A bare patch on a fairway allows a player to take a free drop according to our local rule. As the name implies a bare patch is a part of the course where there is no grass, it is on bare earth.
Here are examples of non-bare patches:
Why not in the rough?
The reason is that some people were taking free relief from under bushes. You only get free relief in the rough from wheel tracks from heavy vehicles or from sand filled holes created by the green staff.
When will the fairway on 12 be back in play?
The green staff have been treating the affected areas and gradually mowing it back down to a playable height. Be patient.
If you are not sure of the status of your lie, ask your marker for an interpretation. Do what is fair!