Author: Kay B

PENALTY AREAS

RED STAKES/YELLOW STAKES

RULE 17

When you are certain that your ball has entered a penalty area (water hazard) whether it be lined with red or yellow stakes below are the options you are allowed to follow under the Rules of golf.

1^st option.

Play another ball from where you are currently, i.e., where made your last stroke. 

Continue play with a one stroke penalty.

2^nd option.

Go down to where you believe or saw you ball cross the margin/edge of the penalty area.  If you can see your ball in the penalty area you may play it as it lies.  You may ground your club, and make practice swings.  

Continue play with NO penalty.

3^rd option.  Regardless of whether the stakes are RED or YELLOW

Determine the point where you estimate your ball last crossed the margin/edge of the penalty area and you may drop a ball in a relief area on a line going straight back from the hole through this estimated point.  The relief area is one club length in size either side of the point where you intend to drop a ball. You may go back on this line as far as you wish.

 Continue play with one stroke penalty.

4^th option ONLY if the stakes are RED.

Red stakes usually line penalty areas which run laterally, as in along the course rather than across it making dropping a ball behind, in line with the pin, very difficult.  

Determine the point where you estimate your ball last crossed the margin/edge of this RED penalty area and drop a ball laterally within a two-club length relief area no closer to the hole.  This area is wedge shaped from your reference point where the ball crossed the margin.  See page 106 of your small 2019 Rules book for a great diagram.

Continue play with a one stroke penalty.  

Hilary

Hole #12 has a path along the left side of its fairway. Where it is bordered by the lake, penalty area, it is lined with round wood pilings. This path continues over the water and up to the back of the green.

Below is how to play your ball if it lands in the pilings or on the cart path .

The pilings are NOT in the water, penalty area, as can be seen by the red stakes that are attached to them along the water side. If your ball lands in them you get free relief on to the cart path, Rule 16.

If your ball is on the cart path you may take free relief from the path, Rule 16.

For our play if your ball is lodged in the pilings, you may do both these actions in one step.

Find your nearest point of relief in the grass where your feet are not on the path and drop a ball within one club length, no closer to the hole. Play on, no penalty. It MUST be your nearest point of relief so you may not go further out onto the fairway and play a ball!

Discovery Bay RECLAMATION DISTRICT 800 is responsible for the circulation of the lakes and lagoons that run through our course. On their official waterways map the path that runs across the water on hole #12 is designated as a bridge. Our club has deemed that this bridge, for terms of playing our course, is not a bridge but a cart path.

This area is played the same as above, free relief from pilings, and free relief from the “cart path”.

Hilary