Many golfers are very familiar with the term GUR, which stands for Ground Under Repair, but perhaps fewer are quite so au fait with NPZ, which indicates a No Play Zone. But what is the difference? Well, it’s essentially the difference between ‘may’ and ‘must’ take relief.
Ground Under Repair (GUR)
GUR is one of the four things that come under the heading of ‘abnormal course condition’ in the Rules (along with immovable obstructions, temporary water and animal holes). GUR is any part of the course that the Committee has defined to be GUR whether marked or not (usually it is marked via a white circle or similar). It might be an area that’s undergoing maintenance, for example, or one that has perhaps suffered after flooding where the grass has been under water for some time.
This part of the 1st hole at Castle Stuart was designated GUR after a landslip in the 2011 Scottish Open
(Image credit: Warren Little / Getty Images)
GUR includes all of the ground inside the edge of that defined area, and any growing or attached natural object rooted in the defined area. It also includes any holes made by the Committee or maintenance staff (except aeration holes) and any grass cuttings, leaves or other materials which have been piled for later removal (sometimes you may have to make a judgement call here, but often it will be fairly obvious).
If a course has double greens, the hole cut for play of another hole would be classed as GUR, and any animal habitat (such as a bird’s nest) that is so near a player’s ball that the player’s stroke or stance might damage it would also be classed as GUR, but not when the habitat has been made by animals that are defined as loose impediments (such as worms or insects).
In terms of the boundaries, when defined by a line on the ground, the edge of the GUR is the outside edge of the line, and the line itself is in the ground under repair. When defined by stakes, the edge of the GUR is defined by the line between the outside points of the stakes at ground level, and the stakes are inside the ground under repair.
If your ball lies in GUR, or it interferes with your area of intended stance or area of intended swing, you are entitled to free relief under Rule 16, dropping within one club-length of your nearest point of complete relief not nearer the hole. You must take full relief, so can’t still be standing in the GUR after taking your drop.
If you elect to take relief from GUR you must take full relief (so stance,…
..
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at Golf Monthly RSS Feed…