
Golf For Dummies, 4th Edition
Penalty | How to Score and Continue Play |
Out-of-bounds | Two-stroke penalty (the stroke you hit p ... |
Whiff | Count each time you swing in an effort t ... |
Unplayable lies | One-stroke penalty. Drop the ball (no ne ... |
Water hazard (yellow stakes) | One-stroke penalty. Play a ball from its ... |
What are water hazards in golf?
Tyrrell Hatton incredibly found the green from a water hazard on day three of the Hero World Challenge. The Englishman's second shot into the par-five ninth eventually found the edge of the lake and the ball seemingly disappeared under the surface, around 50 yards from the pin.
What is the water hazard in golf?
On a golf course, a "water hazard" is a pond, lake, river, stream, sea, bay, ocean or any other open water on the course, including ditches and drainage ditches.
What happens when golf ball lands in water?
When a golf ball is submerged in a lake or pond, it will begin to absorb water. It takes about 12 hours for water to penetrate the cover and find its way to the core. There are certain variables that will affect how much water a ball absorbs: The type of ball (2-piece, 3-piece, 4-piece)
What is a 2 stroke penalty in golf?
The shot is replayed from the same spot the original shot was played with a one-stroke penalty. Hit the pin while you're putting from the surface of the green and it's a two-stroke penalty. That penalty is in force even if the pin is removed from the hole and on the ground when you hit it.

Is water a 2 stroke penalty?
The penalty stroke assessed is not the stroke made on the new ball; it is counted in addition to any and all swings made at the ball. For instance, hitting a ball into a water hazard, dropping a new ball at the position from which the last one was hit, then hitting the new ball counts as three strokes, not two.
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 penalty for hitting into water?
There is a one-shot penalty and you can't drop closer to the hole, unless your ball carries over the water and rolls back in. In that instance, you can take a drop from across the hazard.
What is considered a water hazard in golf?
A "water hazard" is any sea, lake, pond, river, ditch, surface drainage ditch or other open water course (whether or not containing water) and anything of a similar nature on the course. All ground and water within the margin of a water hazard are part of the water hazard.
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.
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).
Are there any 2 stroke penalties in golf?
Placing the club head down in a bunker, unless it is in the act of striking the ball, results in a two-stroke penalty. A golfer is similarly penalized two strokes for striking a loose impediment in a hazard with their swing, such as nearby reed if striking out of a shallow water hazard.
How many penalty strokes do you get if you loose the ball in a water hazard in golf?
WATER HAZARD 1 - Play the shot as it lies (rarely possible) with no penalty shot. The club can be grounded and loose impediments can be moved. 2 - Take a 1 shot penalty and play from where the original stroke was made from.
Where do I drop my water hazard in golf?
Determine the spot where your ball last crossed the margin of the water hazard and then drop a ball on a straight line from the flagstick through that spot going back as far as you would like.
What is the difference between a water hazard and a lateral hazard?
The distinction between a water hazard and a lateral water hazard is that if a player's ball last crosses the margin of a normal water hazard it will be possible for the player to take relief by dropping a ball behind the hazard keeping the point at which the ball last crossed the margin of the hazard between the hole ...
How do you take a drop from a water hazard?
0:060:56Golf's New Rules (2019): Procedure for Taking Lateral Relief - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIn the 2019 rules club lengths are the length of the longest Club in your bag except. Your putterMoreIn the 2019 rules club lengths are the length of the longest Club in your bag except. Your putter and then drop a ball in that. Area. Your drop ball must land in and come to rest in the relief.
What is the difference between a red and yellow hazard 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.
What is a water hazard in golf?
On a golf course, a "water hazard" is a pond, lake, river, stream, sea, bay, ocean or any other open water on the course, including ditches and drainage ditches . (A " lateral water hazard " refers to specific type of water hazard that runs parallel to a golf hole, and lateral water hazrads offer slightly different options to ...
What are the rules for water hazards?
