The general area covers the entire course except for the four specific areas of the course described in Rule 2.2b. It is called the “general” area because: It covers most of the course and is where a player’s ball will most often be played until the ball reaches the putting green.
What does general area mean in golf?
The Rules of Golf now call "general area" what was once "through the green" in an effort to be consistent with another change in terminology.
What are the rules of golf?
The rules of golf cover all aspects of play, including definitions of terminology, procedures and equipment parameters. It also prescribes specific penalties that may be enacted in certain situations and for rule infractions.
What is the general area of the course?
The general area General Area: The area of the course that covers all of the courseexcept for the other four defined areas: (1) the teeing area the player must play from in starting the hole he or she is playing, (2) all penalty areas, (3) all bunkers, and (4) the putting green of the hole the player is playing. (... Continued) ,
What is the'general area'on a golf course?
One of the terms you'll find in the back of the rule book is the 'General Area' and it's a term that was introduced in the 2019 revisions. It was previously known as 'through the green'. Essentially it applies to any area of the golf course that isn't one of the four set, defined areas.
What are the 5 defined areas of a golf course?
There are five areas of the courseAreas of the Course: The five defined areas that make up the course: (1) the general area, (2) the teeing area you must play from in starting the hole you are playing, (3) all penalty areas, (4) all bunkers, and (5) the putting green of the hole you are playing..
Is a bunker considered general area?
Continued) defines the entire bunker as ground under repair. Any defined ground under repair includes both:(... Continued), it is treated as part of the general area.
What are the areas of golf?
Each hole in a course has 5 major parts namely Tee, Fairway, Green, Rough and Hazards. Understanding these parts allow you to plan your shots right.
What are the four specific areas of a golf course?
The area of the course that covers all of the course except for the other four defined areas: (1) the teeing area the player must play from in starting the hole he or she is playing, (2) all penalty areas, (3) all bunkers, and (4) the putting green of the hole the player is playing.
Do you get a free drop if your ball is plugged?
Within the rules of golf a plugged lie is known as an embedded ball. The good news is that unless you are in a bunker or penalty area, you do now get relief without penalty.
What does Gur in golf mean?
ground under repairRules of Golf explained: Our expert says… Given we can't use rakes, some clubs – with CONGU's blessing where the conditions are very poor – have declared all bunkers to be ground under repair. When a committee defines a bunker as GUR, for example if it is being repaired, it is treated as part of the general area.
What is the definition of general area?
General Area The area of the course. that covers all of the course. The boundary edge extends both up above the ground and down below the ground. except for the other four defined areas: (1) the teeing area.
What is the native area in golf?
They have taken areas where golfers should not normally hit a ball and have cut back on the maintenance to create natural habitats.
What is the area around the green called?
Apron The grass surface on the perimeter of the green that separates it from the surrounding fairway or rough. Also known as the fringe.
What is the sandy area on a golf hole called?
A hazard is an area of a golf course in the sport of golf which provides a difficult obstacle, which may be of two types: (1) water hazards such as lakes and rivers; and (2) man-made hazards such as bunkers.
Topic Overview
Most of your shots during a round will be made from the fairway or rough, which are part of an area of the golf course called the “general area.” This area includes everywhere on the course except bunkers, penalty areas, and the teeing area and putting green of the hole you are playing.
FAQs
I have interference from an out of bounds fence, stake or wall – what are my options?
What is the general area of golf?
The "general area" term reflects the reality that most shots in golf are played from this part of the course. Under the 2019 Rules of Golf, then, there are five areas of the golf course: the general area, penalty areas, bunkers, teeing ground and putting greens.
What does "through the green" mean in golf?
The term "through the green" is really only used in the Rules of Golf, and it describes a specific area of the golf course.
What is the general area of golf?
The general area General Area: The area of the course that covers all of the courseexcept for the other four defined areas: (1) the teeing area the player must play from in starting the hole he or she is playing, (2) all penalty areas, (3) all bunkers, and (4) the putting green of the hole the player is playing.
What are the areas of golf?
The area of the course Areas of the Course: The five defined areas that make up the course: that covers all of the course Course: The entire area of play within the edge of any boundaries set by the Committee: (...Continued) except for the other four defined areas: (1) the teeing area Teeing Area: The area the player must play from in starting the hole he or she is playing. (...Continued) the player must play from in starting the hole he or she is playing, (2) all penalty areas Penalty Area: An area from which relief with a one-stroke penalty is allowed if the player’s ball comes to rest there. (...Continued), (3) all bunkers Bunker: A specially prepared area of sand, which is often a hollow from which turf or soil was removed. (...Continued), and (4) the putting green Putting Green: The area on the hole the player is playing that: (...Continued) of the hole the player is playing.
What is a hole in the ground?
Any hole dug in the ground by an animal Animal: Any living member of the animal kingdom (other than humans), including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates (such as worms, insects, spiders and crustaceans)., except for holes dug by animals Animal: Any living member of the animal kingdom (other than humans), including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates (such as worms, insects, spiders and crustaceans). that are also defined as loose impediments Loose Impediment: Any unattached natural object such as: (...Continued) (such as worms or insects).
What is a hole in match play?
