What Is a Lateral Hazard in Golf?
Lateral Hazard: Now called a red penalty area — a hazard running alongside the line of play.
Lateral Hazard — full definition
Now called a red penalty area under the Rules of Golf, a lateral hazard is a body of water or marked area that runs alongside or adjacent to the line of play. When your ball enters a red penalty area, you may take relief with a one-stroke penalty by dropping within two club-lengths of where the ball last crossed the edge, no closer to the hole.
Lateral Hazard — frequently asked
Lateral Hazard — what are your relief options?
- Drop within two club-lengths of where the ball last crossed the edge (one-stroke penalty)
- Must drop no closer to the hole
- Can also replay from the original spot or drop on a line behind the hazard
Lateral Hazard — how do you identify one?
- Marked by red stakes or red lines
- Typically water or marshy areas running alongside holes
More on Lateral Hazard
Red penalty areas are a design feature before they are a rules problem — some regions are full of them.
- Hardest courses in FloridaWater-lined layouts where the red-stake decision comes up every round.
- Score differential calculatorPenalty strokes count; this is where they land.
Other rules & penalties
Stymie
A historic golf term for when an opponent’s ball blocked your path to the hole on the putting green.
Out of Bounds
The area beyond the course boundary, marked by white stakes or a fence.
Provisional Ball
A second ball played from the same spot when you think your original may be lost or out of bounds.
Unplayable Lie
You can declare your ball unplayable anywhere except in a penalty area, with three relief options.
Ground Under Repair
A marked area on the course where you get free relief — no penalty.
Embedded Ball
A ball stuck in its own pitch-mark in the general area — you get free relief.
Free Relief
Relief without penalty, available in specific situations defined by the Rules of Golf.