As stated in the last sentence of the above definition, when a golf course uses stakes or a line painted on the ground to designate the out-of-bounds boundary, those stakes or that line are white. (Although if some other boundary — a fence, for example — denotes out of bounds, that type of boundary won't necessarily be white.
Full Answer
What is a marker in golf?
The definition of "marker" as it appears in the golf rules maintained by the USGA and R&A: "In stroke play, the person responsible for entering a player’s score on the player’s scorecard and for certifying that scorecard. The marker may be another player, but not a partner.
What is the out of bounds line in golf?
If white stakes are used at intervals, the out of bounds line is the direct line from one stake to the next. Clearly this may sometimes become a matter of tricky judgment with the naked eye, but it is not unknown for referees in big events to carry a piece of string around with them to help them determine if a ball lies in or out of bounds!
How do you know if a golf ball is out of bounds?
So, for example, if a white line painted on the turf designated the OB boundary, and your golf is at rest on the line, the ball is in bounds. Rule 18.2 includes a diagram to help golfers determine the in-or-out-of-bounds question. It's a stroke-and-distance penalty for hitting the ball out of bounds.
What color is out of bounds on a golf course?
White Is the Color of Out of Bounds As stated in the last sentence of the above definition, when a golf course uses stakes or a line painted on the ground to designate the out-of-bounds boundary, those stakes or that line are white.
How are out of bounds marked in golf?
The definition goes on to tell us that “When out of bounds is defined by a line on the ground, the line itself is out of bounds.” In that case, the nearest inside edge (golf course side) of the line would define the boundary line.
What is considered out of bounds?
"Out of bounds" refers to those areas outside the golf course from which play is not allowed, or any area designated as out of bounds by the committee. Out of bounds will be marked in some way, often by the use of stakes or some barrier (a fence, for example).
What do red markers mean in golf?
lateral water hazardUpdated on 05/27/18. Red stakes pounded into the ground on a golf course or red lines painted on the ground are the markers used to indicate a lateral water hazard. A lateral water hazard is differentiated from a "regular" water hazard by the fact that it is, well, lateral.
What is the new rule for out of bounds?
Balls Lost or Out of Bounds: Alternative to Stroke and Distance: A new Local Rule will now be available in January 2019, permitting committees to allow golfers the option to drop the ball in the vicinity of where the ball is lost or out of bounds (including the nearest fairway area), under a two-stroke penalty.
What is the USGA out of bounds rule?
Topic Overview: If you hit your ball out of bounds or lose it (you have three minutes to search for your ball before it becomes lost), your only option is to go back to the spot of your previous stroke to play under stroke and distance.
Is out of bounds a 2 stroke penalty?
Regardless of whether you choose to take relief, you must take a 2-stroke penalty. For example, if your drive went out of bounds, that is your first shot. Now, add two strokes for your penalty and your next shot after your new placement will be your fourth shot.
What is the difference between red and yellow stakes?
Red and Yellow Stakes When stakes are used to designate water hazards, yellow stakes must be employed for standard hazards, while red stakes must be used for lateral water hazards, according to the Rules of Golf.
What do the colored markers mean on a golf course?
Golf courses have distance markers that measure the yardage to each hole, and each distance marker has a corresponding color. On most courses, the 100-yard marker is red, the 150-yard marker is white, and the 200-yard marker is blue. Some courses will have a 250-yard marker that is yellow, but this is less common.
What do white markers mean in golf?
out-of-boundsThe Whites The white stakes on a golf course indicate out-of-bounds. That is, beyond the stakes' nearest inside point is out-of-bounds. The while lines on a golf course mean the same thing as white stakes, though an indication of out-of-bounds in a different way.
How many strokes do you get for hitting out of bounds?
If a player hits a ball out of bounds or loses a ball, the general rules still require the player to return to the spot of the previous stroke and take a one-stroke penalty - a standard stroke-and-distance scenario.
How many strokes is an unplayable lie?
one-strokeIf you find your ball in play, but in a circumstance where you are not able to make a swing or advance the ball, then you are always entitled to claim an unplayable lie. Under this rule, you incur a one-stroke penalty, but are permitted to take relief from your troubling situation.
