the drop zone if you cannot perform either of these rules.

I have created some visual examples to help clarify this rule.

Examples of when to use the general water hazard rule 26-1b and when to use the appendix I – 6 Drop zone Rule.

Below is a diagram of a typical island green. There are 7 examples of shots taken from the tee ground, lower left. (shots A – G). Each example has 3 positions. Position 1 is where the ball comes to rest. Position 2 is where the ball last crossed the water hazard and position 3 is where the ball may be dropped.

BALL A: This ball is hit straight into the water and comes to rest in the middle of the lake at position A1. The ball last crossed the hazard at point A2.  It is possible to “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,” Therefore the ball should be dropped on a line extended from point A2 and the flag. Eg at position A3. You could also play another ball from the tee, however you cannot play from the drop zone.

Ball B: This ball reached the green but roles back towards the tee, off the green and into the water. The point where the ball last crossed the water hazard was the point where it rolled off the green. Ie Point B2. As it is possible to “Drop a ball behind the water hazard, keeping the point at which the original ball last crossed the margin ofthe water hazard directly between the hole,” the ball should be dropped on an extended line between B2 and the flag. Eg at position B3. You could also play another ball from the tee. You cannot play from the dropzone.

BALL C: This ball goes long and just to the right of the green.  At no point whilst the ball was in the air did it cross the green. Therefore the last and only point where it crossed the hazard was at point C2. Like Ball A and B you may not use the drop zone.

Ball D: This ball bounces on the green but roles off the rightside of the green and into the water. Extending a line from the flag and the point between where the ball last entered the water hazard (D2) does not result in anywhere to drop the ball. Therefore appendix I comes into play, and the ball may be dropped in the drop zone.

Ball E: This ball flies completely over the green. However, it did cross over the green even though it never landed on it. Therefore the last point where it entered the water hazard was on the green at point E2. Like example Ball D there is no land beyond the flag and point E2 so the drop zone may be used.

Ball F: I have added this example to allow comparison with example C. Ball F is sliced left to right. The ball flies over the front right of the green, never landing on the green and enters the water to the right of the green right next to Ball C. As ball F crossed the green, the point where is last entered the water hazard was point F2.  Like balls D and E there is nowhere to drop the ball when you extend aline from the flag and point F2, therefore the drop zone may be used.  Even though balls C and F have ended up in almost exactly the same position they must be dropped in different positions.

Ball G: This one has been added to show that there are occasions where the place you have the option to drop the ball may not be desirable, but you still may not use the Drop Zone.  Ball G hits thegreen and rolls left into the water. Point G2 is therefore on the leftside of the green. The extended line between G2 and the flag takes you out towards the trees. As the trees are inbounds and part of the course that is accessible, this is where you would have to drop your ball if you elect to drop under 26-1 part b and c. The best decision here would most likely to take the drop under 26-1a and play 3 off the tee. As there is a place to drop the ball under 26-1 b and c you cannot use the drop zone.

One final point. All golf courses have local rules that supersede the rules of golf. These specific rules will be written on the scorecard and may pertain to drop zones. However, be careful what the starters tell you. At True Blue last year the starter said that on the island green hole #3 the drop zone was at the back of the green and you must drop there if your ball goes in the water. (Even if it was similar to example A,B and C above). Apparently this is to keep play moving in a timely manner. There is no mention of this on the scorecard and it is not a local rule. It is something that he made up. I think we should ignore these stupid made up rules and play to the rules of the R&A and the courses’ real local rules. This point is open for debate and should be decided in advance.