How to Hit Out of a Water Hazard

Arguably the most heroic-looking shot in golf is from a ball lying in a water hazard. The ostensible purpose of hitting out is to avoid the onestroke penalty. But to some players it is a macho challenge too tantalizing to pass up.

Ironically, French pro Jean Van de Velde's only intelligent move during his meltdown on the last hole of 1999 British Open was to decide not to try to hit out of the water (although Van de Velde was so tempted that he rolled up his pants and stomped into the water barefoot before thinking better of it).

Experts warn against even attempting the shot. As Jack Nicklaus says in his classic instruction book Lesson Tee, "My best advice on playing a ball from water is don't, especially if it's completely submerged." Frankly, you should never try the shot unless at least half of the ball peeks above the water line and it is not imbedded in the bank or stuck in the weeds.

If you still feel like demonstrating your foolhardiness after these caveats, at least take our advice. Play the shot as if the ball were a "fried egg" in a sand trap. Unless the banks and bottom are really slippery, take off your shoes and socks. (Playing with wet shoes is a good way to develop blisters.)

Get yourself lined up and dig your feet into the streambed so you don't slide around. Use an 8- or 9-iron, which will penetrate the water easier than a wedge. Remember not to touch the banks or the water with the club, which would constitute illegal grounding and cost you a stroke. Take a compact swing at the ball with the clubface slightly closed, aiming two inches behind the ball, and pray that it gets out. Make sure you have a dry towel handy. You'll need it.