What’s the difference between red and yellow stakes?
By The Fairway Labs TeamReviewed
Penalty areas
Penalty: One stroke
What’s the difference between red and yellow stakes?
PenaltyOne stroke· under Rule 17
What to do
- 1Identify the stake or line color marking the penalty area.
- 2Yellow: replay previous shot, or drop back on the line — one penalty stroke.
- 3Red: same two options, plus lateral relief within two club-lengths — one penalty stroke.
- 4When in doubt, check local rules or the color of the stakes, not their shape.
Based on the modern Rules of Golf (Rule 17), as published by the USGA and The R&A and effective from the 2019 revision. Local rules can modify some situations — check the scorecard or with the committee when in doubt.
Related rulings
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