Local Rules

To be read in conjunction with the Rules of Golf

Rules of Golf

LOCAL RULES

COURSE CONDITIONS

Out of Bounds – Rule 18.2

  • Outside the Club boundary fence.

Abnormal Course Conditions (Including Immovable Obstructions) – Rule 16.1

  • Artificially surfaced paths and roads.
  • All stakes, bunker rake holders, distance posts, power poles and cables, irrigation control boxes, signposts, seats, buildings, water installations (including sprinklers and spray), green plastic turf matting, all tee signs, and sponsor advertising.

Integral Objects

  • Areas of woodchips (Individual woodchips are Loose Impediments), course water drainage ruts, bark, and dirt paths.
  • Gardens and plantings of native grasses in the General Area are deemed integral objects unless designated as a No Play Zone.

Immovable Obstructions Near Putting Greens – Rule 16.1b

  • If an immovable obstruction is on the player’s line of play, within two club-lengths of the putting green, and within two club-lengths of the ball, free relief may be taken.
  • Exception: No relief if the chosen line of play is clearly unreasonable.

Bunker Washaways – Rule 16.1c

  • Relief may be taken from washaways in bunkers (channels caused by water erosion).

Movable Obstructions – Rule 15.2

  • Rope barriers and metal hoops placed around greens and other areas are Movable Obstructions. Free relief may be taken.

Ball Deflected by Power Lines – Rule 14

  • If a ball hits a power line or pole, the stroke does not count. The player must play a ball without penalty from the previous stroke location.

No Play Zones

  • Lefthand side of the 7th and 8th Fairways and the Practice Range

The abovementioned NO PLAY ZONES are defined by GREEN STAKES on the lefthand side of the 7th, 8th and 4th fairways (which includes the Practice Range) and all those areas are designated NO PLAY ZONES and are to be treated as “Abnormal Course Conditions”.

The ball MUST NOT be played as it lies in any of the No Play Zones.             

FREE RELIEF:                                                                                                                                                   Free relief MUST be taken on the fairway side of the respective NO PLAY ZONE in accordance with Rule 16.1a.                                                                                                                                                A ball must be dropped at the nearest point of complete relief and within one club length from the reference point.

Free Relief must not be taken from the point of entry of the No Play Zone.

Penalty for playing from the wrong place is the General Penalty (2 strokes)

 

  • The Practice Range defined by Green Stakes is a No Play Zone.
  • All dams (defined by Red and Green Stakes) are No Play Zones.
  • The Driveway and Car Park (defined by white chain fences and Red and Green Stakes) are No Play Zones.
  • Clubhouse area paving and garden beds near the 18th green and 1st tee – Free Relief must be taken at the Dropping Zone.
  • Staked trees – No Play Zones and Ground Under Repair. Free Relief must be taken without penalty.
  • Turf nurseries (7th & 8th holes) – No Play Zones. Free Relief must be taken.

Dropping Zones

  • When a Dropping Zone is marked with a ‘Drop Post,’ the relief area extends two club lengths in any direction from the post.

Coloured Stakes Meaning

  • Red – Penalty Areas.
  • White – Ground Under Repair.
  • Green – No Play Zones.
  • Red & Green – No Play Zone Penalty Areas.

Penalty for Breach of Local Rule

  • General Penalty:

o             Stroke Play – 2 strokes.

o             Match Play – Loss of hole.

Suspension & Resumption of Play (Rules 5.7b & 5.7c)

  • One prolonged siren note: Immediate stop.
  • Three consecutive siren notes: Normal stop.
  • Two short siren notes: Resume play.

TEMPORARY LOCAL RULES

Irrigation Works – Ground Under Repair

  • Any damage caused by irrigation contractors during installation or reinstatement is treated as Ground Under Repair.
  • Includes vehicular tread-marks, trench levelling, non-reinstated surfaces, holes, turf sods, machine-damaged areas, loose soil, seams of new turf, and adjacent unrepaired areas.
  • Free relief may be taken in accordance with Rule 16.1a.

Relief Area:

  • Reference point: The nearest point of complete relief in the general area.
  • Size of Relief Area: One club length, within these limits:

o             Must be in the general area.

o             Must not be nearer the hole than the reference point.

o             Must provide complete relief from interference.

Tree Stumps

  • Tree stumps marked with a white stripe are immovable obstructions.
  • Free relief may be taken under Rule 16.1a.

Tree Roots in Fairways

  • If a ball is in the general area (cut to fairway height or less) and there is interference from exposed tree roots, the tree roots are treated as Ground Under Repair.
  • Free relief may be taken under Rule 16.1b.

Aeration Holes & Scarification Marks

  • Free relief may be taken from an aeration hole or scarification mark in the general area or on the putting green.