Dodgy rule idea.

[golf_bhoy]

The European, County Wicklow, has a hole where the beach is in play.  Unfortunately it's a very stony beach and I ruined the sole of a 7I ...

[Tomba]

I seem to remember about 20 years ago, that in the Rules (or was it the Decisions book) the definition was that the margin of a Ditch (in the absence of any markings) was where the ground started to slope down into the ditch. But i don't know where or when it has dissapeared.
I could have DQd so many people on our 2nd hole as there was a ditch in front of the green and on 1 side it was obvious wher the margin was but on the Right it started 10 feet before it started to go down sharply. Every single player who hit it there took however many practice swings grounding the club so could have been done for grounding in a Hazard

OT but here's one i've often thought about. The water hazard is like the one you mentioned only bigger and a player takes his bag to walk to his ball and puts his bag down clearly in the defined water hazard. Is that a penalty?

[Blofeld]

As i said earlier, if it looks like a ditch,,, you should both play it the same as the Definitions within the Rules clearly states
"Water Hazard
A "water hazard" is any sea, lake, pond, river, ditch, surface drainage ditch or other open water course (whether or not containing water) and anything of a similar nature"
Now what makes that difficult to understand? Not all courses have the luxury of having all water hazzards staked or painted and it isn't a requirement that they are.
If it looks like a ditch, it is a water hazard and you treat it as such.
If it is the Atlantic Ocean, it is a water hazard and you treat it as such, the tide beeing in or out does not make it casual water.  

but it is a recommendation that the R&A make in their Guidance to Running a Competition.

Prior to a competition, it is the responsibility of the Committee to ensure that the course has
been properly and completely marked. If the Committee takes the time to accurately define
the boundaries of the course and the margins of water hazards and clearly marks any areas
which are to be treated as ground under repair, it reduces the possibility of awkward Rules
situations arising. A properly marked golf course helps all golfers adhere to the Rules and,
therefore, courses should be marked at all times, not just for competitions, so that golfers
become accustomed to the markings and their purpose.

[Stu-Pid]

OT but here's one i've often thought about. The water hazard is like the one you mentioned only bigger and a player takes his bag to walk to his ball and puts his bag down clearly in the defined water hazard. Is that a penalty?

Nope.  As long as you are not deemed to be testing the condition of the hazard then you can indeed take your bag into a hazard, including a bunker.

[ask3l]

but it is a recommendation that the R&A make in their Guidance to Running a Competition.

Prior to a competition, it is the responsibility of the Committee to ensure that the course has
been properly and completely marked. If the Committee takes the time to accurately define
the boundaries of the course and the margins of water hazards and clearly marks any areas
which are to be treated as ground under repair, it reduces the possibility of awkward Rules
situations arising. A properly marked golf course helps all golfers adhere to the Rules and,
therefore, courses should be marked at all times, not just for competitions, so that golfers
become accustomed to the markings and their purpose.

Exactly, a "recommendation" Not that i'm being pedantic. And in most cases we are not exactly speaking about hosting the Open! 

[Blofeld]

Exactly, a "recommendation" Not that i'm being pedantic. And in most cases we are not exactly speaking about hosting the Open! 

No pedantry required....however....the R&A recommendations should apply to any comp of any reasonable level....not just the headline comps that we watch on the telly.

For instance my club yesterday hosted an Essex Girls v. Suffolk Girls matchplay event. I'm pretty sure that someone from the organising committee would have had an advance look at the course (or at least sought assurances) to ensure that it was set up appropriately with all appropriate hazards, areas of GUR, indicated/defined as necessary etc etc.

As for the original situation...youre right...the water hazard should be obvious for what it is....but the organising committee shouldnt in all honesty let the situation arise.

[Tomba]

Nope.  As long as you are not deemed to be testing the condition of the hazard then you can indeed take your bag into a hazard, including a bunker.

Thanks Stu