In the unique situation, that a ball come to rest against a water hazard stake but still out of the hazard, rule 24-1 would take effect.
Rule 24-1 states that a player may obtain relief from a movable obstruction as follows: .
a. If the ball does not lie in or on the obstruction, the obstruction may be removed. If the ball moves, it shall be replaced, and there is no penalty provided that the movement of the ball is directly attributable to the removal of the obstruction. Otherwise, Rule 18-2a applies.
b. If the ball lies in or on the obstruction, the ball may be lifted, without penalty, and the obstruction removed. The ball shall through the green or in a hazard be dropped, or on the putting green be placed, as near as possible to the spot directly under the place where the ball lay in or on the obstruction, but not nearer the hole.
In the case as to doubt on this procedure, a player may invoke rule 3-3, doubt as to procedure. This states that in stroke play only, when a player is doubtful of his rights or procedure he may, without penalty, play a second ball. The competitor should first announce to his marker or fellow-competitor his decision to invoke this rule and the ball with which he will score if the rules permit. He shall then report the facts to the committee before returning his scorecard unless he scores the same with both balls; if he fails to do so he shall be disqualified.
If the rules allow the procedure selected in advance by the competitor the score with the ball selected shall be his score for the hole.
If the competitor fails to announce in advance his decision to invoke this rule or his selection, the score with the original ball or, if the original ball is not one of the balls being played, the first ball put into play shall count if the rules allow the procedure adopted for such ball.
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