Assuming it wasn’t, your friend could indeed have borrowed a ball from another player if he ran out.
DROPZONE ATHLETICS PROFESSIONAL
The “1-ball rule,” Model Local Rule G-4, is rarely in effect other than for elite professional and amateur competitions. Under Rule 17.1b, access to the drop zone requires a ball to come to rest in the affiliated penalty area. (Yes, Rules Guy knows what a nightclub is, even if he prefers libraries.) Think of the drop zone as an exclusive nightclub called, well, “The Drop Zone,” where you can’t just talk your way in - you must be on the guest list. Legal? Creative thinking in any case, no?Ĭreative, yes legal, no. He would still have a two-shot lead, with a much safer shot to the green. Not knowing if the rules allowed for borrowing a ball from another player and facing a long par 3 over water, he asked whether he could bypass hitting his tee shot and head directly to the drop zone across the water, lying 3, to prevent the possibility of losing his last ball.
Playing with my friend in a stroke-play event, he came to the 17th hole four shots ahead of the field but with only one ball left. Got a question? He’s got all the answers. Our Rules Guy knows the book front to back. The Rules of Golf are tricky! Thankfully, we’ve got the guru. If you're facing a long carry over water, is it legal to head straight to the drop zone to avoid losing your ball?