Red and Yellow Stakes When stakes are used to designate water hazards, yellow stakes must be employed for standard hazards, while red stakes must be used for lateral water hazards, according to the Rules of Golf.
0:024:52What Are The Red, Yellow and White Stakes Golf Rules? - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAreas okay so those three colors represent. Different types of penalty areas which we'll discuss nowMoreAreas okay so those three colors represent. Different types of penalty areas which we'll discuss now the white stakes and markings out on the course denote out of bounds nicknamed ob generally.
lateral water hazardRed stake. A set of red stakes marks the margin of a lateral water hazard. Really, this should be the only kind of water hazard there is, but we digress. A lateral water hazard is water that can come into play with a poor shot, but it runs alongside or adjacent to the intended line of play.
You may play it as it lies There is nothing to stop you playing the ball as it lies in a penalty area marked with red stakes in golf if safe (and perhaps wise!) to do so. If you opt to play it, there is no penalty for touching the ground or water with your hand or club.
Yes. A penalty area stake is a movable obstruction and you may move them if you want (see Rule 15.2a). However, while rare, some penalty area stakes cannot be moved (for example, when the course has set the stake into a concrete base).
Unlike red and yellow stakes, white stakes do not represent a hazard, but instead communicate what areas are “out of bounds” for the course you're playing. While some courses choose to make everything red/yellow staked, when you do see white stakes there is a very specific procedure you must follow.