Please note that the Sand is still in play when there is GUR marked on the bunker surrounds.

The GUR is to protect the surrounds from damage and only they are declared a No Play Zone not the sand - the sand is in play.
Mandatory relief must be taken on the GUR surrounds of the bunker.

For full details read below...

GUR No Play Zones (Mandatory Relief)

To all members,

To protect the course and support essential greenkeeping work, bunker surrounds (not sand) with designated Ground Under Repair (GUR) areas are No Play Zones.

Under the modern R&A Rules of Golf, a No Play Zone is defined as:

“A part of the course where the Committee prohibits play. Free relief must be taken from interference by a no play zone.” — R&A, Rule 16.1f (No Play Zones)

This means:

Mandatory Free Relief if the ball is on the GUR Surround

If your ball, stance, or swing is affected by a GUR No Play Zone on a bunker surround, you must take free relief under Rule 16.1. Playing the ball is not permitted.

How to Take Relief

Identify the nearest point of complete relief
Drop within one club-length
Must not be nearer the hole
Must remain in the same area of the course (e.g., general area stays in general area)

Bunkers – Important Clarification

“Sand is still in play when there is GUR marked on the bunker surrounds.”

This means:

If your ball is in the sand, it is in the bunker, even if the lip or bank is GUR - you must play from the sand*
Relief for interference from GUR on the surrounds of the bunker must be taken outside the bunker

Why This Matters

These No Play Zones protect:

Newly repaired turf
Rebuilt bunker surrounds
High‑traffic wear areas
Ongoing greenkeeping projects essential to course quality

Q. What happens when your ball is in the bunker, on sand, and your stance is on the GUR. Do you pick and place in the sand, as dropping in the sand may plug?

A. If your ball is in the bunker, but your stance or swing is interfered with by GUR outside the bunker, you get free relief — but the ball must stay in the bunker.

This comes straight from Rule 16.1c(1) (Relief for Ball in Bunker).

Action:

Find the nearest point of complete relief inside the bunker

That means a spot in the sand where:

Your stance is no longer on the GUR
Your swing is no longer affected
Not nearer the hole

Drop the ball in the relief area (still in the bunker)

You must drop, not place.

The ball may plug

The R&A is very clear: relief in a bunker is always taken by dropping, even if the sand is soft, wet, or likely to plug.

In our current scenario there is no justification to place the ball.

Your cooperation ensures the course recovers quickly and remains in excellent condition for all players.

Thank you for supporting the team and respecting these protected areas.