Hi Linda,
Can you confirm if entry of the ball into a bunker which is
surrounded in its entirety by a white line to indicate complete GUR and from
which play is prohibited, will mean that the player automatically incurs a one-stroke
penalty as he has no option to drop the ball in the bunker area?
Regards
Lulu and Lou from Scotland
Dear Lulu and Lou,
No, I cannot.
When an entire bunker has been marked as ground under
repair, and play is prohibited from that bunker, the bunker loses its status as
a hazard. It is now considered “through the green.” Players are entitled to
free relief under Rule 25-1b(i). Players must take the ball out of the bunker
and drop within one club-length and not nearer the hole than the nearest point
of relief. They may not drop in a hazard or on a putting green. This is a free drop [Decision 25/13].
Linda
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