Loss of hole in match play Match Play: A form of play where a player or side plays directly against an opponent or opposing side in a head-to-head match of one or more rounds: (...Continued) or two penalty strokes in stroke play Stroke Play: A form of play where a player or side competes against all other players or sides in the competition. (...Continued) .
What is the rule for clubs, balls and other equipment?
The specifications and other regulations for clubs, balls and other equipment Equipment: Anything used, worn, held or carried by the player or the player’s caddie. ( ... Continued) that players are allowed to use during a round Round: 18 or fewer holes played in the order set by the Committee..
What does "to hold the ball and let go of it" mean?
To hold the ball and let go of it so that it falls through the air, with the intent for the ball to be in play In Play: The status of a player’s ball when it lies on the course and is being used in the play of a hole: (...Continued) .
What is the definition of a course?
The person or group in charge of the competition or the course Course: The entire area of play within the edge of any boundaries set by the Committee: (...Continued) .
What is general area?
General area includes everywhere on the course except bunkers, penalty areas, the teeing area and putting green of the hole² a golfer is playing. All teeing areas and putting greens of any other holes are parts of the general area of the currently played hole.
What is the main element of a general area?
The main element of a general area is fairway, which is a route from teeing areas to the putting green. The grass on the fairway is mowed short, but higher than on the putting greens.
What are the rules of golf?
Rules of golf. The rules of golf consist of a standard set of regulations and procedures by which the sport of golf should be played. They are jointly written and administered by The R&A (which spun off from The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews in 2004) and the United States Golf Association (USGA).
Where is the central principle of golf?
A central principle, although not one of the numbered rules, is found in the R&A rule book's inside front cover: "Play the ball as it lies, play the course as you find it, and if you cannot do either, do what is fair. But to do what is fair, you need to know the Rules of Golf.". In addition to the rules, golf adheres to a code ...
What are the rules for golf for disabled golfers?
Rules governing golfers with disabilities who play in accordance with A Modification of the Rules of Golf for Golfers with Disabilities as published by the R&A and USGA. Through the course of 2020, the USGA and R&A devised World Handicap System came into effect, replacing the many different handicapping systems in use around the world.
How often are the rules of golf published?
The Rules of Golf and the Rules of Amateur Status is published every four years by the governing bodies of golf (R&A/USGA) to define how the game is to be played. The Rules have been published jointly in this manner since 1952, although the code was not completely uniform until 2000 (with mostly minor revisions to Appendix I). Before 2012 the USGA and R&A presented the same content differently in separate editions. The same content is now published in a uniform fashion with similar formatting and covers — the only differences are now some spelling and their logos. The Rules Committee of The R&A, which was spun off from The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews in 2004, has responsibility for upkeep and application of the rules worldwide except in the United States and Mexico, which are the responsibility of the United States Golf Association (USGA).
What is a rulebook?
Definitions. The rulebook also include definitions of terms used throughout the rule-book (sometimes including examples of what does or does not meet a definition), and defines the use of particular words in context to clarify what is meant by the use of a word.
What is the rule for disqualifying a player in golf?
While none of these guidelines are enforced by penalty in and of themselves, the course authorities or other local "committee" may, under Rule 33-7, disqualify any player who acts in serious breach of etiquette, thereby violating the "spirit of the game".
What were the rules before golf?
Before the rules of golf were standardised golf clubs commonly had their own set of rules, which while broadly the same had subtle differences, such as allowing for the removal of loose impediments, e.g. leaves and small stones.
What does the area of the golf ball affect?
The area of the course where a player’s ball lies affects the Rules that apply in playing the ball or taking relief. A ball is always treated as lying in only one area of the course: If part of the ball is in both the general area and one of the four specific areas of the course, it is treated as lying in that specific area of the course.
Why is it important to know the area of the course where the ball lies and the status of any interfering objects
It is important to know the area of the course where the ball lies and the status of any interfering objects and conditions, because they often affect the player’s options for playing the ball or taking relief. 2.1.
What is the purpose of Rule 2?
Purpose: Rule 2 introduces the basic things every player should know about the course: There are five defined areas of the course, and. There are several types of defined objects and conditions that can interfere with play. It is important to know the area of the course where the ball lies and the status of any interfering objects and conditions, ...
What are some rules that give free relief?
Certain Rules may give free relief (relief with no penalty) from interference by certain defined objects or conditions, such as: Abnormal course conditions, which are animal holes, ground under repair, immovable obstructions and temporary water ( Rule 16.1 ).
What are the rules of golf for 2019?
1) Removing stones in bunkers – With the 2019 Rules now allowing the removal of loose impediments in bunkers, Local Rules allowing the removal of stones will no longer be required.
How many strokes are penaltyd under the new local rule?
1) Many people who currently play such a ‘Rule’ informally will typically only regard it as a one-shot penalty, but the penalty under this new Local Rule will be two strokes. 2) Even when this Local Rule is in force, you may still choose to hit a provisional.
Can clubs cut to fairway heigh?
Clubs may still limit it to areas cut to fairway heigh or less via Local Rules, but we doubt many will. 3) Use of Distance Measuring Devices (DMDs) – They may now be almost universal, but at the moment DMDs are still only permitted via Local Rule.
