What do the Red Stakes and lines mean on a golf course?
Feb 24, 2021 · Red stakes in golf (or lines) allow the additional lateral relief option (see below). However, Committees may still use yellow stakes or lines in some instances, from which the lateral relief option would not be available.
What do the yellow stakes mean on a golf course?
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. That is, it runs alongside or adjacent to the line of play, rather than across it.
What do the Stakes on a golf course mean?
· 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. That is, it runs alongside or adjacent to the line of play, rather than across it.
What do you do with red stakes in penalty areas?
One such rule is what to do when a lateral hazard marked by red stakes comes into play in penalty areas. When the USGA and R&A gave the Rules of Golf a makeover, which went into effect on January 1, 2019, the word "hazard" was completely eliminated from the Rules. Instead, all areas of water that were previously marked as water hazards are now referred to as penalty areas, and …
Can you hit out of red stakes?
Lateral relief allows you to drop a ball into a relief area measured from where your ball last crossed the edge of red penalty area. From that reference point, you are allowed to drop outside the penalty area and anywhere within two club-lengths of that spot, no nearer to the hole (see Rule 17.1d(3)).
What is the difference between yellow and red stakes in golf?
Simply put, a yellow hazard is a “regular” water hazard and you have two options to play. A red hazard is a “lateral” water hazard and comes with four options to play your ball.Nov 1, 2016
Can you play your ball from red stakes?
You may play it as it lies There is nothing to stop you playing the ball as it lies in a penalty area marked with red stakes in golf if safe (and perhaps wise!) to do so.Feb 24, 2021
What is the difference between white and red stakes in golf?
Unlike red and yellow stakes, white stakes do not represent a hazard, but instead communicate what areas are “out of bounds” for the course you're playing. While some courses choose to make everything red/yellow staked, when you do see white stakes there is a very specific procedure you must follow.Feb 15, 2016
What is the new OB rule in golf?
This option allows the player to drop in a large area between the point where the ball is estimated to have come to rest or gone out of bounds and the edge of the fairway of the hole being played that is not nearer the hole. The player gets two penalty strokes when using this relief option.
Can you remove a red stake in golf?
Yes. A penalty area stake is a movable obstruction and you may move them if you want (see Rule 15.2a). However, while rare, some penalty area stakes cannot be moved (for example, when the course has set the stake into a concrete base).
What do yellow posts mean in golf?
When it is known or virtually certain that a ball is in a yellow penalty area and the player wishes to take relief, the player has two options, each for one penalty stroke: (1) The player may take stroke-and-distance relief by playing the original ball or another ball from a relief area based on where the previous ...
What do yellow stakes in golf mean?
a water hazardYellow stake A set of yellow stakes or lines indicates a water hazard. These stakes can also indicate what is considered a water hazard but doesn't always have water in it. A golfer is allowed to play their ball from a water hazard, if possible, without grounding their club in the hazard before the stroke.Jul 25, 2016
What do white stakes in golf mean?
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.Jun 21, 2020
What does 3 off the tee mean?
A Provisional ball, as described, is ALWAYS classed as '3 off the Tee' - provisionally! You must announce it as a 'provisional ball', otherwise it isn't provisional, so becomes the ball in play (and 3 off the tee).Nov 3, 2015
What do green stakes mean in golf?
environmentally sensitive areasGreen. This is yet another rarely used marking color on a golf course. But when a course has a green stake in some parts it usually means those areas are ESA or environmentally sensitive areas.
Does it count if you hit the pin in golf?
The R&A and USGA have today confirmed that if a golf ball hits a hole liner and it then bounces out of the cup that it DOES NOT count as being holed.Jun 29, 2020
What does the red line on the ground mean?
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 ...
What is lateral water hazard?
A lateral water hazard is differentiated from a "regular" water hazard by the fact that it is, well, lateral. That is, it runs alongside or adjacent to the line of play, rather than across it. Picture a typical water hazard, say, a creek that crosses the fairway or a pond in front of the putting green.
Who is Brent Kelley?
Tom Pennington/Getty Images. Brent Kelley is an award-winning sports journalist and golf expert with over 30 years in print and online journalism. 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.
What are penalty areas?
Instead, all areas of water that were previously marked as water hazards are now referred to as penalty areas, and those areas can now also include areas of desert, jungle, lava rock or other terrain.
Is the 18th green a water hazard?
If you’re still referring to that pond protecting the 18th green as a water hazard, there are a few things you could learn about water, penalty areas and the Rules of Golf that could actually help your game. When the USGA and R&A gave the Rules of Golf a makeover, which went into effect on January 1, 2019, the word "hazard" was completely ...
