These rules supplement any

local rules found on the scorecard

 

 

Drop Zones

  • Holes 1,2,3,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,13,14,15.16 &18, have Drop Zones.
  • Holes 4,12 & 17 do not have drop zones - as such player is to play a provisional ball.
  • The dropping zone is an additional relief option from a penalty area. You can take relief under the standard rules of golf or use the Drop Zone.

 

In a Bunker

Diggings or footprints from non-human animals are Ground Under Repair (GUR) if:

  1. The ball lies in the digging or footprint. Procedure: relief and drop according to GUR rules.
  2. The player is standing in a hole caused by digging only (not footprint).   Procedure: Player may fill and smooth the hole so that it is level with the surrounding sand. Improve only the stance.  Do not move the ball.

 

If the tyres of a vehicle have created a trench in the turf:

The trench may be treated as GUR. Minor turf depression does not qualify as GUR. It is recommended to ask fellow competitors to affirm the decision.

 

Ground Under Repair (GUR)

If an area of the course has been marked by the greenskeeper to protect new plantings, new turf, new tee boxes, new greens, etc; as GUR then RELIEF IS MANDATORY.   For Trees that are supported by stakes or wires:  Free relief is allowed from the tree, the stakes, and the wires (Nearest Point of Relief).  Relief is for the lie of the ball and the area of swing.  No relief is provided for the intended line of play Rule 16.1.

 

Preferred lies

“Preferred lies” will only apply if explicitly allowed by that day’s Convener or Tournament Committee as announced at the competition briefing or on a written Tournament Condition.  The General rule is:  Play the ball as it lies. 

 

Sprinkler Heads

Sprinkler heads are "Immovable Obstructions" and the Rules provide for relief under that definition.

  1. In addition, free relief for "line of play" is permitted from Sprinkler heads near the green: Only if all of the following 3 conditions exist:
    • The sprinkler is within 2 club lengths (90” or 225cm) of the edge of the green
    • The ball is within 2 club lengths of the sprinkler.
    • The sprinkler interferes with the line of play.
  2. Procedure:  The ball must be lifted and dropped at the nearest point to where the ball lay that
    • is not nearer the hole,
    • avoids interference, and,
    • is not in a hazard or on a putting green.

 

Green Grooves / Verticutting

If a groove has been carved by the greenskeeper around the perimeter of the green:

  1. "Free relief” is permitted only if the ball is resting IN the groove.
  2. NO RELIEF is given for stance or area of swing affected by the groove.
  3. The ball should be PLACED outside the groove, as near as possible to the original position, not nearer the hole. This may be on or off the green.
  4. Follow the same procedure for any ‘verticut’ grooves or coring holes made by the greenskeeper anywhere on the course.)