Lost Ball?

[dougheg]

Playing in a 4some, one member hits a dead straight, down the middle drive on a straight away par 4. The rest of our group see the ball land at the 150 marker and disappear. When we arrive at the 150, the ground is saturated and the ball is no where to be seen. Clearly it embedded in the mud as we all observed the probable landing area. Ruling?

[Kiwi battler]

We need more info me thinks ....mud ? or casual water ?

If the latter , were you virtually certain the ball was in there ?

[dougheg]

Some areas around the 150 had standing water while water in other areas had evaporated leaving the ground muddy (run off). All 4 of us were absolutely certain the ball must have embedded as we did not see any water fly. It did not hit the 150 stake and go sideways.

[Kilroy]

If the ball is not found, but is "known or virtually certain" to be in casual water, you get relief without penalty. It does not sound like this qualifies.

An embedded ball must be found to be deemed embedded, so no luck there.

The ball is lost.