If you’ve ever been to a golf course, you’ve likely seen red, yellow, and sometimes white stakes littering the terrain. To the untrained eye, these might seem like nothing more than decorations for a pop of color in an endless sea of green.
But to those who know better, the stakes indicate danger for any golfer. Knowing what they mean can save you a lot of headaches, and a lot of golf balls, in the future.
Here is the difference between yellow & red stakes in golf!
Red and Yellow Stakes
According to the Rules of Golf set by the USGA:
- Yellow stakes are to be used for all the hazards that a player can encounter
- Red stakes are used for lateral water hazards. When stakes are used alone they’re considered parts of the hazard, so players taking relief must drop the ball outside of the stakes. They are also sometimes used to make grounds that are under repair or areas that are out of bounds for players.
Under the rules, the flags must also be placed under the natural contours of the hazard as much as possible.
Bottom Line…
And that was what you needed to know about the difference between yellow & red stakes in golf. With the proper aim and great accuracy, be sure to avoid these areas and score as low as possible!