Definition

Noun: A water hazard is a designated area on a golf course that contains a body of water (such as a pond, lake, stream, or ditch) which presents an obstacle or danger that golfers must try to avoid when playing a shot. Hitting a ball into a water hazard typically incurs a penalty stroke.

Usage

The term water hazard is used specifically in the context of golf to describe a type of course feature. * The golfer's ball landed in the water hazard near the 7th green. * According to the rules, you must take a penalty drop if your ball is in a water hazard.

Advanced Usage

• Lateral Water Hazard: A specific type of water hazard, usually marked with red stakes, where it is not possible or practical to drop a ball behind the hazard. Special rules apply for taking relief.
  • The creek running along the left side of the fairway is marked as a lateral water hazard.

Variants and Related Words

• Hazard (noun): A more general term for any obstacle on a golf course (e.g., bunkers, water hazards).
• Penalty Area (noun): The modern term in the Rules of Golf that encompasses both traditional water hazards and other areas marked for a penalty. Water hazard is now a common subset of a penalty area.

Synonyms

• Penalty area (modern, official synonym)
• Water obstacle (descriptive, less formal)

Related Phrases

• To find the water / To go in the water: Informal phrases meaning to hit a golf ball into a water hazard.
  • His approach shot found the water, adding a stroke to his score.

Noun

1. hazard provided by ponds of water that the golfer must avoid