Rest Area
A rest area is a marked-off area on the golf course that you as a player must not enter so that it can recover or stay protected.
The rest area, also called a protected zone, is defined on the scorecard or by notice and marked on the course by stakes or markings. Often these are newly seeded spots, freshly aerated surfaces or areas with sensitive soil. Flower meadows, breeding grounds and ecological compensation areas also count among them. The purpose is always the same: the area is to recover without stress from ball contact, footsteps or divots. On some courses whole sections are temporarily declared rest areas after heavy rain.
Clear rules apply to your play. If your ball lands in a rest area you must not play it from there. You take relief, usually as a free drop outside the zone, without a penalty stroke. Example: your tee shot lands on a newly seeded spot beside the fairway that is marked with stakes. You determine the nearest point of complete relief and drop within one club length. Entering the area to retrieve the ball is usually tolerated, but playing from it is not.
A typical mistake is playing the ball out of ignorance or convenience. If you play from a rest area you violate the local rules and risk the general penalty in competition play. Crossing the area with a trolley or cart is also not acceptable. The markings are not a nuisance — they ensure that the area is playable again in a few weeks. If you ignore them you harm the course and ultimately yourself.
FAQ
What do I do if my ball lands in a rest area?
You must not play it from there but take relief instead: you determine the nearest point outside the zone where the area no longer interferes with you and drop there within one club length. That is a free drop without a penalty stroke. Briefly stepping in to pick up the ball is usually tolerated, playing from the area is not.
How do I recognize a rest area on the course?
It is marked by stakes or markings and defined on the scorecard or by notice. Typical are newly seeded spots, freshly aerated surfaces or ecological areas such as flower meadows and breeding grounds. After heavy rain some courses also temporarily declare whole sections protected zones.
What happens if I play from a rest area anyway?
You violate the local rules and risk the general penalty in competition play. Apart from that you harm the course: the marked-off area is meant to recover without footsteps and ball contact, and every shot from it delays that. If you respect the marking you will be playing on healthy turf again a few weeks later.