What does'out of bounds'mean on a golf course?
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 .
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 do the colors on a golf course mean?
What do the colors mean? White stakes or white lines are used to indicate out-of-bounds. (A course can mark out-of-bounds in other ways, too; for example, a fence might mark the boundary along certain parts of a course.)
What is a boundary on a golf course?
*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.
Is the red line in golf out of bounds?
When a line on the ground is used, the line itself is out of bounds. 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.
How is 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's the difference between yellow and red 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's the difference between red and white 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.
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 do yellow stakes in golf mean?
So if you see yellow stakes or yellow lines on a golf course now, they designate a yellow penalty area: a place from which you can attempt to play your golf ball, if, in fact, it appears playable, but from which you'll most likely have to take a drop and apply a penalty stroke.
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 does white stakes 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.
What is the rule for white stakes in golf?
White stake 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.
What does Blue Stakes mean in golf?
Blue Stake. A blue stake denotes a waste bunker and is also a movable obstruction. You are allowed to ground the club, and you may have a practice swing hitting the sand. You may also remove a blue stake if it interferes with your stance or stroke, whether you are standing in the bunker or not.
How many strokes if you hit in the water?
A player drives the ball off the tee further than expected and lands in a yellow line water hazard lying deep in the fairway. This player will take a one-stroke penalty and can reshoot off the tee or take a shot from where the ball crossed the hazard margin.
What are blue markers in golf?
Blue tee markers denote the teeing ground used for local or club championship play in tournaments, and is the tee used by skilled male players who have a low handicap. This tee is almost always the longest yardage for each hole, unless the course has black or gold tees.
What is the rule if you hit your ball 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.
Is a lost ball a 2 stroke penalty?
The correct method of play would be to return to the spot from which the original ball was last played, and under penalty of one stroke, continue play from there. Yes, that means that a lost ball is a stroke and distance penalty.
What is the rule if you hit your tee shot out of bounds?
What this means is that you incur a one-stroke penalty and need to go back to the point from where you hit your last shot. For example, if you hit your tee shot out of bounds, you incur a one-shot penalty, must go back to the tee, hitting your third shot.
How many strokes is OB in golf?
The penalty for OB is commonly called “stroke and distance.” This means that a one-stroke penalty is added to the score, and the ball must then be dropped as nearly as possible to the spot from which the original shot was played.
What does a yellow line on a golf ball mean?
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. If the ball isn't playable, then the golfer can take a 1-stroke penalty and use one of two options: return to the original spot of the last shot and drop the ball as near as possible to that spot to hit again, or, keeping a line between themselves, the flag and where the ball crossed the hazard line, they can drop as far back from the hazard as they choose.
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.
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 are the different types of stakes on a golf course?
You'll run into three different types of stakes (or sometimes painted lines) on a golf course: red, yellow and white. Each comes with a different set of options and related penalties, so let's break it down.
Can you hit a ball in a water hazard?
It could make the drop onerous or unfair. So, when a player hits their ball in a lateral water hazard, they have some different options. They can hit the ball from the hazard but cannot ground their club in it before hitting the ball. That's usually in water and a bad idea.
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What does red stakes mean?
Red stakes and lines indicate a lateral water hazard. A lateral water hazard is differentiated from a 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 color stakes are used to indicate a golf course?
We're talking about the colored stakes and lines golfers encounter on golf courses: Red stakes and red lines; yellow stakes and yellow lines; white stakes and white lines are the most common colors used as indicators. But golfers might also encounter blue or green stakes;
When is a ball considered a hazard?
A ball is considered in the hazard when it lies within the hazard or when any part of it touches the hazard (remember, yellow stakes and lines are themselves part of the hazard). Rules covering water hazards can be found in Rule 26 .
What is the penalty for hitting out of bounds?
Out-of-bounds brings the dreaded stroke-and-distance penalty: a golfer must apply a one-stroke penalty, return to the spot of the previous shot and hit it again. Of course, that's time consuming. So when a golfer believes his ball may be OB, it's a good idea to hit a provisional ball .
What is the penalty for a ball under water?
If a ball is under water, however, it's almost always best to apply the penalty and put a new ball into play. The penalty is one stroke. There are two options for putting a new ball into play. One is to return to the spot from which the previous stroke was played and hit it again.
What does a white line mean on a golf course?
White Stakes and White Lines on a Golf Course. White stakes or white lines are used to indicate out-of-bounds. (A course can mark out-of-bounds in other ways, too; for example, a fence might mark the boundary along certain parts of a course.) When stakes (or a fence) indicate out-of-bounds, then out-of-bounds begins at the nearest inside point ...
When a golfer takes a drop out of a water hazard, must he drop behind the?
When a golfer takes a drop out of a water hazard, he must drop behind the point where his ball crossed the margin of the hazard. The drop can be made at any point, as far back as the golfer wishes, so long as the point where the ball crossed into the hazard is kept between the point of the drop and the hole.
What happens if a player finds out his first ball is out of bounds?
If the player finds out later his first ball is in bounds, then he can pick up the provisional ball and play the first ball without incurring any penalty strokes. If the first ball was found to be out of bounds, then the player will incur a penalty stroke and play the provisional ball until it is holed.
What is provisional ball?
Hitting a Provisional Ball. Sometimes, a golfer will hit a ball and is unsure if it has gone out of bounds. To speed up play, they can elect to hit a provisional ball from the same spot. The player must announce to the rest of the group that he is hitting a provisional ball.
What happens if you hit a golf ball out of bounds?
