Course Markings in Golf The Meaning of Red, White, Yellow, and Blue Stakes

On a golf course, stakes in different colors indicate either:

• Areas on the course (out of bounds, ground under repair, or penalty areas)
• Distance to the green

In this article, we first describe the different areas and finally provide an overview of the distance markers.

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White stakes – Out of Bounds (OB)

White stakes mark the boundary of the course. If the ball is completely outside the line between the white stakes, it is Out of Bounds.

When the ball is out of bounds, you have one option:

• Play a new ball from the previous spot. +1 penalty stroke.

Yellow stakes – Yellow penalty area

Yellow stakes mark a penalty area, which differs from a red penalty area by not having lateral relief.

When the ball is in a yellow penalty area, you have the following options:

1. Play the ball as it lies. No penalty stroke.
2. Play a new ball from the previous spot. +1 penalty stroke.
3. Drop the ball on a straight line away from the flag*. +1 penalty stroke.

*The ball must be dropped at a spot that is on a straight line from the flag to the point where the ball crossed the boundary into the penalty area.

Red stakes – Red penalty area

Red stakes mark a penalty area, which differs from a yellow penalty area by having lateral relief.

When the ball is in a red penalty area, you have the following options:

1. Play the ball as it lies. No penalty stroke.
2. Play a new ball from the previous spot. +1 penalty stroke.
3. Drop the ball on a straight line away from the flag. +1 penalty stroke.
4. Drop the ball within two club lengths from the crossing point, not nearer the hole. +1 penalty stroke.

*The ball must be dropped at a spot that is on a straight line from the flag to the point where the ball crossed the boundary into the penalty area.

Blue stakes – Ground under repair (GUR)

Blue stakes mark 'Ground under repair' or a temporary area, where the course provides free relief.

When the ball is in an area under repair, you have one option:

• Find the nearest point of complete relief (not nearer the hole) and drop within 1 club length*. No penalty stroke.

*Note that the ball MUST be dropped at the nearest spot, even if it is a bad lie.

Distance markers

Stakes in different colors are also used to mark the distance to the front edge of the green. Distances:

• White: 200m
• Yellow: 150m
• Red: 100m
• Blue: 50m