Water Hazard

Any natural or artificial body of water on a golf course including ponds, lakes, rivers, streams, ditches, and drainage areas that can affect play when a ball enters the hazard. Water hazards are marked with yellow stakes (regular hazards) or red stakes (lateral hazards) and have specific rules for relief options. Players may play the ball as it lies in the hazard, take a penalty drop, or return to the previous shot location. Water hazards add strategic challenge to hole design and require careful course management to avoid penalty strokes.