The penalty for failing to carry a hazard is not the same as OB, unless the hazard begins immediately after the tee box, which in that case means you have a poorly designed hole.
Many of the water hazards at the good resort courses here start right in front of the tees and some of these are courses that are ranked in Golf Digests Top 100 list. We have over 3,000 lakes within 30 miles of our home so water hazards are common, often on more than half the holes. Slope ratings from middle tees(6400 yards) are 140 and above at these courses. You would certainly not enjoy them because the hazard is just like having OB and most of the holes have woods on both side where finding a ball is next to impossible as the vegetation is super thick. Here’s a typical hole without water, 227 yard par 3(246 off the tips) The woods are not playable on either side and you are unlikely to find your ball without a machete so it’s basically OB on both sides.
Maybe I have zero issues with the OB rule because I grew up on courses with lots of thick woods and marsh so the possibility of a stroke and distance penalty existed on more than half the holes. I often have rounds where I miss only 3 GIR and two or three fairways but card a double if I make one bad swing. It often makes for par or better score for the day with a double or two on the card.
Last edited: