Red Stakes - Golf Rules

June 9th, 2008 by mulligan

Red stakes and lines indicate a lateral water hazard. A lateral water hazard is differentiated from a water hazard by the fact that it runs alongside or adjacent to the line of play, rather than directly across it.

Pretend you see a creek that crosses the fairway or a pond directly in front of and protecting green. If you hit into this type of water hazard, it’s not problem to take a drop behind the spot where your ball entered the hazard and in fact you can go as far back as you like (which can help get a better distance for your “second” approach shot!).

Now picture a creek or pond that runs alongside a hole, or a lake to the side of a fairway that extends all the way back to the tee or beyond (dreadful right?!?!). Dropping behind such a hazard might be inconvenient, or even impossible, but mostly it would be unfair. These are the primary reasons why lateral water hazards are handled differently than “normal” water hazards.

As for dealing with a ball that has entered a lateral water hazard: Golfers have the same option to play from the hazard if they so desire (We’ll talk about Yellow Stakes in another article where this might make more sense!). More than likely, a golfer will assess themselves a 1 stroke penalty and take a drop. The drop can be taken within two club lengths from the point where the ball crossed the margin of the hazard, no nearer to 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.

A ball is considered in the hazard when it lies within the hazard or when any part of it touches the hazard (remember, stakes and lines are themselves part of the hazard).

NOW that you understand the red stake, the last thing you need to know is how to “play” a shot while in the hazard. Remember you cannot “ground” your club. That is to say your club may not come into contact with ANY portion of the hazard in your practice swings (this got me once!). So play the shot as if you were in a bunker, but be aware that the long native grass can’t be touched by your club until you take your actual swing!

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