Rule 26-2b from the Rules of Golf deals with a ball that is played from within a water hazard and comes to rest unplayable or is out of bounds. The whole scenario sounds very tragic and certain to ruin any scorecard, but in reality it’s a rare occurrence, and one not often experienced by the world’s best players. However for PGA Tour player Brian Davis, of England, it’s that exact position he found himself in on his 72nd hole at The Verizon Heritage at the famed Harbour Town Golf Links.

Davis’ second shot at the par 4, 18th hole finished in the sandy marsh area left of the green only 25-30 feet from the hole but within the hazard. Attempting to play the ball from the hazard, he blasted the ball 30-40 yards across the green and out of bounds! That is where Davis’ options, under the Rules, were to his benefit.

With the advice of a Rules Official, Davis had the option to return to the marshy hazard under penalty of one stroke for the ball out of bounds, or to come out of the hazard all together with the out of bounds penalty plus another stroke penalty for coming out of the water hazard (two penalty strokes total). This option required Davis to return to the point where the ball last crossed the margin of the hazard, or to the spot where he previously played from outside the hazard. However, both of these places were some 175 yards back in the fairway.

Since Davis was already under penalty of one stroke for playing the ball out of bounds from the marshy hazard, there was no harm in him returning to where he played from the marsh and dropping a ball there. In essence it’s a free look at what he may get in the hazard. If it ends up in a poor lie in the hazard, then he could take the additional water hazard penalty.

For Davis however, he dropped the ball in a descent lie in the hazard and played a great shot this time from the marsh to 10 feet and holed the putt for a great six.

Remember knowing the Rules and the options under the Rules will always be to your benefit.