Category: Rules of Golf

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 you 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, 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 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 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 last crossed the margin.  See page 109 of your Rules book for a great diagram. Continue play with a one stroke penalty.  

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How to drop a ball if on hole #11, your ball goes over the lake, hits the land and then bounces back into the penalty area.  This is ONLY applicable for penalty areas marked in RED 

This relief is for red staked penalty areas ONLY such as we find on our hole #11.  

You cannot use this relief method if your ball bounces back into a penalty area marked with YELLOW stakes e.g. As on hole #3 or #13 where the penalty areas cross the fairway! 

Hilary

All: 

Don’t ruin your game by being DQ’d, enjoy reading how not to…

There are several ways a player can be disqualified in a golf tournament, most are lapses in judgment, not outright cheating. 

1.  Have more than 14 clubs in your bag.  Breaching Rule 4.1b(1) is a two stroke  penalty per hole in Stroke play for a maximum of two holes, 4 strokes.  Once you realize you have too many clubs you must declare them out of play immediately or be disqualified.  

• Signing an incorrect scorecard.  The Tournament Committee is responsible for adding the scores and putting the correct handicap for each player on the scorecard but if you sign for a lower score, you will be disqualified, Rule 3.3b (2).

• Agreeing to ignore a Rule or penalty.  If two or more players agree to ignore a Rule or penalty that they know should be enforced, they will be disqualified.  Rule 1.3b (1).

• Playing starting a hole from outside the teeing area.  Breaching Rule 6.2b in Stroke play incurs a two stroke penalty and the player must correct and play a ball from inside the teeing area.  If the player fails to correct and finishes that hole and proceeds to make a stroke to begin the next hole they will be disqualified.   

• Playing a Wrong ball.  If you play a wrong ball and finish the hole with that ball and then tee off at the next hole you will be disqualified. Rule 6.3c.

• Standards of Player Conduct, Rule 1.2.   If you disagree with the course set up and move the tee markers or boundary stakes you will be disqualified.  If you endanger the other players by throwing clubs or constantly disrupting play with vulgar or offensive language you may be disqualified.  Also, if you deliberately distract other players while they are making a stroke you may be disqualified.

• Playing from a Wrong place, Rule 14.7b (1).  A “serious breach” of this Rule is when a player gets a “significant advantage” over making a stroke from the right place.  For example, when a player takes a drop when their ball goes into a penalty area (e.g. a water hazard) which is marked with yellow stakes but takes a drop on the wrong side of the hazard as if the hazard is marked with red stakes.  They must drop on the side closer to where they last played NOT drop a ball on the far side, closer to the hole.  They have a serious advantage in distance and must correct and play from the right place.  If they do not correct before making a stroke to begin another hole the player is disqualified.  (Smaller breaches when very small distances are involved incur a two stroke  penalty, not disqualification.) 

• A participant in a Stroke play competition is not allowed to practice on the course on the day of the competition and will be disqualified Rule 5.2b.

• Finally, and probably the most well-known example for disqualification, “failure to sign your scorecard.” This has become a very contentious issue in the world of Golf Rules and in 2023 the R&A and the USGA introduced a Local Rule, L-1 to allow a player who does not sign their scorecard to be assessed a two stroke penalty NOT disqualification.  The R&A and USGA are testing the use of this Local Rule, L1  until 2027 when they will decide if it will become a permanent Rule penalty change.  Be very certain that any competition you play the Committee has allowed this Local Rule L-1 to be in effect for the tournament, if not you will be disqualified if you fail to sign your scorecard.  

I hope this helps you.

Hilary

Everyone:

Please see the video below of Rory at Pebble Beach this weekend and then read my explanation below.  I hope this helps you.

If you want to use the “Back on the Line” relief option when permitted under a Rule you must be careful where you drop your ball. As you can see in the video it cost Rory a two stroke penalty.

When using this option a player may drop a ball behind the spot of the original ball as far back as they like, keeping the spot of the original ball between the hole and the spot where the ball is dropped. When dropped the ball must land on that line and the ball cannot go out of the relief area which is one club length in any direction from where the ball landed on that line. 

Rory found the line but proceeded to drop his ball in the relief area straight away rather than dropping it on the line first.  As he played from a “Wrong place” he incurred a two stroke penalty. Ouch.

You can find an easy to understand diagram of the relief options for this Rule on page 262 of the Official Guide to the Rules of Golf.  

Also as reminder, thanks to Cathy H, if you haven’t already, download the Rules of Golf app from USGA.org to your mobile device. It’s very easy to use and easier than carrying the heavy Rules book with you!  Also they have regular updates to the Rules so you won’t be behind the times like Rory….

Hilary