The course
The R&A / USGA · 2023Course areas, boundaries and compulsory relief.
Know the area
The Committee sets the course boundaries; everything beyond them is out of bounds. The general area includes fairway, rough and trees, but excludes the teeing area being used, all penalty areas, all bunkers and the putting green of the hole being played. A ball touching a specific area and the general area belongs to the specific area.
Interference and protected zones
If a ball touches different specific areas, priority is penalty area, then bunker, then putting green. Different relief rules apply to loose impediments, movable obstructions and abnormal course conditions. Boundary and integral objects do not provide free relief. A no play zone requires relief if the ball is in it, or if it interferes with the intended stance or swing for a ball outside it.
Sources & approach ↗