According to the Rules of Golf, which of the following are considered to be hazards?

According to the Rules of Golf, which of the following are considered to be hazards?

• A. Delineated drainage ditches
• B. Ponds
• C. Rivers
• D. Sand-filled bunkers

Answer: (D)

Hazards are areas on the course that make play more difficult and carry special rules for relief or penalties. The most recognizable hazards are bunkers (sand-filled areas) and water hazards like ponds and rivers. A sand-filled bunker is a clear example of a hazard because it changes how you must strike the ball and what relief you may take if the ball ends up there. Drainage ditches aren’t hazards in themselves unless they contain water or are designated as penalty areas; ponds and rivers are water hazards, so they are hazards under the Rules. In this sense, sand-filled bunkers are the archetypal on-course hazard, which is why they’re identified as the hazard in this item.

Hazards are areas on the course that make play more difficult and carry special rules for relief or penalties. The most recognizable hazards are bunkers (sand-filled areas) and water hazards like ponds and rivers. A sand-filled bunker is a clear example of a hazard because it changes how you must strike the ball and what relief you may take if the ball ends up there. Drainage ditches aren’t hazards in themselves unless they contain water or are designated as penalty areas; ponds and rivers are water hazards, so they are hazards under the Rules. In this sense, sand-filled bunkers are the archetypal on-course hazard, which is why they’re identified as the hazard in this item.