If a player hits a ball out of bounds from the tee box, that player must hit another golf ball from the tee. The player must also take a one stroke penalty, so he will be hitting his third shot from the tee box.
What happens if you hit your ball too far left or right in golf?
That can be difficult, and when a golfer hits his ball too far left or right, it could end up out of bounds. Out of bounds on a golf course is the area in which a ball is no longer in the playing field. It is marked by white stakes. The penalty for going out of bounds is one stroke added to the score for that hole. Under no circumstances can you hit a ball that is out of bounds.
Where did Kevin Boehler go to college?
Kevin Boehler attended the University of Nebraska, where he attained a degree in professional golf management. Boehler enjoys teaching golf to others, helping them not only play better, but love the game as well. He has a vast knowledge of the golf swing and a variety of other golf-related information.
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.
What happens if your ball goes out of bounds?
If your ball is definitely out of bounds, you must play another ball from where you last played under penalty of stroke and distance (Rule 14.6) , whether from the tee or fairway. So if it was your tee-shot that had gone OOB, you would now be playing three off the tee.
What does it mean to stand out of bounds?
1) You may stand out of bounds to play a ball that is lying in bounds.
Where is the 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.
Why do referees carry string around?
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!
Why do golf courses have out of bounds?
4) Some courses have ‘internal out of bounds’ for reasons of safety or to ensure a hole is played in the way in which it was designed rather than via another potentially easier route down another fairway. Whatever you think of that, you have to honour it even if your ball is lying in the clear with a perfect route in to the green. Frustrating sometimes, but probably for the overall good of all playing the course!
How to drop a golf ball in a water hazard?
One is by dropping your ball within two club lengths of the point where the ball crosses or touches the hazard, no nearer the hole. The other is to go to the opposite side of the lateral water hazard and drop your golf ball at a spot on the hazard’s margin that is equidistant from the hole. All of these are explained in detail in Rule 26.
What are the colors of stakes and lines?
The common colors of stakes and lines you would notice are the whites, yellows and reds. Let’s examine what these colors mean and the penalties involved should you end up crossing them.
What does the red line on a golf course mean?
The red lines on a golf course also indicate a lateral water hazard. It is worth noting that a single body of water hazard could have its side marked differently depending on whether its parts run adjacent or across the line of play. That is to say a water hazard could have a yellow stake or line from one side and a red stake or line from ...
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 does the white stake mean on a golf course?
The white stakes on a golf course indicate out-of-bounds. That is, beyond the stakes’ nearest inside point is out-of-bounds.
When is a golf ball considered a water hazard?
Your ball is considered in the water hazard when it touches the yellow markers or lies within the hazard. It is also worth noting that there are two options a golfer can choose from for dealing with a one-stroke penalty due to water hazard. The first option is to play the ball from its previous spot.
What is the first option to play the ball from its previous spot?
The first option is to play the ball from its previous spot. And the other option is to take a drop – that is dropping the ball at any point behind the hazard marker that was violated. More on water hazard rules in Rule 26.
So what is out of bounds in golf?
Out of bounds is a boundary line either marked by a fence or white posts. Any ball past the inside edge of the fence or posts is considered out of bounds. The golfer is unable to play this shot and must rehit from the previous spot and take a penalty stroke.
What is the new rule for out of bounds?
For many years the only option on a lost ball or ball out of bounds was to head back to the original location to the previous shot. Now golfers have another option, if the local rule is in play. This is considered an alternative option
What is the difference between out of bounds and a hazard?
If you hit your golf ball into a hazard you can drop your ball within two clubs of the hazard, or on a lateral hazard you can move back as far as you want keeping your entry point in line with where it entered. If this was your tee shot, you would now be hitting 3 from the entry point.
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What is provisional ball?
If you are then unable to find your original ball, or you find it out of bounds, your provisional ball is your ball in play under stroke and distance, and you don’t have to take the time to walk all the way back to the spot of your previous stroke.
What to do if you hit a ball out of bounds?
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.
How far can you drop a golf ball in the fairway?
You can drop a ball in the fairway within two club-lengths of that fairway edge point, or anywhere between there and the estimated spot where your ball is lost or went out of bounds. To see this visually and learn more about how this optional Local Rule works, click here.
What is a final exception in golf?
A final exception is when a new Local Rule which provides an alternative to stroke and distance relief is in effect . This Local Rule is recommended for casual play and not for competitions involving highly-skilled players. If it is in effect, for two penalty strokes, you can estimate the spot where your ball is lost or went out ...
What does "lost" mean in baseball?
Definition of Lost. Definition of Out of Bounds. Definition of Provisional Ball. Rule 18 - Stroke-and-Distance Relief; Ball Lost or Out of Bounds; Provisional Ball.
What hole did Bryson hit the fence?
At the 6th hole at TPC Southwind, Bryson flared his tee shot into a fence on the right-hand side of the fairway. The ball was trapped beneath the fence, which marked the boundary of the course, and DeChambeau called in a Rules official.
What is an out of bounds object?
Out of bounds is usually defined by white lines or boundary objects, which could be stakes, a wall, or a fence, and here’s where the string comes in handy.
What is the boundary edge of a line?
So to sum up – if you’re faced with out of bounds lines, the boundary edge is the course-side edge of the line. The line is out.
What does it mean when a course is in?
If any part of it is inside that boundary edge, is above it, below it, or any other part of the course, it’s in.
Is a ball at rest out of bounds?
When people saw the footage of his ball under the fence, they assumed it had to be OOB but the Rules say a ball at rest is out of bounds only when “all of it is outside the boundary edge of the course”.