Water hazards are covered in the new rules in Rules 17 through 19. Rule 17 provides general information about do's and don'ts in penalty areas; Rule 18 covers stroke-and-distance relief, ball lost or out of bounds, and the use of a provisional ball.
What are stakes used to define the margin of or identify a water hazard?
Stakes used to define the margin of or identify a water hazard are obstructions. Note 1: Stakes or lines used to define the margin of or identify a water hazard must be yellow. Note 2: The Committee may make a Local Rule prohibiting play from an environmentally-sensitive area defined as a water hazard.
What is a yellow penalty area?
An area from which relief with a one-stroke penalty is allowed if your ball comes to rest there . There are two different types of penalty areas, distinguished by the colour used to mark them: Yellow penalty areas (marked with yellow lines or yellow stakes) give you two relief options ( (Rules 17.1d (1) and (2)).
Is it bad to play a ball out of water?
Usually, nothing good ! You always have the option to go into the water hazard and attempt to play your ball out of the water. This is generally a terrible idea. So it is far more likely you'll suffer a penalty. Water hazards are covered in the new rules in Rules 17 through 19.
What is the penalty for a flagstick in golf?
The flagstick is in the hole, unattended, and your putt strikes it. That's a 2-stroke penalty in stroke play (ball subsequently played as it lies) and loss of hole in match play.
What is the penalty for exceeding 14 in match play?
Penalty for exceeding 14 in match play is loss of hole for each hole on which the breach occurred, up to a maximum of two holes. In stroke play, the penalty is two strokes for each hole on which the breach occurred, up to a maximum of four strokes.
How to declare a golf ball unplayable?
Declaring a ball unplayable results in a 1-stroke penalty and a drop. Drop as close as possible to the spot of the unplayable lie; within two club lengths and not nearer the hole; or at any point behind the spot of the original lie, as long as that spot remains between the hole and the location of the dropped ball.
How to play a water hazard?
Otherwise, it's a stroke-plus-distance penalty. Option 1: Take a 1-stroke penalty and return to the spot of the original shot to re-play. Option 2: Take a 1-stroke penalty and drop a ball behind the water hazard (going back as far as you want), keeping the point at which the original shot crossed into the hazard directly between your drop and the hole. For a lateral water hazard, drop within two club lengths of the spot where the ball crossed the margin of the hazard (no nearer the hole), or on the opposite side of the hazard at an equidistant spot.
What is the penalty for signing a scorecard?
The penalty for signing scorecard that includes scores lower than actually recorded is a disqualification. There is no penalty for signing a scorecard that incorrectly inflates a player's score, but the higher score stands.
Is there a penalty for playing out of turn?
Playing out of Turn (Rule 10) There is no penalty for playing out of turn. Other than the scorn of other members of your group. In match play, a competitor has the option of making you re-do your shot in the correct order of play .
Can you remove a loose impediment in golf without penalty?
Players can remove loose impediments without penalty as long as the ball and the loose impediment are not both in a hazard. Through the green, if the ball moves when any loose impediment within one club length of the ball is removed, it's a 1-stroke penalty. The ball is replaced at the original spot.
Definition
The water hazard penalty comes into play in two different situations: when a ball enters a yellow line water hazard and when it enters a red line water hazard.
Result
The major difference for water hazard penalties is between red and yellow line water hazards. In the case of red line water hazards, the player has the option to play the ball out of the hazard without taking a one-stroke penalty. However, oftentimes the ball is unplayable in these situations, making that point moot.
Examples
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 happens if you lose your ball in a water hazard?
If you happen to be unfortunate enough to lose your ball in a water hazard, you will gain one extra stroke and have to drop your ball back on land a few feet from the hazard.
What happens if you lose your golf ball?
Much like a water hazard, losing your ball or shooting it out of the playing area for the hole you are on will result in an additional stroke and the ball being reset at the place you shot from.
What happens if a player moves their ball intentionally?
If the player interferes with or moves their ball intentionally, the ball is to be reset at the location it was to be hit from, and the player is given a two-stroke penalty.
How many clubs can you carry in a golf bag?
