The Course > No Play Zones

• Definition: No Play Zone
• A No Play Zone is a part of the course where the Committee has prohibited play. Relief must be taken. 24.4  
• A No Play Zone can be defined as either a penalty area or as an abnormal course condition. 24.4
• Abnormal Course Condition
  • Objects growing within a No Play Zone, but extending outside an abnormal course condition are part of the abnormal course condition. Ground Under Repair and No Play Zone/1
  • A player must take relief when a player's ball lies in No Play Zone or the No Play Zone interferes with the player's stance or swing. 16.1a(1) and 16.1a(2)
• Penalty Area
  • Objects growing within a No Play Zone, but extending outside a penalty area are not part of the No Play Zone. Penalty Area and No Play Zone/1
  • When a player's ball is in a No Play Zone in a penalty area, the player must take penalty relief outside the penalty area. 17.1e(1)
  • When a player's ball is in a penalty area and a No Play Zone interferes with the player's stance or swing, the player may take free relief in the penalty area or penalty relief outside the penalty area. 17.1e(2)
• A player is not entitled to relief from a No Play Zone when it is clearly unreasonable to play the ball. 16.1a(3) and 17.1e(2)