Penalty area boundaries

[denkea]

I'm having a bit of difficulty understanding the boundaries of the penalty area.  According to the definition of Penalty are is as follows.

 

" " " The edge of a penalty area should be defined by stakes or lines.

• Stakes: When defined by stakes, the edge of the penalty area is defined by the line between the outside points of the stakes at ground level, and the stakes are inside the penalty area." " " 

•  

So, if I'm at doubt if my ball is in the penalty area then I imagine a straight line between the stakes and use that as a reference.  

So, in the attached pic, what is the answer if the ball is in the water but inside (general area) of the line?  The line being the two red stakes.  

[Halebopp]

In such situation the PA hasn't been marked properly and the margin of the PA would be where the land starts to break to the water.

 

In other words, the ball is in the PA and the committee needs to do a better job at marking the course.

[rogolf]

Further to Halebopp's reply, here are the pertinent parts of the Rules,

First an Interpretation:

17.1a/1 – Ball Is in Penalty Area Even if Penalty Area Is Improperly Marked

 

If stakes defining a body of water as a penalty area are improperly located, a player is not allowed to take advantage of such an error by the Committee.

For example, a ball is found in an expanse of water that, because of the configuration of the ground, is clearly part of the penalty area but is outside the stakes and, thus, technically outside the penalty area. The player may not claim that the ball at rest in the water is in temporary water since a penalty area includes any body of water on the course, whether or not marked by the Committee (see definition of “penalty area”).

 

And, imo, the appropriate parts of the definition of "penalty area":

 A penalty area is:

·         Any body of water on the course (whether or not marked by the Committee), including a sea, lake, pond, river, ditch, surface drainage ditch or other open watercourse (even if not containing water), and

·         Any other part of the course the Committee defines as a penalty area.

When the edge of a body of water is not defined by the Committee, the edge of that penalty area is defined by its natural boundaries (that is, where the ground slopes down to form the depression that can hold the water).

 

Edited December 10, 2021 by rogolf

[denkea]

22 hours ago, rogolf said:

Further to Halebopp's reply, here are the pertinent parts of the Rules,

First an Interpretation:

17.1a/1 – Ball Is in Penalty Area Even if Penalty Area Is Improperly Marked

 

If stakes defining a body of water as a penalty area are improperly located, a player is not allowed to take advantage of such an error by the Committee.

For example, a ball is found in an expanse of water that, because of the configuration of the ground, is clearly part of the penalty area but is outside the stakes and, thus, technically outside the penalty area. The player may not claim that the ball at rest in the water is in temporary water since a penalty area includes any body of water on the course, whether or not marked by the Committee (see definition of “penalty area”).

 

And, imo, the appropriate parts of the definition of "penalty area":

 A penalty area is:

·         Any body of water on the course (whether or not marked by the Committee), including a sea, lake, pond, river, ditch, surface drainage ditch or other open watercourse (even if not containing water), and

·         Any other part of the course the Committee defines as a penalty area.

When the edge of a body of water is not defined by the Committee, the edge of that penalty area is defined by its natural boundaries (that is, where the ground slopes down to form the depression that can hold the water).

 

Rogolf ~~~~ Thanks for the reference.  Understand completely now.  In checking the USGA rules one need to go beyond the rules to the "Interpretations" for a clearer understanding.  Thanks again. 

[Mr. Bean]

31 minutes ago, denkea said:

Rogolf ~~~~ Thanks for the reference.  Understand completely now.  In checking the USGA rules one need to go beyond the rules to the "Interpretations" for a clearer understanding.  Thanks again. 

 

Yes, studying Interpretations certainly helps but it seems all relevant information is already in the Definition:

 

'When the edge of a body of water is not defined by the Committee, the edge of that penalty area is defined by its natural boundaries (that is, where the ground slopes down to form the depression that can hold the water).'

 

In your case the edge has not been (properly) defined by the Committee so the edge is defined by its natural boundaries.

 

Definitions are extremely important to read, know and master as they are the foundation of all the Rules.