Yellow Stakes
Yellow stakes mark a penalty area from which you may take relief only with a penalty stroke and limited options.
Yellow stakes or yellow lines mark the classic water hazard, officially called "Penalty Area" since the 2019 rules. Included are ponds, lakes, rivers and streams, but also areas that the club defines, for example dense scrub or gorges. Yellow stands for the stricter variant compared with the red stakes, which offer additional relief options. If your ball lands in a yellow penalty area and you cannot or do not want to play it, the relief costs a penalty stroke.
With yellow marking you have exactly two options. First: return to the spot from which you played the last stroke and a new stroke from there. Second: drop on an imaginary line that runs from the hole through the point at which your ball last crossed the penalty area — as far back as you like, but never nearer to the hole. Example: your Approach lands in the pond in front of the green. You go to the spot where the ball flew over the bank and drop on the extension of this line behind it. You count the stroke into the water plus one penalty stroke and continue playing.
There are two typical mistakes. First, some drop sideways from the entry point as with red stakes — that is not allowed with yellow and costs further penalty strokes. Second: anyone who is unsure whether the ball is even in the hazard should clarify it with certainty, otherwise playing from a wrong place threatens. In doubt a look into the local rules is worthwhile, because some areas are marked red despite water.
FAQ
What may I do if my ball lies in a yellow-marked penalty area?
You have two options, each against a penalty stroke: either you play again from the spot of the last stroke, or you drop on an imaginary line from the hole through the point at which your ball last crossed the penalty area — as far back as you like, but never nearer to the hole. Of course you may also play the ball directly in the hazard where it lies; that costs no penalty stroke.
What is the difference between yellow and red stakes?
Yellow stands for the stricter variant: you keep only the two classic options. With red stakes a third is added — you may additionally drop sideways from the entry point within two club lengths, not nearer to the hole. Anyone who drops sideways with yellow as with red incurs further penalty strokes.
What do I do if I am not sure whether my ball is in the penalty area?
Then clarify that with certainty before you drop, otherwise playing from a wrong place threatens. In doubt a look into the local rules is worthwhile, because some areas are marked red despite water. If the ball is possibly lost elsewhere, play a provisional ball to be safe.