Local Rules
UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED, THE PENALTY FOR BREACH OF A LOCAL RULE IS THE GENERAL PENALTY:
Stroke Play - Two Strokes | Match Play - Loss of Hole
1. Out of Bounds (Rule 18)
1.1. Beyond the inside line of any fence defining the boundary of the course.
1.2. Beyond the inside line of any white stakes with black tops defining the boundary of the course.
1.3. Beyond the course side edge of the clubs defined carpark, clubhouse and clubhouse surrounds as defined by white stakes with black tops, white markings or OOB signage.
1.4. All public roadways
Note: A ball which crosses a public roadway and comes to rest beyond that road is deemed out of bounds even though it may lie on another part of the course-proper.
2. Penalty Areas (Rule 17)
2.1. Red Penalty Areas are defined by red stakes,lines or plates.
2.2. Yellow Penalty Areas are defined by yellow stakes, lines or plates.
3. Abnormal Course Condition (Rule 16)
3.1. Areas encircled by white paint (including dots, broken lines or unbroken lines), or roped off by stakes and rope.
3.2. If a ball comes to rest in a position at which there is interference from the garden beyond the rear of the 8th putting green, or the garden on the right of the green, as an additional option under Rule 16.1b – A ball may be dropped in the nearest marked dropping zone without penalty. When the player is using a dropping zone, the ball must be dropped in the dropping zone and it must come to rest in the dropping zone.
3.3. Except in a penalty area, clearly defined wheel ruts made by a mower, tractor or motor vehicle.
3.4. Bare patches on fairways only (not including divots) may be treated as Ground Under Repair and relief may be taken without penalty at the nearest point no nearer to the hole.
3.5. Solidly embedded stones that are in a part of the general area cut to fairway height or less or in the rough within two club-lengths of the edge of the fairway, the embedded stones are treated as ground under repair (GUR) and relief may be taken without penalty at the nearest point no nearer to the hole. Interference does not exist if the embedded stones only interfere with the player’s stance.
3.6. Relief is available from stone, brick or block walls that are constructed to support tee’s etc such as the 3rd tee. If such a condition interferes with the players stance or intended swing, the player may take relief as provided in Rule 16.1b
4. Abnormal Course Condition – No Play Zone (Rule 16.1f)
4.1. STAKED TREES:- are no play zones and are ground under repair (the GUR includes any stakes and/or protective guards). Relief MUST be taken in accordance with 16.1b
4.2. CULTIVATED OR ORNAMENTAL GARDEN BEDS:- are defined by blue stakes or borders and are to be treated as abnormal course condition from which play is prohibited. If such a condition interferes with the players stance or intended swing, the player must take relief as provided in Rule 16.1b
5. Exposed Tree Roots - Effective from 1st May 2023
5.1. If a player's ball is in the general area and there is interference from exposed tree roots that are in a part of the general area cut to fairway height or less or in the rough within two club-lengths of the edge of the fairway, the tree roots are treated as ground under repair (GUR). The player may take free relief under Rule 16.1b. Interference does not exist if the tree roots only interfere with the player's stance. Penalty for Playing Ball from a Wrong Place in Breach of Local Rule: General Penalty Under Rule 14.7a
Note: A player should seek a ruling from their marker before relief is taken.
6. Practice Putting Green - (Rule 13)
6.1. The Practice Putting Green is a wrong green and relief is obtained under rule 13.1F. If your ball comes to rest on the practice putting green, including closely mown surface adjacent to the putting surface, you must take the nearest point relief no nearer the hole.
7. Immovable Obstructions (Rule 16)
7.1. All stakes defining penalty areas, ground under repair, distance markers.