Who is John Wagner?
John Wagner is a certified golf instructor and professional golfer with over eight years of experience. As a certified GolfTEC and Chuck Cook golf instructor, he has given over 3,000 golf lessons. John writes for GolfLink.com and has over 40 articles published.
What happens if you cross a hazard with a red stake?
In addition to the three options above, if your ball crosses into a hazard marked with red stakes you can choose to take a penalty stroke and drop a new ball two club lengths from where the ball entered the hazard (as long as it isn’t any closer to the hole).
What is the third option in golf?
Option 3: Your third and final option is to take a penalty stroke and then replay your shot from its original location. While this is usually not a golfer’s first choice, sometimes the angle you had during your last shot was better than the one you would have next to the hazard.
What is the first option in a hazard?
Your first option in any hazard is to simply play the ball out. You don’t have to take a penalty stroke, you simply play your next shot as you would outside of a hazard. Here’s the catch though…. In a hazard, you’re not allowed to move impediments (sticks, leaves, etc.) out of the way as you set up for your shot.
What does the yellow stakes on a golf course mean?
The yellow stakes on a golf course indicate a water hazard. You could argue that a water hazard is too obvious to put a mark on, yes, but there are cases when this marking works including but are not limited to indicating a ditch as a water hazard.
What happens when you go out of bounds?
When you go out-of-bounds, the stroke-and-distance penalty applies which means you get a one-stroke penalty and play the ball again from the previous spot. And because the nature of complying to this penalty takes time, hitting a provisional ball instead is a good alternative. More on this can be found in Rule 27.
What is lateral water hazard?
A lateral water hazard is different from a normal water hazard for it is lateral or it runs alongside the line of play. Simply put, a normal water hazard runs across the line of play while the lateral water hazard runs adjacent to the line of play. The red lines on a golf course also indicate a lateral water hazard.
What is a red stake?
Red stake. A set of red stakes marks the margin of a lateral water hazard. Really, this should be the only kind of water hazard there is, but we digress. A lateral water hazard is water that can come into play with a poor shot, but it runs alongside or adjacent to the intended line of play.
What does a white stake mean in golf?
It marks out of bounds, either indicating the property line (which can include a fence) or a part of the property where golf isn't to be played. If you find your ball on the wrong side of a white stake, you're taking what's called a stroke-and-distance penalty. That means you have to add 1 stroke to your score and rehit the shot you just played from the same spot. If the shot was from the tee, however, a player can go back to the tee box and pick a new spot to tee up and effectively start the hole over again. White lines can also be used to indicate drop zones and ground under repair, which is a spot on the course from which you shouldn't play and you'll get a free drop no nearer the hole.
Definitions to know
Water Hazard: A Water Hazard is marked with yellow stakes and/or yellow line. This is also referred to as a Direct Water Hazard.
Situation 1
Ken and Kate are playing golf on a fabulous golf course. The only problem they are having is negotiating all the water hazards that seem to be on every hole. Kate and Kate tee up on the 9th hole and Kate’s shot takes a right pathway off the clubface and heads right into the water.
Situation 2
Kate and Ken continue their round after Kate’s bummer-of-a-9th hole and all seems to be peachy until they come to hole 16. Ken tees up and stripes one down the middle. Kate steps up and crushes the ball down the right side of the fairway but she is yelling ‘SIT’.
Final Take
There is no player out in the world of golf that likes to hit into a hazard. It happens and when it does, it makes for a better round of golf knowing the rules and getting yourself back into play. Knowing The Rules of Golf make the game more fun for you and your playing partners.
What are the stakes on a golf course?
Stakes may be used throughout a golf course to indicate the status of certain areas, such as ground under repair or out of bounds areas. Some stakes are white, but stakes -- or lines drawn on the ground – that mark the boundaries of water hazards must be either red or yellow, according to the United States Golf Association’s Rules of Golf.
What are the different types of stakes in golf?
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 are water hazards in golf?
Common water hazards include ponds or small lakes, but a drainage ditch will also be considered a water hazard if it normally contains water, even if the ditch is dry on a particular day.
What is the rule for free relief in golf?
Players are not entitled to free relief if stakes within a hazard render a ball unplayable, according to Note 1 of Rule 24-2b. Free relief is available under Rule 24 if both the ball and the stakes are outside of a water hazard.
What is lateral water hazard?
Lateral Water Hazard. A water hazard may be designated as a lateral water hazard when the hazard's shape or position on the course makes it difficult or impossible to drop the ball in accordance with the rules while maintaining a fair playing position.
