GUR bunkers

[virtuocity]

On one of our holes, the bunkers are marked with GUR signs.

If I land in one of them, I can have a free drop at the nearest point of relief, yes?

If correct, what does the part in bold mean?

 

[duncan mackie]

Nearest Point of Relief

The “nearest point of relief” is the reference point for taking relief without penalty from interference by an immovable obstruction (Rule 24-2), an abnormal ground condition (Rule 25-1) or a wrong putting green (Rule 25-3).

It is the point on the course nearest to where the ball lies:

(i) that is not nearer the hole, and

(ii) where, if the ball were so positioned, no interference by the condition from which relief is sought would exist for the stroke the player would have made from the original position if the condition were not there.

Note: In order to determine the nearest point of relief accurately, the player should use the club with which he would have made his next stroke if the condition were not there to simulate the address position, direction of play and swing for such a stroke.

 

[virtuocity]

So essentially, walk into the GUR bunker, pick up my ball, walk in a straight line between the flag and where my ball was until I can drop the ball out of the bunker, drop the ball, chip on to the green and 3 putt?

 

[MashieNiblick]

So essentially, walk into the GUR bunker, pick up my ball, walk in a straight line between the flag and where my ball was until I can drop the ball out of the bunker, drop the ball, chip on to the green and 3 putt?

Not quite, it depends if the entire bunker is GUR and whereabouts your ball is in the bunker.

If the entire bunker is GUR then it ceases to be a bunker and you treat it like any other area of GUR. There is no requirement in this case to keep the spot where the ball lies between the dropping point and the hole, unlike when dropping out under penalty when the bunker is full of water (Decision 25/13 Bunker Totally Under Repair).

You literally find the "nearest point of relief", i.e. the point nearest to where your ball was which is not nearer the hole and where the bunker/gur doesn't interfere with your stance or swing and drop within one club length of that point not nearer the hole. That could be to the side of the bunker. The diagram below probably shows this better

 

[Colin L]

Virtuocity,
I suggest you make sure you understand from the above what nearest point of relief means and how to find it since it is how you take relief from casual water, ground under repair and immovable obstructions. It is likely to crop up frequently in your golf so it is as well to know what to do. If you are still not sure about it after working on Duncan's and Mashie's explanations, just come back to us with any questions.