Blue staked area, play prohibited, free drop?

[Johanna]

Originally Posted by MEfree

I agree that the red/yellow bands would be helpful.

Doesn`t 26-1 only apply to Water Hazards?  If there is only unkept foliage/long grasss and no water in the ESA (and no red or yellow bands/stakes), why is the player to assume it is a water hazard?  If there is a local rule that says free drop, wouldn`t this take precedent?  (I haven`t read the posted signs so hopefully they clarify the situation, but the card is ambiguous and never calls these ESA areas a hazard).

MEfree - Rule 26-1 is indeed about balls ending up in Water Hazards. If the WH/LWH is marked not only as a WH but also as an ESA, even if the ball is playable the ball MUST be dropped outside the WH/LWH with 1 penalty stroke. If the area isn't a water hazard in accordance with the definition of a WH/LWH, and just marked as GUR (free drop), just drop the ball in accordance with Rule 25-1b.

ESA areas are probably permanently on a golf course in order to protect rare species of plant and/or animal life.

GUR should indicate temporary areas under repair; for example newly sown  grass or turf, a new tee, a new or renovated green, young trees or shrubs planted close together etc.

[Fourputt]

Originally Posted by MEfree

I`m playing at Keystone in Colorado USA this season and we also have blue stakes that are used to mark Environmentally Sensitive Areas- I haven`t hit in one yet so I haven`t read the local signs or asked one of the Pros about it, but the card says "Environmentally Sensitive Areas- defined by signs.  Do not play ball from marked areas."

No mention on the card about whether you take a penalty or not, but most of these areas look like they should be hazards.

This is very unusual.  I've played a lot of courses where ESA's prohibit play, but they are almost universally marked as water hazards with either yellow or red stakes to define the type of hazard, and with the top 2 or 3 inches painted green to indicate the ESA status.  In many such cases you are not even allowed to enter the area to retrieve your ball, much less play from it.
And I've played a few rounds at Keystone (Ranch Course as recently as last summer), without seeing any blue stakes.  They must have them well hidden, or it's new this year, or i just never hit near those places.

[MEfree]

Originally Posted by Fourputt

And I've played a few rounds at Keystone (Ranch Course as recently as last summer), without seeing any blue stakes.  They must have them well hidden, or it's new this year, or i just never hit near those places.

This was on the front 9 at the River course (the back 9 opens today and the Ranch opens June 1)...I played it twice now, but have`t hit a ball in there, so haven`t given it a full look.  I could be wrong, but am pretty sure they were blue stakes.  I am pretty sure there is an accompanying sign that I will have to read the next time I`m out.

[MEfree]

Originally Posted by Fourputt

This is very unusual.  I've played a lot of courses where ESA's prohibit play, but they are almost universally marked as water hazards with either yellow or red stakes to define the type of hazard, and with the top 2 or 3 inches painted green to indicate the ESA status.  In many such cases you are not even allowed to enter the area to retrieve your ball, much less play from it.

And I've played a few rounds at Keystone (Ranch Course as recently as last summer), without seeing any blue stakes.  They must have them well hidden, or it's new this year, or i just never hit near those places.

You were right- there are blue stakes on the Keystone River course, but after looking at them more closely, I am not sure what they are marking.  The ESAs are marked by yellow hazard stakes with green tops (accompanied by signs saying that play/entry is prohibited.

[caniac6]

I worked at the North Carolina Senior Amateur last week. The course had about 4 inches of rain in the days leading up yo the event. The event was shortened fron a 3 day to a 2 day tourney, and the start was delayed so the crew could pump water from the bunkers. Needless to say, some of the bunkers were a mess. The head rules official used blue stakes to designate drop zones in bunkers that still had casual water.