All About On-Course Stakes & Markers
Welcome to May, and (hopefully) better weather with lots of golf! In this Newsletter we will share some information about ON-COURSE STAKES & MARKERS.
Distance Markers
You may have already noticed the new, tall and easy to see BLUE, WHITE & RED distance markers on the course. But what do they mean? Most seasoned golfers know how to read these markers, however players new to the game may not. Each marker is a clear and straight forward indicator of the distance (as the crow flies) from the marker to the centre of the green.
BLUE – 200 yards to the centre of the green
WHITE – 150 yards to the centre of the green
RED – 100 yards to the centre of the green
Penalty Area and Out-Of-Bounds Markers
There are 3 different colours of boundary markers on a golf course that provide easily identifiable boundaries between the “General Area” of the course, the “Penalty” areas and “Out-Of-Bounds” areas.
- RED and YELLOW Boundary Markers – define the edge of the penalty areas.
- WHITE Boundary Markers – define the edge of the Out-Of-Bounds (OB) area.
How To Play Your Ball (and correctly score) from Marked Boundary Areas
RED Penalty Markers
You may play your ball – if possible - from inside this defined area with no added penalty strokes.
There are 3 other available options, each with a 1 stroke penalty:
- Option A – All The Way Back
Return to where you last hit your ball and play from there. (Called “stroke-and-distance”.)
- Option B – Back On The Line
Define a line from the flag, through where your ball first crossed into the penalty area and go back as far as you like on this line. You may drop your ball within 1 club length on either side of this line. (Note, this line can even cross bodies of water or result in play from another fairway!)
- Option C – 2 Club Lengths Movement
Define a line 2 club lengths from where your ball first crossed into the penalty area, and no closer to the hole. Drop your ball behind this line.
You can use these options even when you can't find your ball and you are certain that it is lost in the penalty area.
An easy way to remember the ABC options is A for ALL the way back, B for BACK on the line and C for (2) CLUB lengths. Click to view a diagram of the ABC Options.
YELLOW Penalty Markers
While there are currently no Yellow penalty area stakes on our course, it is good to know your options. Yellow boundary markers are often used around all or some portions of bodies of water. Only the two options A and B (as above) are available for use, each with 1 penalty stroke. Click to view a diagram of the available options.
In all above cases, don’t forget to count the original stroke you took that put you across or into the Red or Yellow penalty areas.
WHITE “Out-Of-Bounds” Markers
These markers define the “Out-Of-Bounds” areas surrounding the course. Out-Of-Bounds areas may be on Club property or may be on adjacent property. Regardless, you may NOT play your ball (even if you find it), or another ball, from any Out-Of-Bounds areas. Ever! Period! And you may not utilize the A-B-C Options used when in penalty areas.
There are two options available should you hit your ball out-of-bounds:
- OB Option #1 – Stroke-and-Distance. Return to where you last hit your ball and play from there. Add one penalty stroke. Don’t forget to count the stroke that got you in trouble in the first place!
- OB Option #2 –Local Rule E-5 Alternative to Stroke & Distance. In effect for general play only and NOT in competitions, unless specifically stated in the event criteria.
Define a line from where your ball first crossed out of bounds up to 2 club lengths into the fairway, no closer to the hole. Drop your ball anywhere behind this line. Add 2 penalty strokes plus the original stroke that put your ball out of bounds in the first place. Click here to read more details on Local Rule E-5. Click to view the diagram.
Good to know info: You can remove distance markers and red and yellow penalty area markers if they interfere with the ball, your stance or your swing. Don't forget to put them back in the ground when you are done! You cannot move white penalty markers, even if they cause interference.
Ground Under Repair (GUR) Markers
From time to time some spots in the general area may be under repair and, therefore, out of play. These areas may be marked or identified in several ways, including signage and tape or painted lines on the turf. You may move your ball without penalty, using the nearest point of complete relief (NPCR).
Wait, what? Not sure how to identify nearest point of complete relief or where to drop your ball once NPCR is known? Be sure to check out our next Newsletter where this often misunderstood or misused rule will be explained, including just how exactly to proceed when you land on the cart path. We will also share some information on how and when to play a provisional ball (and how to score it!)
Your Rules & Handicap Committee
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