Hi Everyone,
Just letting everyone know the lake on the 3rd Hole tees are now Red Stakes, from Yellow Stakes.
This means the lake has gone from a Water Hazard to a Lateral Water Hazard.
Refer to below for clarification on Relief from Water Hazards and Lateral Water Hazards.
Relief from Water Hazards
Under Rule 26-1, a player hitting into a water hazard has several relief options, all of which carry a one-stroke penalty. He may play a new ball from the spot at which he hit into the hazard. He also may drop a ball behind the hazard, provided that the spot at which his ball last crossed the hazard remains directly between the dropping point and the hole.
With respect to a lateral water hazard, the player may also drop within two club lengths of the spot where his shot last crossed the hazard's margin -- provided it's not nearer to the hole -- or within two club lengths of a point on the opposite side of the hazard that's no closer to the hole. Additionally, a tournament committee may make a local rule that establishes a specific drop zone for a water hazard.
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.
When stakes are used alone they're considered parts of the hazard, so players taking relief must drop the ball outside of the stakes.
If lines are drawn to define the hazard, the lines become part of the hazard while stakes only help to identify the hazard, and are typically placed outside of the lines. Stakes within a water hazard are considered immovable obstructions. 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.
Further Rules - Placing the Stakes
According to USGA Decision 33-2a/4, the stakes or lines that mark the boundaries of a water hazard should follow the hazard's natural contours as much as possible. The hazard typically includes any ground that slopes down into the watery area.
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