2004 # 11 When can you pick up your ball and take your maximum as your score?

THE SCENE:

You are not in a tournament today. This is a regular Tuesday play day. You are playing hole #3 on the Charger. You tee your ball up, hit it high and watch it splash into the water. You tee another ball. This time it hits the ground then bounces into the water. Thank goodness for the Special Rules for the Nine Hole Group. You know that now, after two tries, you can drop a ball on the other side of the water hazard. You will be lying 5 and hitting 6. So you hop into your cart, ride over to the fairway, drop a ball and hit it. Actually you chunk it. The turf flies and the ball runs about 20 yards. You catch up with it and hit it again. The ball heads straight for the flag then takes a bad bounce to the right then rolls even further right and keeps rolling all the way into the water. You now lie 7. One penalty stroke for the hazard gives you an 8 and you will be hitting 9. Eight is your personal maximum. 

What would you do?
A.  You have been playing well and want to stay in the competition so you will keep playing. You will putt out on this hole and take your full score.
B.  Announce that you will take your maximum for the hole, then grab your ball retriever and begin searching for your balls while the others finish playing the hole.

B is correct. 

Thank goodness for the Special Rules for the Nine Hole Group. This is not a tournament. You can take your maximum and remain in the competition. Not only is this permitted, it is encouraged because it will speed up play.
   
Your Niners’ handbook says: During regular Play Days you may pick up your ball upon reaching your handicap maximum. If you have not holed out when you reach your maximum, place an "X" on the scorecard next to your score for that hole. YOU WILL STILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR PRIZES.
 
REMEMBER: When you are not playing in a tournament and you reach your maximum, PICK UP your ball and take your maximum as your score for that hole.