Local Rules 2023

Please take a look at the local rules to be introduced this coming year. The Comps committees will be looking to hold reviews of these on a biennial basis, so any feedback is welcome:

1)        Out of Bounds - Rule 18.2a

Beyond any hedge or fence forming the boundary of the course, including the area of the greenkeeper’s compound, as defined by the white marker posts. Also:

a)        On the Clubhouse veranda, its surrounding path including the car park, flower beds, and beyond the 1st tee including the putting green

b)        To the left of the 1st fairway, as defined by the white marker posts

c)        Along the road to the right of the 4th tee up to the boundary of and including the greenkeepers compound

d)        Beyond the path at the back of the 4th green and 5th tee

e)        Beyond the line of white marker posts at the rear of the green on the 5th hole

f)         Beyond the line of white marker posts at the rear of the green on the 6th hole

g)        Beyond the path as defined by the white marker posts to the course boundary down the slope when playing towards the 11th and 13th holes

h)        Over the line of white marker posts beyond the 16th teeing area when playing the 15th hole

i)         To the right of the white marker posts from the 16th teeing area to beyond the compound on the 16th hole up to the ditch 

2)        Penalty areas - Rule 17

All penalty areas are defined by red posts from which relief with a one-stroke penalty is allowed if the ball is known to, or virtually certain to, have entered the penalty area.

a)        If a ball is in the penalty area beyond the 17th green, as defined by red marker posts, including when it is known or virtually certain that a ball that has not been found came to rest in the penalty area, the player has these relief options, each for one penalty stroke:

i)            Take relief under Rule 17.1, or

ii)           As an extra option, drop the original ball or another ball in the dropping zone, if defined, to the left of the bell next to the path. The dropping zone is a relief area under Rule 14.3

3)        Abnormal Course Conditions (including Immovable Obstructions) - Rule 16

a)        Ground Under Repair (GUR) is defined by any area encircled by a white line – A mandatory drop MUST be taken from GUR

b)        GUR includes the exposed rock garden to the left of the 18th fairway (not marked)

c)        Areas in bunkers where sand has been removed by the movement of water resulting in deep furrows through the sand are ground under repair

d)        Deep Tractor Marks / Wheel Tracks are deemed to be GUR.

e)        The following are all deemed to be immovable obstructions and relief from interference by an immovable obstruction.

i)            All artificial paths and road surfaces

ii)            The nets protecting the greenkeeping compound and the 6th tee

iii)            All staked trees, including any felled tree trunks

iv)            Fixed fairway distance markers embedded in the centre of the fairways.

v)            Inspection covers and grids, including the stop valve on the raised mound to right hand side of the 16th fairway

vi)            Pylons and pylon bases, but only where it interferes with stance or intended line of swing, NOT if it interferes with the intended ball flight direction

f)         Any defined green or tee, including the practice green and practice bunker within the boundaries of the Academy Course (Practice ground to the left of the 14th, 15th and 16th fairways, defined by Coloured Stakes) will be deemed as Ground Under Repair.

g)        All fixed sprinkler heads are immovable obstructions and relief from any interference may be obtained under rule 16.1b.

h)        Paths, and paths associated with the bridges on holes 16 and 17 are deemed immovable obstructions and relief without penalty is available should such a feature interfere with a player’s stance or swing. Please note that free relief is not available should the ball lie in the adjacent hazard.

4)        Power Lines - Rule 14.6

If it is known or virtually certain that a player’s ball hit a power line during the play of the 12th, 13th or 14th hole, the stroke does not count. The player MUST play a ball without penalty from where the previous stroke was made

5)        Additional local rules

These may apply from time to time and will be displayed on the club notice board and available to view in the Professional’s shop. Penalty for breach of local rule:

a)        Match Play – loss of hole

b)        Stroke Play – 2 stroke penalty