Bunkers & hazards

In the sport of golf, there are obstacles on a golf course traditionally known as hazards: bunkers, also known as sand traps, regions filled with sand; and penalty areas, also known as water hazards, which are usually rivers, streams, lakes, and ponds. Special rules apply when playing balls that fall in a hazard. For example, a player may not touch the ground with their club before playing a ball, not even for a practice swing.

A ball in any hazard may be played as it lies without penalty.
If it cannot be played from the hazard, the ball may be hit from another location, generally with a penalty of one stroke.
The Rules of Golf govern exactly from where the ball may be played outside a hazard.

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