The Meaning of Colored Stakes and Lines on the Golf Course
- White Stakes and White Lines on a Golf Course. White stakes or white lines are used to indicate out-of-bounds. ...
- Yellow Stakes and Yellow Lines. Yellow stakes and lines indicate a water hazard. ...
- Red Stakes and Red Lines. Red stakes and lines indicate a lateral water hazard. ...
- Less Common Colors Used on Golf Course Stakes. ...
What do red Stakes and lines mean 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 …
What do the Stakes on a golf course mean?
Red stakes or lines on a golf course indicate a lateral water hazard. Similar to a water hazard, it is an area that at least sometimes has water in it. However unlike the water hazard (marked by yellow lines and typically is a pond that must be crossed directly), the lateral hazard is typically adjacent to the typical line of play and isn’t necessarily crossed in regular play.
What do the yellow stakes mean on a golf course?
· The red stakes on a golf course indicate a 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.
What is a white stake on a golf course?
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...
What is the difference between red and yellow stakes on a golf course?
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.
Can you hit from red stakes?
When a golfer hits their ball in a red-stake lateral water hazard, the golfer has two options to drop the ball, take relief and incur a one-stroke penalty: Drop the ball within two clublengths of where the ball last crossed the margin (boundary) of the hazard, making sure the ball is no closer to the hole.
What do white and red stakes mean 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 difference between a red and yellow hazard?
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.
Can you move red stake golf?
Red and Yellow Stakes Yes, you may move them. Before making a stroke, you may move a red or yellow stake anywhere on the golf course even if your ball lies in a penalty area.
What happens if you hit your tee shot in the water?
Another huge change to the rules of golf is how to drop your golf ball. Whether you hit one in the water, take an unplayable or need relief, you previously had to drop the ball from shoulder height. Now you must take a drop from your knees. In fact, if you drop from your shoulders, you're actually given a penalty shot!
How do you play red stakes in golf?
The red stakes on a golf course indicate a 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.
What is a blue stake 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.
What Colour Stakes is out of bounds?
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.)
How do you drop off red stakes?
Drop your ball within a one club-length arc of that point not nearer the hole and then play it. There is a penalty of one stroke. You must drop in the same area of the course as your reference point. So if your reference point is in the general area, your relief area must also be in the general area.
What is the rule if you hit your ball out of bounds?
What to Do When Ball Is Lost or Out of Bounds. If 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).
Can you play out of yellow stakes?
Yellow 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.
What color are golf stakes?
Penalty areas now have a default marking colour of red. 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.
Where do you tee the ball up in golf?
If the original shot was a tee shot, you may tee the ball up in any part of the teeing area.
How many strokes is a penalty?
This can be in any part of the course other than the same penalty area. Again, the penalty is one stroke. If you’re not 100% sure where it crossed, estimate the spot to the best of your ability.
How to play golf if you're not sure where you last played?
To proceed, find where you last played from as a reference point, estimating the spot if you’re not sure. Drop your ball within a one club-length arc of that point not nearer the hole and then play it. There is a penalty of one stroke. You must drop in the same area of the course as your reference point.
What color are penal areas?
But the Rules also allow Committees to expand their use to incorporate areas that do not contain water. Penalty areas now have a default marking colour of red. Red stakes in golf (or lines) allow the additional lateral relief option (see below).
Can you play a golf ball as it lies?
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. If you opt to play it, there is no penalty for touching the ground or water with your hand or club.
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.
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.
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 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;
What does the blue line mean in a GUR?
Blue Stakes: Uncommon, but they are sometimes used to denote ground under repair. (More commonly, GUR is denoted by a white line painted around the area.) Check with your head pro or starter for further information, if not shown on the scorecard or Conditions of Competition.
Where is the drop in golf?
The drop can be taken within two club-lengths of the point where the ball crossed the margin of the hazard, no nearer the hole. Or a golfer can go to the opposite side of the hazard and drop at a spot on the hazard's margin that is equidistant from the hole.
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 does yellow stakes and lines mean?
Yellow stakes and lines indicate a water hazard. Why are indicators needed for a water hazard? Shouldn't a water hazard be obvious?
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 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.
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.
How to deal with a one stroke penalty?
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.
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 does yellow lines mean on a golf course?
The yellow lines on a golf course mean the same – a regular or normal water hazard.
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.
Can golf course markers be used as out-of-bounds indicators?
It is worth noting that a golf course could also use other markers as out-of-bounds indicators such as a fence.
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 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 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 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 white stake?
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.
How many club lengths do you need to stand for your next shot?
This is useful when facing lateral water hazards (which are red staked) as you would need roughly two club lengths of space to stand for your next shot. And, as long as your lie is decent around the drop zone, this is often one of the more popular options a golfer can take as it doesn’t sacrifice the distance you gained in your last shot.
What are the hazards in golf?
Hazards can be a wide range of natural or man-made obstacles on the golf course such as lakes, rivers, sand traps, and so on. That’s not all though, in practice, anything with red or yellow stakes around it can be considered a hazard during your round.
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.
