Waste Area

A sandy or scrubby natural area on a golf course that is not maintained as part of the playing surface but is not classified as a hazard. Waste areas typically allow golfers to ground their clubs and remove loose impediments without penalty, unlike formal bunkers or hazards. These areas are often found in desert-style courses or links layouts where natural sandy terrain is incorporated into the design. Waste areas provide strategic challenges while maintaining more liberal rules than traditional sand bunkers.