GUR and Out of Bounds

[Antbanks]

Our golf club has been under going a lot of tree clearing with one of the holes having a GUR area extending from the tee all the way along the right side of the fairway. There are green stakes and some small signs to indicate GUR (about a 5 yard strip to where the tree line starts) but how far does that extend? There is a heavily wooded area on the right beyond that but I can’t get a definition from the club pro as to how far the GUR extends… at the moment it could mean that if you hit your drive 30-40 yds over into the woods (and can’t find your ball) (some) players are claiming a free drop out as their understanding is the GUR extends ‘infinitely’ if there are no white lines surrounding the GUR to define it!
I know GUR is drop at point of entry but I would have thought a lost ball should be either a re-tee or 4th from the fairway again at point of entry to the GUR area where the ball cleared the area.
Would be grateful for any advice on the matter and where the rules of golf fall on this matter. Is this something the club should define better or is there a general ruling? Thanks in advance

 

[rulefan]

Our golf club has been under going a lot of tree clearing with one of the holes having a GUR area extending from the tee all the way along the right side of the fairway. There are green stakes and some small signs to indicate GUR (about a 5 yard strip to where the tree line starts) but how far does that extend? There is a heavily wooded area on the right beyond that but I can’t get a definition from the club pro as to how far the GUR extends… at the moment it could mean that if you hit your drive 30-40 yds over into the woods (and can’t find your ball) (some) players are claiming a free drop out as their understanding is the GUR extends ‘infinitely’ if there are no white lines surrounding the GUR to define it!
I know GUR is drop at point of entry but I would have thought a lost ball should be either a re-tee or 4th from the fairway again at point of entry to the GUR area where the ball cleared the area.
Would be grateful for any advice on the matter and where the rules of golf fall on this matter. Is this something the club should define better or is there a general ruling? Thanks in advance

This is something the club should define better.

However if the ball is lost in the GUR

• The player may take relief under Rule 16.1b, c or d, using the estimated point where the ball last crossed the edge of the abnormal course condition on the course as the spot of the ball for purposes of finding the nearest point of complete relief.

Perhaps this post should be in the Rules of Golf & Handicapping thread

​

 

[rulie]

This is something the club should define better.

However if the ball is lost in the GUR

• The player may take relief under Rule 16.1b, c or d, using the estimated point where the ball last crossed the edge of the abnormal course condition on the course as the spot of the ball for purposes of finding the nearest point of complete relief.

Perhaps this post should be in the Rules of Golf & Handicapping thread

​

And relief under Rule 16 in this case, is free relief, no penalty strokes.

 

[Neilds]

I was under the impression that any area marked by stakes ended when the last stake was, is this correct?

 

[Colin L]

I'm not exactly clear about the set-up but if the marking is a single line of stakes with no indication on the ground or definition in words of an area, the GUR doesn't actually exist.

 

[salfordlad]

The Committee apparently intends to provide GUR but the process has been flubbed. Only the Committee can answer their intention - the Rules do not provide an answer. The most appropriate action for the player is play 2 balls and seek Committee guidance before submitting their card, and a photo could assist the decision maker. Of course, that wise player would likely be the only one in the competition that did so.

 

[Steven Rules]

(some) players are claiming a free drop out as their understanding is the GUR extends ‘infinitely’ if there are no white lines surrounding the GUR to define it!

That's just nonsense. There is nothing in the Rules that supports that 'understanding'. As others have said, the Committee needs to do a better job of marking the GUR.

 

[jim8flog]

As per others it should be better defined.

As an alternative they could use red stakes and make it a penalty area.

 

[Neilds]

Our golf club has been under going a lot of tree clearing with one of the holes having a GUR area extending from the tee all the way along the right side of the fairway. There are green stakes and some small signs to indicate GUR (about a 5 yard strip to where the tree line starts) but how far does that extend? There is a heavily wooded area on the right beyond that but I can’t get a definition from the club pro as to how far the GUR extends… at the moment it could mean that if you hit your drive 30-40 yds over into the woods (and can’t find your ball) (some) players are claiming a free drop out as their understanding is the GUR extends ‘infinitely’ if there are no white lines surrounding the GUR to define it!
I know GUR is drop at point of entry but I would have thought a lost ball should be either a re-tee or 4th from the fairway again at point of entry to the GUR area where the ball cleared the area.
Would be grateful for any advice on the matter and where the rules of golf fall on this matter. Is this something the club should define better or is there a general ruling? Thanks in advance

Also worth noting that this bit is incorrect. Drop is at Nearest Point of Relief, not point of entry.

 

[salfordlad]

Also worth noting that this bit is incorrect. Drop is at Nearest Point of Relief, not point of entry.

Correct if ball is found in GUR, last point of entry is relevant if the ball is lost in GUR - the OP also mentioned not finding a ball.

 

[Steven Rules]

the process has been flubbed

Of course, that wise player would likely be the only one in the competition that did so

A couple of very insightful observations on how golf competitions are often managed and played.