How many strokes are added for a lost ball in golf?
one penalty strokeIf a ball is lost or out of bounds, the player must take stroke-and-distance relief by adding one penalty stroke and playing the original ball or another ball from where the previous stroke was made (see Rule 14.6).
What defines the boundary edge?
The boundary edge should be defined by boundary objects or lines: *Boundary objects: When defined by stakes or a fence, the boundary edge is defined by the line between the course -side points of the stakes or fence posts at ground level (excluding angled supports), and those stakes or fence posts are out of bounds.
What is the penalty for hitting a golf shot out of bounds?
The penalty for hitting a golf shot out of bounds, and how to proceed after doing it, are covered in the Rules of Golf in Rule 18.2. That rule begins by noting that "Your ball at rest is out of bounds only when all of it is outside the boundary edge of the course." So, for example, if a white line painted on the turf designated the OB boundary, and your golf is at rest on the line, the ball is in bounds. Rule 18.2 includes a diagram to help golfers determine the in-or-out-of-bounds question.
What is an out of bounds?
Out of bounds will be marked in some way, often by the use of stakes or some barrier (a fence, for example). Items used to designate out of bounds are not considered obstructions, are considered to be fixed, and therefore cannot be removed in order to play a shot.
What is 18.2 in golf?
Rule 18.2 includes a diagram to help golfers determine the in-or-out-of-bounds question. It's a stroke-and-distance penalty for hitting the ball out of bounds. That means, if you are playing by the rules, when you hit a ball OB you must add a penalty stroke to your score, then play another ball from the location of your previous stroke.
Can you ignore stroke and distance in golf?
If you are not playing by the rules — a friendly round with buddies, none of whom take it too seriously or expect strict adherence to the rules — then for the sake of speeding up play you can ignore stroke-and-distance. Just add a penalty stroke and drop a ball at the place your original shot went out of bounds.
Who is Brent Kelley?
Brent Kelley is an award-winning sports journalist and golf expert with over 30 years in print and online journalism. "Out of bounds" refers to those areas outside the golf course from which play is not allowed, or any area designated as out of bounds by the committee .
Can you play a provisional ball from the same place as the first one?
If you think you just hit a ball out of bounds, you can play a provisional ball from the same place the first one was played. Be sure to announce your intention to hit a provisional to your playing partners. ( Rule 18-3)
Why should you not use red stakes in soccer?
The Committee should avoid the use of red or yellow stakes for marking a boundary so as not to cause confusion with penalty areas. The distance between stakes may vary, but, ideally, it should be possible to see the base of one stake from the next one to determine if a ball is out of bounds.
Why should the Committee avoid red lines?
The Committee should avoid the use of red or yellow lines for marking a boundary to avoid confusion with penalty areas. When the boundary is defined by a line painted on the ground, the Committee can also place stakes to make the boundary visible from a distance.
What does a player need to know to take relief from a penalty area?
In taking relief from a penalty area, a player will usually need to know the point where the ball last crossed the edge of the penalty area and whether the penalty area is marked as red or yellow at that point.
What is a penalty area?
Penalty areas are areas of the course from which a player is allowed to take relief for one penalty stroke at a spot outside the penalty area that is potentially a significant distance from where his or her ball may have come to rest. As provided in the definition of “penalty area”, areas which contain water such as lakes, streams, rivers or ponds are penalty areas and should be marked as such.
What color should boundary stakes be?
Use of Stakes. Boundary stakes should be white, though another colour may be used. There may be existing stakes already in place that are a different colour, or the Committee may have a reason for using a different colour to distinguish them from some items on the course.
What can a committee mark?
The Committee can mark the course’s boundary in many ways. Stakes or painted lines can be placed in position by the Committee. Existing fences or walls can be used to define boundaries, as can the edge of other permanent structures such as roads or buildings.
Why is it important for the Committee to properly mark the boundaries and maintain the markings?
In order to ensure that play is conducted under the Rules , it is important for the Committee to properly mark the boundaries and maintain the markings so that a player who hits a ball near a boundary is able to determine if his or her ball is in bounds or out of bounds. Areas beyond the course boundary are out of bounds ...
