Lots of golfers receive points for scoring a triple-bogey. Drop zones allow golfers to drop next to the green and sometimes on the fringe. Drop zones can reward poor golf shots. With that said, nobody is permitted to use drop zones regardless of 'golf course local rule' or USGA Rules of Golf. Golfers may use all other USGA rules of Golf. Golfers who hit a ball into the water are expected to move up a tee, take a penalty stroke, and hit again. Eventually a golfer can take a 'gimme' as defined in rules.

For example, a golfer hits his tee shot into a pond with a drop zone. He accepts penalty of one-stroke, moves up one tee color, and re-tees another ball. He would be hitting his 3rd shot/stroke.