Local Rules

The following Local Rules apply in conjunction with the Rules of Golf.

Unless otherwise stated, the penalty for breach of a Local Rule is the General Penalty:

Match Play – Loss of Hole
Stroke Play – Two Strokes

 

1. OUT OF BOUNDS – RULE 18.2 

A ball is out of bounds when it is beyond any white stakes, fences, hedges or banks defining the boundary of the course.


1.1. Road between the 4th and 12th Holes

A ball coming to rest on or beyond the road between the 4th and 12th holes is out of bounds, even if it comes to rest on another part of the course that is in bounds for other holes.

 

2. PENALTY AREAS – RULE 17 

Penalty areas are identified by stakes and/or lines:

  • Yellow penalty areas are defined by yellow stakes or lines.
  • Red penalty areas are defined by red stakes or lines.

Relief may be taken in accordance with Rule 17.1.


2.1. 17th Hole – Swale

The swale crossing the 17th fairway is a red penalty area.

The boundary of the penalty area is defined as follows:

  • Across the fairway, the edge of the penalty area is defined by the point where the ground drops away to form the swale.
  • To the left and right of the fairway, the extent of the penalty area is identified by red stakes positioned at each end of the swale.
  • Any part of the wooden footbridge lying within the penalty area is treated as part of the penalty area.

A player may play the ball as it lies within the penalty area without penalty.

Alternatively, when it is known or virtually certain that a ball is in the red penalty area, the player may take relief for one penalty stroke under Rule 17.1d using one of the following options:

  1. Stroke-and-distance relief;
  2. Back-on-the-line relief; or
  3. Lateral relief within two club-lengths of the point where the ball last crossed the edge of the red penalty area, no nearer the hole.

 

3. ABNORMAL COURSE CONDITIONS – RULE 16


3.1 Immovable Obstructions

Immovable obstructions include:

  • Sprinkler heads;
  • Bunker drainage plugs;
  • Hydrant boxes;
  • Wooden steps;
  • Grass collection pits identified by black and white stakes;
  • All access roads through the course, including the road behind the 9th green; and
  • All artificially surfaced paths.

Free relief is available under Rule 16.1.

All other paths and tracks are integral objects and free relief is not available.


3.2 Immovable Obstructions Close to Putting Greens – MLR F-5.1

In addition to the normal types of interference under Rule 16.1a, when a ball lies in the general area, a player may take free relief under Rule 16.1b when an immovable obstruction is:

  • On the player's line of play;
  • On or within two club-lengths of the putting green; and
  • Within two club-lengths of the ball.

Complete relief must be taken, including relief from both physical and line-of-play interference.

Exception: There is no relief under this Local Rule if the player chooses a line of play that is clearly unreasonable.


3.3 Ground Under Repair – No Play Zones

All areas defined or marked by the Committee as Ground Under Repair (GUR) are designated as No Play Zones.

A ball must not be played as it lies when there is interference from such an area.

Relief must be taken under Rule 16.1f.


3.4 Young Trees – No Play Zones

Young trees identified by stakes are No Play Zones.

If a player's ball lies anywhere on the course other than in a penalty area and lies on or touches such a tree, or the tree interferes with the player's area of intended stance or area of intended swing, the player must take relief under Rule 16.1f.

If the player's ball lies in a penalty area and there is interference from such a tree, the player must proceed in accordance with the applicable relief provisions of the Rules.


3.5 Tree Plantations and Scraped Heathland Areas

Tree plantations and scraped heathland areas specifically identified by the Committee are No Play Zones treated as abnormal course conditions.

Relief must be taken under Rule 16.1f.

 

4. EMBEDDED BALL – BUNKER FACES – MLR F-2.2 

Rule 16.3 is modified as follows:

Free relief is not allowed when a ball is embedded in stacked turf faces or soil faces above bunkers.

 

5. STONES IN BUNKERS 

Stones in bunkers are loose impediments and may be removed in accordance with Rule 12.2a.

 

6. FAIRWAY MATS – MLR E-12 

This Local Rule applies only when the Committee has declared that fairway mats are in operation.

When a player's ball lies in a part of the general area cut to fairway height or less and a putter is not being used for the stroke, the player must take free relief by lifting the original ball and placing the original ball or another ball on an artificial mat and playing it from there.

The mat must be placed on top of the spot where the ball came to rest.

If the ball when placed rolls off the mat, the player must try to place it a second time. If the ball again does not stay on the mat, the mat must be moved to the nearest spot, not nearer the hole, where the ball will come to rest on the mat when placed.

If the ball on the mat is accidentally moved before a stroke is made, there is no penalty and the ball must be placed again on the mat.

If a tee is used to secure the mat into the ground, the ball must not be placed on the tee.

Penalty for Playing Ball from a Wrong Place in Breach of Local Rule: General Penalty under Rule 14.7a.

 

COURSE SAFETY, INFORMATION & ETIQUETTE 

The following are Club requirements and course information and do not form part of the Local Rules under the Rules of Golf.

 

7. GREENKEEPING STAFF – SAFETY 

Greenkeeping staff have priority on the course.

Players must not play when greenkeeping staff are within range until the staff are clear or have acknowledged that it is safe for play to proceed.

 

8. DISTANCE MARKERS 

Wooden posts positioned at the side of fairways indicate 150 yards to the centre of the green.

Fairway sprinkler heads may also display yardages to the centre of the green.

 

9. TROLLEYS AND BUGGIES 

Trolleys and buggies must be kept out of heather areas.

Trolleys and buggies must not be taken between greenside bunkers and the putting green.

 

10. BUNKER CARE 

After use, players should rake their footprints and smooth the perimeter of the bunker using the back of the rake.

Rakes should be left in the middle of bunkers.