What does tee marker rotation do?
Golf course superintendents rotate tee markers on a regular basis to help turf on teeing grounds recover from traffic and give divots time to heal.
How many yards short of the rated length of a golf course?
For instance, if you play 18 holes of golf every Tuesday and the tees on every hole are moved forward 10 yards from where they were rated, the overall course yardage for that set of tees will be 180 yards short of the rated length.
Does moving tee markers affect golf?
Whether they move forward, backward, right or left, moving tee markers not only impacts turf health, it has a direct impact on your round of golf. When the maintenance staff moves the tee markers on each hole, they must think about how the tee marker locations on all 18 holes affect the course yardage for each set of tees.
How to serve as a marker for another golfer?
If you are serving as a marker for another golfer, you should: Observe, as best you can, each stroke the golfer plays; Count those strokes, plus any penalty strokes that may be necessary to add; Double-check the score with the golfer after each hole (this is not required, but is strongly recommended) and write it down;
What is a marker in golf?
In golf, the "marker" is someone who is tasked with recording your scores. Think of it this way: The marker is the one marking down your scores on the scorecard . Markers, in this sense, are probably most visible to recreational golfers when we are watching the pros play on TV.
What should the marker do after each hole in golf?
After each hole during the round, the marker should confirm with the player the number of strokes on that hole ( including strokes made and penalty strokes) and enter that gross score on the scorecard.". And another section addresses the player's responsibilities, which include that the golfer:
Why do you have to sign a scorecard at the end of a round?
That's because they are serving as each other's markers. If you play a round of golf and a marker is keeping your score , he or she will give you your scorecard at the end of the round for you to check and sign. It is the player's responsibility to make sure the scores are correct before signing the scorecard, even when a marker was ...
What is the marker on a golf scorecard?
It is the player's responsibility to make sure the scores are correct before signing the scorecard, even when a marker was the person writing down your scores. "Marker" is a term that appears throughout the Official Rules of Golf, so ...
Do you have to sign a scorecard after the marker?
Turn the scorecard over to the golfer. As noted at the beginning, making sure the scores on the card are correct is the obligation of the golfer, who should check and sign his or her scorecard after the marker has done so. The marker, even if its another golfer, is not subject to penalty if there are any good-faith mistakes on the scorecard.
Can a marker be disqualified for a good faith mistake?
The marker, even if its another golfer, is not subject to penalty if there are any good-faith mistakes on the scorecard. However, if the marker knowingly writes down an incorrect score, or knowingly attests (by signing the card) to an incorrect score, the marker (if it's a fellow-competitor) will also be disqualified.
What is an out of bounds line?
Where out of bounds is defined by white stakes or a fence, the out of bounds line is the nearest inside points at ground level of the stakes or fence posts. When a line on the ground is used, the line itself is out of bounds.
What is the ball in bounds?
A ball is in bounds when any part of the ball: Lies on or touches the ground or anything else (such as any natural or artificial object) inside the boundary edge, or. Is above the boundary edge or any other part of the course. Where out of bounds is defined by white stakes or a fence, the out of bounds line is the nearest inside points ...
What are the rules of golf?
Rules Of Golf: Out Of Bounds. Out of bounds may be defined in a number of ways – white stakes, lines on the ground, fences, walls, railings – but if your ball has strayed beyond them, the first thing to remember is that there is no option within the Rules to drop a ball under penalty at the point where your ball crossed ...
How to play a ball that is lying in bounds?
1) You may stand out of bounds to play a ball that is lying in bounds. 2) The out of bounds line extends vertically upwards, so if your ball is lodged in a tree on the boundary, you will have to make your judgment on that basis.
Is a ball in bounds if it is on the course side?
However, a ball is deemed in bounds still even if only a small part of it lies on the course side of the boundary line. If white stakes are used at intervals, the out of bounds line is the direct line from one stake to the next.
Can you remove white out of bounds stakes?
This means that you get no free relief if the fence, railings or wall impede your stance, backswing or follow-through, and that white out of bounds stakes may not be removed to facilitate your next shot.
