The Rayleigh Club (TRC) 

Local Rules for the South Course

Long Form (Notice Boards & Websites)

These Local Rules should be read in conjunction with any Temporary Local Rules currently in force. When playing Interclub Competitions, they may be modified by those published for that competition.

Penalty for Breach of Local Rules: General Penalty: - loss of hole in match play or two penalty strokes in stroke play. 

1) A) Out of Bounds (Rule 18.2) 

Beyond all boundary hedges and fences. On or beyond any white posts or lines defining the boundary of the course.

B) Internal Out of Bounds 

• Defined by white posts on the right of the first Penalty Area on the 1st hole.
  
• When playing the 1st hole, beyond the buggy path on the left-hand side of the 1st, up to the ditch. Out of Bounds is indicated by white posts with black tops. Infinity Posts have been placed at the end of the line of posts – one adjacent to the last post, the other on the other side of the 9th hole at the start of the ditch. These posts define where the Out of Bounds ends
• When playing the 6th hole, on or beyond the line of white posts with black tops, to the left-hand side of the hole.
• In or beyond the hedge on the right of the 7th.
• The course-side edge of the ditch on the right of the 9th.
• When playing the 18th hole, on or beyond the line of white posts with black tops, to the left-hand side of the hole. Infinity Posts have been placed at the end of the line of posts – one adjacent to the last post, the other on the right side of the 10th hole at the edge of the pond. These posts define where the Out of Bounds ends.
• Beyond the Penalty Areas either side of the 18th green and the bridge on leaving the 18th green.

Notes: -

1. All white out of bounds posts (and the white posts with black tops on the 1st 6th and 18th holes) are deemed to be boundary objects. There is no relief without penalty from them, and they must not in any circumstances be removed.
2. 7th, 9th and 10th holes. The white posts with black tops situated to the left of these holes, are deemed to be Immovable Obstructions when playing these holes (one way only). (see Rule 16.1)
   
   

2) Penalty Areas (Rule 17)

Penalty Areas are marked by red posts, or red tiles fixed to posts. The edge of the Penalty Area is defined by the line between the outside points of the posts at ground level. The posts are inside the Penalty Area. Red posts are moveable obstructions.

3) Putting Greens

The practice green located to the rear of the 9th is a wrong greens and free relief is required to be taken under Rule 13.1f.

4) Dropping Zones (A Drop Zone is an extra relief option under Rule 14.3) 

Five dropping zones have been provided.

1. The dropping zone for the 13th hole is towards the right of the putting green, left-hand side of the Buggy Path. This dropping zone may only be used as a penalty relief option if the player’s ball comes to rest in the large Penalty Area, in front of the Ladies tee. This Dropping Zone is a hard mat and is designated as an Integral Object.
   
   
2. The dropping zone to the right of the 14th hole putting green may only be used as a penalty relief option when a player’s ball comes to rest in the Penalty Area to the far right and back of the green behind the fencing (see No Play Zones below).
   
   
3. The dropping zone for the 15th hole is adjacent to the Ladies Tee and may be used as a penalty relief option when a player’s ball comes to rest in the large Penalty Area in front and to the right side of the Men’s and Ladies Tees.
   
   
4. The dropping zone for the 18th hole is on the left-hand side of the Buggy Path in front of the red Penalty Area and may only be used as a penalty relief option if a player’s ball comes to rest in either the Penalty Area at the left hand side of the putting green, or the Penalty Area at the far back of the putting green.
   
   
5. The dropping zone for the practice bunker area to the right of the 10th tee, is behind the practice area in front of the lake. This may be used as a free relief option if a player’s ball comes to rest in this practice area (see No Play Zones below).

5) Ball Deflected by Power Line

If it is known or virtually certain that a player’s ball hit an overhead power line during play, the stroke does not count. The player must play a ball without penalty from where the previous stroke was made (Rule 14.6).

6) Abnormal Course Conditions (including Immovable Obstructions) (Rule 16)

• Ground Under Repair is defined by any area encircled by a white line/dots.

Immovable Obstructions (Rule 16.1) 

• Staked trees, pylons, notice boards, fixed sprinkler heads, halfway house and paved surround.
• All distance-markers, tee markers, signs, signposts, benches, ball washers, waste bins, lifesaving equipment.
• Winter Tee Mats (mats that are secured).
• Protective fences on the course (unless part of a course boundary, or a Penalty Area)
• All artificially surfaced buggy paths, roads and bridges on the course.
• White posts with black tops to the left of the 7th, 9th and 10th holes.

No Play Zones (Rule 16.1f and 17.1e) 

• Temporary Winter Greens (free relief).
• Practice bunker area to the right of the 10th tee (free relief).
• Penalty Area at the rear of the 14th hole, right hand side of the green and marked by red tiles on the wooden posts, has been designated a No Play Zone (Rule 17.1e).

7) Abnormal Course Condition Close to Putting Greens (e.g. Fixed Sprinkler Head) (Model Local Rule F-5.1)

Free relief from interference by an abnormal ground condition may be taken under Rule 16.1. The player also has an extra option to take relief when such immovable obstructions are close to the putting green and on the line of play:

Ball in General Area. The player may take relief under Rule 16.1b if an immovable obstruction is on the line of play and is on, or within, two club-lengths of the putting green and within two club-lengths of the ball.

Exception - No Relief if Line of Play Clearly Unreasonable. There is no free relief under this Local Rule if the player chooses a line of play that is clearly unreasonable.

8) Integral Objects

The following are integral objects, from which free relief is not allowed. Rule 8.1a

• The Dropping Zone hard mat on the 13th hole.
• Artificial bunker faces.

9) Animal Dung

At the player’s option, animal dung may be treated either as a loose impediment that may be removed under Rule 15.1, or Ground under repair from which relief is allowed under Rule 16.1.

George Sutherland 
Rules Official 
April 2026 
Revision 6