water in bunkers

Question
can i get a free drop out of a waterlog bunker.

Answer
Tom:  In this case, in taking relief from the casual water you would go to the point in the bunker that affords the most relief that is not nearer the hole.  It's explained in Rule 25-1 ii (a):  "(a) Without penalty, in accordance with Clause(i) above, except that the nearest point of relief must be in the bunker  and the ball must be dropped in the bunker  or, if complete relief is impossible, as near as possible to the spot where the ball lay, but not nearer the hole, on a part of the course  in the bunker  that affords maximum available relief from the condition"

Many times when a bunker is completely filled with water, the rules committee will designate another bunker to be used for relief but if they don't, you're stuck with playing from the shallowest water.

You can find this and the other rules at http://www.usga.org/Rule-Books/Rules-of-Golf/

Good luck Tom and thanks for the question.

Fairways and Greens,

John
www.golfnutts.com