Steven Rules
Well-known member
You are correct. There is no free relief from an abnormal course condition (which includes GUR) when the ball is in a penalty area. Rule 16.1a(2). This applies regardless of whether the condition itself is in or outside the penalty area.Today I was asked about an occurrence very relevant to this thread. Our 12th hole is a par 3 over a wide ditch in front of the green. The ditch is a red penalty area. Our greenstaff had collected debris from the ditch, and it was obviously piled for later removal. The pile was inside the penalty area, however. A players ball went into this pile, and they asked me later if they were entitled to free relief at all. I honestly didn't know, but said that as it was not in the general area, no free relief was available. Did I give correct info, or was a free drop available inside the penalty area?
The only relief option is to take penalty relief outside the penalty area under Rule 17.
Edit - Of course, if feasible, the sticks could be removed by the player as loose impediments as long as the ball doesn't move in doing so.