A water hazard is indicated by yellow paint or yellow stakes.

A lateral water hazard is indicated by red paint or red stakes.

 

Water Hazard

Water Hazard Penalty Drop Options Ball played from Point A to Point B ends up in a Water Hazard at Point C, where the green line is the path the ball took. Your options are

1 Play the ball as it lies.

2 Drop a ball not nearer the hole under a penalty of 1 shot from where the last shot was played from. Can be teed up if played from the tee area.

3 Drop a ball under a penalty of 1 shot behind the hazard as far back as you want keeping a direct line where the ball entered the hazard (as shown by  X) and the hole.

Lateral Water Hazard

Lateral Water Hazard Penalty Drop Options Ball played from Point A to Point B ends up in a Lateral Water Hazard at Point C, where the green line is the path the ball took. Your options are

1 Play the ball as it lies.

2 Drop a ball not nearer the hole under a penalty of 1 shot from where the last shot was played from. Can be teed up if played from the tee area.

3 Drop a ball under a penalty of 1 shot behind the hazard as far back as you want keeping a direct line where the ball entered the hazard (as shown by  X) and the hole.

Only if in a lateral water hazard (red stakes) you have 2 more options

4 Drop a ball under a penalty of 1 shot within 2 club lengths not nearer the hole from where the ball entered the hazard.

5 Drop a ball under a penalty of 1 shot within 2 club lengths not nearer the hole on the opposite side of the hazard the same distance from the hole.

Rule 26-1