Section 3: Playing Area
The Course (Rule 2)
Rule 2 defines the five defined areas of the course. Understanding these areas is essential because different Rules apply in each area.
Five Defined Areas of the Course (Rule 2.2)
- The Teeing Area (Rule 6.2): The starting point for each hole. It is a rectangular area two club-lengths deep, defined by the front edge of two tee-markers. Players must play from within or behind this area (though stance may be taken outside the teeing area). The tee-markers are immovable obstructions for all other players until the hole has been started; for the player playing that hole they are movable obstructions.
- The General Area (Rule 2.2b): Covers all of the course except the other four defined areas. Includes the fairway, rough, and all other ground not specifically defined. The general area is the default area when no other area applies.
- Penalty Areas (Rule 17): Bodies of water or other areas defined by the Committee as penalty areas, marked with red or yellow stakes or lines. Yellow penalty areas: players may take stroke-and-distance relief or back-on-the-line relief. Red penalty areas: players may additionally take lateral relief within two club-lengths of the point where the ball last crossed the penalty area edge (Rule 17.1d).
- Bunkers (Rule 12): Specially prepared areas of sand defined by the Committee. Rule 12.2a prohibits touching sand with a hand, club, or equipment before making a stroke, with limited exceptions (e.g., removing loose impediments under Rule 15.1, or fairly searching for the ball).
- The Putting Green (Rule 13): The specially prepared area designed for putting. The flagstick is located in the hole on the putting green. Under Rule 13.2a, a ball played from the putting green that hits the attended or unattended flagstick results in no penalty (changed from pre-2019 rules); a ball must be played as it lies if it hits the flagstick in the hole.
The Hole (Rule 13.1)
The hole on the putting green must be 4¼ inches (108 mm) in diameter and at least 4 inches (101.6 mm) deep. If a lining is used, it must be sunk at least 1 inch (25.4 mm) below the putting green surface, and its outer diameter must not exceed 4¼ inches (108 mm).
Out of Bounds (Rule 18.2)
Out of bounds is defined by white stakes or lines, or the boundary of the course as defined by the Committee. When white lines define out of bounds, the line itself is out of bounds. A ball is out of bounds only when the entire ball lies out of bounds. A player may stand out of bounds to play a ball that is in bounds.
Abnormal Course Conditions (Rule 16)
Rule 16.1 provides free relief (no penalty stroke) from abnormal course conditions: animal holes, ground under repair, immovable obstructions, and temporary water (formerly called casual water). Relief is taken within one club-length of the nearest point of complete relief, no nearer the hole. On the putting green, the ball is placed at the nearest point of complete relief.
Course Care
Under Rule 1.2a, players are required to take good care of the course. This includes raking bunkers after play, repairing ball-marks on the putting green (Rule 13.1c permits repair of any damage on the putting green), and replacing divots. Spike marks on the putting green that are not ball-marks may also be repaired under Rule 13.1c (a 2019 rule change; previously only ball-marks could be repaired).