These Local Rules are made by the Committee under Rule 8 of the Rules of Golf and the Model Local Rules recommended by The R&A and England Golf.
- Out of Bounds (Rule 18.2)
Out of bounds is defined by the line between the course-side points at ground level of white stakes or fence posts. A ball is out of bounds when it lies beyond that line. Specifically:
a) Beyond the course boundary marked by white stakes and fence posts.
b) The area beyond the line between the Clubhouse and the Pumphouse, and to the right of the 10th hole when playing the 10th hole.
c) The par-3 course, the practice putting green and the practice ground.
- Penalty Areas (Rule 17)
All penalty areas are defined by red stakes.
All penalty areas are defined by red stakes.
When a ball last crossed the margin of a red penalty area, the player may take relief using one of the options under Rule 17.1d adding one penalty stroke.
· 12th Hole additional Relief option:
On the 12th hole as an additional option, lateral relief for one penalty stroke may also be taken on the opposite side of the red penalty area to where the ball last crossed the margin, that is the same distance from the hole.
· Infinite Extensions
The red penalty areas to the left of the 2nd and 3rd holes, to the rear of the 2nd and 7th holes, and right of the 9th hole are defined on one side only and extend to infinity.
- No Play Zone – Garden to the Left of 15th Green (Rule 16.1f)
The garden marked “GUR” to the left of the 15th green is a No Play Zone and is to be treated as an abnormal course condition. Free relief must be taken under Rule 16.1f.
- Abnormal Course Conditions (Rule 16)
Ground Under Repair (GUR):
• Any area encircled by a white line and marked “GUR”.
• Tractor and machinery marks.
Modified Local Rule – Relief from Areas of Excessive Cart Traffic
Areas of the general area that have become severely damaged by cart or buggy traffic and are not artificial paths may be treated as ground under repair.
The Committee has defined these areas as GUR. They may be either:
– Marked by white lines, or
– Otherwise clearly damaged and considered unreasonable for play by the Committee.
Relief:
If a player’s ball lies in or touches such an area, or the area interferes with the player’s stance or area of intended swing, the player may take free relief under Rule 16.1.
Note: Cart tracks that are artificially surfaced remain immovable obstructions and relief is available under Rule 16.1. This Local Rule applies only to damaged turf from traffic in the general area.
Immovable Obstructions:
All artificial paths are immovable obstructions. Free relief may be taken under Rule 16.1.
- Ball Deflected by Power Line (Rule 14.6 – Model Local Rule E-11)
If it is known or virtually certain that a player’s ball hit a power line during the play of the 1st or 9th hole, the stroke does not count. The player must replay the stroke without penalty under Rule 14.6.
- Fixed Sprinkler Heads (Rule 16.1b – Model Local Rule F-5)
Fixed sprinkler heads are immovable obstructions and relief may be taken under Rule 16.1.
In addition, if a ball lies in the general area and an immovable obstruction is on the line of play and is within two club-lengths of both the putting green and the ball, the player may take free relief under Rule 16.1b.
- Immovable Obstructions
7.1 Course Furniture (Rule 16.1 – Model Local Rule F-18)
The following items on the course are defined as immovable obstructions:
• Benches
• Waste Bins (freestanding or post-mounted)
• Tee Furniture (including Tee Markers, Yardage Markers and Seed Mix Boxes)
• The Bell Post on Hole 15
Relief:
If a player’s ball lies in or on one of these obstructions, or the obstruction interferes with the player’s stance or area of intended swing in the general area, the player may take free relief under Rule 16.1.
Relief Procedure (Rule 16.1b):
• Reference Point: The nearest point of complete relief in the general area.
• Relief Area: Within one club-length of the reference point, not nearer the hole, and in the same area of the course as the reference point.
Interference exists when the ball lies in, on or touches the obstruction, or the obstruction physically interferes with the player’s stance or area of intended swing.
Interference does not exist if the obstruction only interferes with the player’s line of play.
7.2 Roping and Posts Used to Guide Foot Traffic (Rule 16.1)
Ropes and posts placed on the course to guide foot or cart traffic are immovable obstructions.
Relief:
If a player’s ball lies in or on such a rope or post, or the rope or post interferes with the player’s stance or area of intended swing in the general area, the player may take free relief under Rule 16.1.
Relief Procedure (Rule 16.1b):
• Reference Point: The nearest point of complete relief in the general area.
• Relief Area: Within one club-length of the reference point, not nearer the hole, and in the same area of the course as the reference point.
Note: There is no relief under this Local Rule for line-of-sight interference from ropes or posts when the ball lies off them but they are on the intended line of play.
Players must not remove or reposition roping or posts defined as immovable obstructions. A player who moves such a rope or post to gain relief is in breach of Rule 14.2 and receives the general penalty.
- Public Footpath Crossing Holes 10, 13 and 18
A public footpath crosses these holes.
Players must not play if any member of the public is using the footpath and could be struck by a golf ball.
- Aeration Holes (Model Local Rule E-4)
If a player’s ball lies in or touches an aeration hole:
a) Ball in the General Area: The player may take relief under Rule 16.1b. If the ball comes to rest in another aeration hole, the player may take relief again under this Local Rule.
b) Ball on the Putting Green: The player may take relief under Rule 16.1d. Interference does not exist if the aeration hole only interferes with the player’s stance or, on the putting green, with the player’s line of play.
- Preferred Lies – Model Local Rule E-3
When, in the opinion of the Committee, conditions are such that fair play is adversely affected (for example, soggy or damaged ground), the following Local Rule applies:
When This Rule Applies:
This Local Rule applies when a player’s ball lies in a part of the general area cut to fairway height or less.
Relief Allowed:
The player may take free relief once by lifting, cleaning and placing the original ball (or another ball) in a relief area:
• Reference Point: The spot where the ball lay.
• Relief Area Size: Within one club-length of the reference point.
Limits on Relief Area:
• Not nearer the hole than the reference point.
• Must lie in the general area.
• Must not be in a penalty area.
• Must not be on the putting green.
Other Requirements:
• The ball must only be placed once.
Penalty for Breach:
If this Modified Local Rule is breached (for example, placement nearer the hole or in a prohibited area), the general penalty applies under Rule 14.7a.
Duration / Removal:
This Local Rule shall remain in force only as long as conditions justify it, and shall be withdrawn as soon as practicable when ground conditions improve.
This Local Rule is in effect only when a notice is displayed on the sign at the entrance to the 1st tee indicating “Preferred Lies In Operation”.
It is good practice to mark the location of your ball before you pick it up to ensure that you place it within the correct relief area; but there is no penalty if you don’t mark it. You must lift and then place the ball by hand within the specified area of relief.
Penalty for Breach of a Local Rule
General Penalty:
• Match Play – Loss of Hole.
• Stroke Play – Two Strokes.
