Playing out of a Water Hazard?

Hi

I recently played in a competition and hit my ball just into a pond which was marked with yellow stakes. As my ball was half in and half out i chose to play it so i did not risk dropping a shot, which i thought was allowed. I have since been in a heated debate with my mates about whether or not i acted correctly? I always thought that if playable you could hit out of a water hazard as i have seen in these RandA brief rules here: http://www.randa.org/pdfs/FLY_InBrief.pdf#search='Play%20out%20of%20water%20 hazard

Should i have dropped my ball out of the hazard immediately or was i right in choosing to play the shot as it lied?

Your thoughts would be very much appreciated,

You're always allowed to play the ball as it lies unless the rules explicitly states otherwise (see rules 13-4 and 26 for rules relating to hazards and water). You friends are wrong.

The next time someone claims something is by the rules, just whip out your rules book (you have one, right?) and say: "Show me where it says so"

You're fine, unless it's been marked environmentally sensitive.

In which case I think you are still Ok - a bit like GUR

- oops in fact not in a water hazard...

If you're in an environmentally-sensitive area, most local rules state you MUST drop.

I think I am correct in saying that you can play out of a hazard marked with yellow markers but you must not ground your club while addressing the ball.

Iancu