How to know when ‘water shots' are worth the risk
A closer look at how water affects golf shots, including field-test data on how ball depth impacts launch, distance and energy transfer.
Taylor Moore hits a shot out of water during the second round of the 2026 Arnold Palmer Invitational. Getty Images Few golf shots invite more second-guessing than a ball sitting in water . That’s especially true when just enough of the ball is above the surface, giving you enough false confidence to go for it.
But that’s when most golfers get themselves into trouble. The reality is, water doesn’t just sit there — it changes everything. Before you think about giving one of these lies a go, it’s important to know how to read your lie .
Understanding what water does to a shot is often the difference between an impressive par-save and guaranteed disaster. In a field test conducted by Cameron Robinson, head professional at Brentwood Country Club in Los Angeles, it became clear that the amount of the ball visible above the water is a reliable predictor of how much the shot will be affected. For example, a ball just grazing the water behaves much like a heavy lie in wet sand.
When tested with a 52-degree wedge, the ball launched predictably and carried with enough height to clear a steep bank of 68 inches above the water’s surface. In simple terms, the shot performed close to normal expectations. But when a ball is partially submerged — even a quarter under water — the resistance at impact is significantly more pronounced.