A question for golf rule nutters.?

I can't believe so many answered this wrong. The key to this question is where is your ball now. If you could take your ball straight up and the ball is still in the boundary of the hazard you would not get relief. However if you moved your ball straight up and the ball was outside of the hazard markers/line you would get relief (a free drop). Here's a rule that helps explain. 24-2b/12 Ball in Drainpipe Under Course; Entrance to Drainpipe Is Out of Bounds. I know this is dealing with out of bounds but the same principle would apply to the water hazard.

What matters is where your ball came to rest. Is it within the margin of a hazard when it's in the pipe? There is no penalty for hitting a ball into a hazard. The penalty comes if you decide you can't hit it out of the hazard and have to take a drop - that costs you a stroke.

If the pipe is within the confines of the hazard it is a penalty if you decide to take relief. Everything inside the hazard is hazard.

Rule 24-2 does not allow relief from obstructions while the ball lies in a water hazard.

So, no free relief, and proceed under rule 26 for ball within hazard.

yeah forget the pipe and the free drop my friend your in a lateral hazard so youve incured a penalty no mater where your ball has ended up inside that hazard unlucky its back to the practise range for you

If it is inside the markings of the hazard the penalty for being in the hazard would apply.

Keep it simple. You are in the hazard so you have two choices, take a penalty drop or play it as it lies.

ask the committee. if the ball is not inside the red line you may get relief. You can see the ball under the covering of the pipe?

hazard is hazard. If it didn't come out you must drop.

You can always play the shot as it lies penalty free.