Carrying Extra Clubs. A golfer is allowed no more than 14 clubs at any given time in their golf bag. Should they be carrying more, then the golfer will get a two-stroke penalty for every hole that the extra clubs are in their bag.
What is grounding in golf?
The term "grounding" refers to when you let your club head rest on the ground prior to taking your shot from, or near, a hazard. While striking the sand when taking a shot from a sand trap is bound to happen, and is hence perfectly legal, letting your club head rest on the ground at any point before your shot or striking water in ...
Can you be penalized for playing competitively?
If you plan to play competitively, you may want to know what exactly you can be penalized so that you can prevent, as best you can, any potential negative effects on your game.
Do you get penalized for playing golf?
If you play in tournaments or just have a group of golfing buddies that are very strict about the rules , then you are bound to find yourself on the receiving end of a penalty at one time or another. With this knowledge, you now know exactly what penalties to look out for, giving you the chance to avoid them and plan accordingly during your next competitive match!
What is relief under penalty?
Relief under penalty is available from both water hazards and lateral water hazards, with the latter offering additional options for when it is impractical to drop behind the hazard. From 2019. Water hazards have been superseded by ‘penalty areas’ that include not only ponds, lakes and streams but also deserts and jungles, for example.
When did the new rules of golf come into force?
New Golf Rules Explained: Penalty Areas. The new Rules of Golf came into force in 2019 and the term ‘hazard’ is no longer of use. That’s because hazards have given way to ‘penalty areas’ to better reflect the variety of topography found on golf courses around the world.
Can you drop under penalty in a red hazard?
From 2019. From 2019, you won’t be able to drop on the opposite margin in a red penalty area.
Where is casual water in golf?
Casual water can be anywhere on a golf course outside the water hazard, which is now called the "penalty area.". If there's water somewhere in the "general area," then it's casual water or temporary water. If your ball lies in casual water, you are allowed free relief.
How to tell if your ball is in water?
The easiest way to determine if your ball is in or lying on casual water is a two-part survey: Is your ball in the general area? If your ball is in the general area, is water visible on the surface of the ground underneath your ball before or after you take your stance? In other words, does water squish up to the surface when you put your feet on ...
What is casual water?
The USGA defines "casual water" or "temporary water" as "any temporary accumulation of water on the course that is not in a water hazard and is visible before or after the player takes his or her stance.”. In other words, "casual water" is water on the golf course that isn't meant to be there by design. Casual water can be anywhere on ...
Is there a penalty for dropping a ball in a bunker?
There is no penalty. If a player finds their ball and stance in casual water in a bunker, there are two options. The player may drop the ball in the bunker at a point that provides maximum available relief (i.e., less water than the current position) without penalty.
Can you get free relief if your ball is in water?
If your ball lies in casual water, you are allowed free relief. Casual water doesn't have to be liquid, by the way. Snow and naturally occurring ice can be considered either casual water or loose impediments, at the option of the player.
Can you drop a ball in casual water?
Taking relief from casual water is pretty easy. You can pick up your ball from the casual water, clean it, and then you can drop it at the nearest point without casual water that's no nearer the hole. There is no penalty. If a player finds their ball and stance in casual water in a bunker, there are two options.
Definition of 'Water Hazard' in The Rulebook
Now Superseded by 'Penalty Area' in Rulebook
- The new term, in use as of the official rules released on Jan. 1, 2019, is "penalty area." Penalty area is a slightly more encompassing term that water hazard, but the terms are roughly synonymous. The explanation of "penalty area" in the definitions section of the new rulebookis this: An area from which relief with a one-stroke penalty is allowed if your ball comes to rest ther…
What Happens When You Hit Your Golf Ball Into A Water Hazard?
- Usually, nothing good! You always have the option to go into the water hazard and attempt to play your ball out of the water. This is generally a terribleidea. So it is far more likely you'll suffer a penalty. Water hazards are covered in the new rules in Rules 17 through 19. Rule 17 provides general information about do's and don'ts in penalty are...