23-07-2025
Golf Hazards: How to navigate your options
IN THE HUNT THRISTON Lawrence of South Africa plays a shot from the seventh tee during the first round of the 125th US OPEN at Oakmont Country Club. | AFP
WHEN a golf ball enters a hazard, the player has several options to choose from. You can choose to play your ball from the hazard, but be aware that you may incur a penalty stroke if your ball is lost, out of bounds, or unplayable.
Alternatively, you can take a drop behind the hazard, keeping the point where the ball crossed the hazard line between the hole and the drop point.
This option incurs a one-stroke penalty. You can also take a lateral drop, dropping a ball within two club-lengths of the point where the ball crossed the hazard line, no closer to the hole. This option also incurs a one-stroke penalty.
If your ball enters a water hazard, you have the same options as above, plus two additional options. You can drop a ball behind the water hazard, keeping the point where the ball crossed the hazard line between the hole and the drop point.
This option incurs a one-stroke penalty. You can also drop a ball within two club-lengths of the point where the ball crossed the hazard line, no closer to the hole. This option also incurs a one-stroke penalty.
When taking relief from a hazard, you must identify where your ball crossed the hazard line and determine the relief area. You can then drop the ball within the relief area, making sure it is at rest before playing from that spot.
It's essential to note that you must take relief from the hazard, and you cannot play from the hazard if your ball is in a position where you cannot physically make a stroke. Always check with a rules official or consult the Official Rules of Golf for specific guidance on hazard relief. Catch you on the fairways!
-Sewgolum is a PGA AA golf professional , Golf Pro for Saudi Aramco and was voted Top 5 International PGA professional for the year 2022.
