Red Penalty Area (Water Hazard): What Are Your Options?

Marcela Smith, founder of Girlfriends Guide To Golf, shares how to use the lateral relief option, often your best choice in red penalty areas previously referred to as water hazards.

Marcela Smith

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What Happens if you Swing and Miss the Golf Ball on the Tee?

It's happened to all of us... you make an intentional swing at the ball from the tee box and you miss. Is it a stroke? Is there a penalty? Marcela Smith from Girlfriend's Guide to Golf explains what happens next.

How to Take Free Relief From Immovable Obstructions

If your ball comes to rest on an immovable obstruction like a sprinkler, drain, or cart path, or the condition interferes with your stance (as in this photo), you are entitled to free relief. Marcela Smith from Girlfriends Guide to Golf explains Rule 16.

Your Options From a Yellow Penalty Area

Marcela Smith explains your options if your ball is lying in a Yellow Penalty Area. You can always play it as it lies, and you are permitted to take a practice swing and ground your club in the Penalty Area. And you have two options under Rule 17.1, which include Stroke-And-Distance and Back-On-The-Line relief. Each of those will cost you a one stroke...