A lateral hazard is simply one where it runs alongside the hole of play, but does not actually cross it. It is also deemed by the committee of the competition/course or tournament that it is impossible/ impractical to drop behind the line of the hazard (which you would normally do with a normal water hazard).
Red stakes are a lateral water hazard.
Yellow is a water hazard. Red is a lateral hazard. White is out of bounds. The rules indicate how each of these should be dealt with.
Water hazard - yellow stakes, lateral hazard - red stakes and bunkers.
Red.
Hazard
Yes, you may remove a lateral water hazard stake, under no penalty. The only stake you are not allowed to remove is an OB stake, this is because it marks the boundary of the course.
If a ball is struck into a lateral water hazard the options are: 1. Replay the shot 2. drop two clubs from the point that the ball entered the hazard no closer to the hole. 3. Drop a ball two club lengths from the hazard on the opposite side of the hazard the same distance away. 4. Take the ball as far back keeping the line that the ball crossed the hazard and the pin.
A red stake means a lateral water hazard.
Water hazards are marked with yellow stakes. Lateral water hazards are marked with red stakes. The difference between lateral water hazards and water hazards is that you can play from either side of the lateral water hazard as long as you are not nearer the hole. With a water hazard you have to play from the side on the line of where the ball entered.
Lateral refers to the sides.
side
Lateral means side, quadrilateral (4 sides)