Local Rules
If a player’s ball enters an environmentally protected area (marked by yellow stakes with a green cap), the player may either:
- Take a drop, keeping the point of entry between the drop location and the hole, and incur a 1-stroke penalty, OR
- Take relief on the side of the hazard closest to the hole and incur a 2-stroke penalty. The point of relief must be within 1 club length of the environmentally protected area.
If a player’s ball comes to rest in an out-of-bounds location, the player may proceed by:
- Taking stroke-and-distance relief (Rule 14.6), OR
- Implementing a local rule that allows the player to determine the point of entry, find the nearest area on the fairway (no closer to the hole), and drop within 2 club lengths of that location for a 2-stroke penalty.
Common Applications
Greenside fans on the golf course are considered immovable obstructions. If a fan interferes with your stance or swing, you may take relief (1 club length from the nearest point of complete relief, no closer to the hole).
If your ball comes to rest in a mulched flower bed or garden, you have entered what is considered a no-play zone. Proceed by taking relief under Rule 16.1 (1 club length from the nearest point of complete relief, no closer to the hole).