In this series of articles on Abnormal Course Conditions, we will be talking today about Ground Under
repair (GUR).
Defining Ground Under repair
Most of the time, a committee will identity areas of GUR by putting down a white line around the area.
Some other time we may see ropes or stakes.
We must also accept that damaged grass and ground may be normal on certain courses while a little bit of
damages at Augusta will be marked GUR or it will be fixed right away.
Area of GUR not marked
Ground under repair also includes the following things, even if the Committee does not define them as
such:
– A hole where a stake has been removed.
– The hole of a double green being used for the play of another hole.
– Hole made in removing turf or a tree stump.
– Grass cuttings, leaves and any other material piled for later removal.
But when the ball is sitting in a pile of grass cutting in the woods, probably that pile will never be removed. A free relief would not be granted.
Areas needing to be approved before a free relief
– Tire marks: When a ball lies in tire marks, the free relief is not automatic. It depends on the size
of the marks.
– Bad lie in the rough: Unless marked, there is no such a thing as a bad lie in the rough. At least this is what I always tell players asking for a free relief for a bad lie in the rough. What is not ground under repair.
– Roots
– Grass wear
– Damages in a penalty area
– Tree stump
– Fallen tree
LOCAL RULES
A committee may, by implementing a local rule, identify areas as ground under repair. As an example, a
big tree that fell overnight in the fairway. Or a bunker full of water or any other damages.
During most of the PGA Tour event, they have a local rule saying the spectators cross over in fairways are
GUR.
At Golf Quebec, we have a local rule saying that a player may get a free relief if his ball lies in seams of cut
turf.