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2. SURROUNDING HAZARDS — WHAT TO IDENTIFY & WHY

2. SURROUNDING HAZARDS — WHAT TO IDENTIFY & WHY

What to look for

Hazard types:
  • Greenside bunkers
  • Water hazards
  • Out of bounds
  • Penalty areas
  • Thick rough
  • Drop-offs / run-offs
  • Steep slopes
  • False fronts
Hazard positions:
  • In front of the green
  • Behind the green
  • Left side
  • Right side
  • Diagonal positions (front-left, front-right, back-left, back-right)

Why it matters

  • Hazards define where you absolutely cannot miss.
  • Each hazard type has a different penalty severity.
  • Hazard location determines whether short, long, left, or right misses are dangerous.
  • Knowing exactly where hazards sit lets you build correct buffers and safe targets later.