LOCAL RULES and TERMS OF COMPETITION

 

Unless otherwise noted, the penalty for breach of a Local Rule is the general penalty.

 

1. Out of Bounds (Rule 18.2)

1a) Beyond any wall, fence, hedge or line of white stakes defining the boundary of the course.

1b) On or beyond any white line defining the boundary of the course.

This is true even if the ball comes to rest on another part of the course that is in bounds for other holes

 

 

2. Penalty Areas (Rule 17)

2a) When a penalty area adjoins a boundary the penalty edge extends to and coincides with the boundary

2b) When a player’s ball is found in, or it is known or virtually certain to have come to rest in, a red penalty area, where the ball last crossed the edge of the penalty area at a point that coincides with the boundary of the course, opposite side relief is available.

• Reference Point: The estimated point on the opposite edge of the penalty area that is the same distance from the hole as the estimated point where the original ball last crossed the edge of the red penalty area.
• Size of Relief Area Measured from Reference Point: Two club-lengths, but with these limits:
• Limits on Location of Relief Area:
  • • Must not be nearer the hole than the reference point, and
    • May be in any area of the course except the same penalty area, but
    • If more than one area of the course is located within two club-lengths of the reference point, the ball must come to rest in the relief area in the same area of the course that the ball first touches when dropped in the relief area.

2c)  Where a dropping zone is marked for a penalty area, it is an additional option for relief under a penalty of one stroke. The dropping zone is a relief area. A ball must be dropped in, and come to rest in, the relief area

 

3. Abnormal Course Conditions (including immoveable obstructions) (Rule 16)

 

3a) Ground Under Repair

(1) Any area bounded by a white line or dotted white line

(2) French Drains (stone filled drainage ditches) – But interference does not exist if the drain only interferes with the player’s stance.

(3) Seam of cut turf - If a player’s ball lies in or touches a seam of cut turf or a seam interferes with the player’s area of intended swing:

(a) Ball in General Area. The player may take relief under Rule 16.1b.
(b) Ball on Putting Green. The player may take relief under Rule 16.1d.

But interference does not exist if the seam only interferes with the player’s stance.

All seams within the area of cut turf are treated as the same seam in taking relief. This means that if a player has interference from any seam after dropping the ball, the player must proceed as required under Rule 14.3c(2) even when the ball is still within one club-length of the reference point.

 

3b) Immoveable Obstructions

(1) White lined areas, and any immoveable obstruction they tie into, are treated as a single abnormal course condition

(2) Landscaped garden areas, and everything growing in them, that are surrounded by an immoveable obstruction, are treated as a single abnormal course condition

(3) Roads or paths surfaced with woodchip or mulch. Individual pieces of woodchip are loose impediments

 

3c) Embedded Ball

            Rule 16.3 is modified in this way : No free relief is allowed for a ball embedded in the stacked turf face above a bunker

 

4. Immoveable Obstructions Close to Putting Greens

In addition to the types of interference described in Rule 16.1a, when a ball lies in the general area, interference also exists if an immovable obstruction is:

 

• on the player’s line of play,
• is within two club-lengths of the putting green,
• and is within two club-lengths of the ball. 

 

The player may take relief under Rule 16.1b. (Exception – There is no relief under this Local Rule if the player chooses a line of play that is clearly unreasonable.

 

5. Ball played from outside relief area when taking back-on-the-line relief

 

When taking Back-On-the-Line relief, there is no additional penalty if a player plays a ball that was dropped in the relief area required by the relevant Rule (Rule 16.1c(2), 17.1d(2), 19.2b or 19.3b) but came to rest outside the relief area, so long as the ball, when played, is within one club-length of where it first touched the ground when dropped.

 

This exemption from penalty applies even if the ball is played from nearer the hole than the reference point (but not if played from nearer the hole than the spot of the original ball or the estimated point where the ball last crossed the edge of the penalty area).

 

This Local Rule does not change the procedure for taking Back-On-the-Line relief under a relevant Rule. This means that the reference point and relief area are not changed by this Local Rule and that Rule 14.3c(2) can be applied by a player who drops a ball in the right way and it comes to rest outside the relief area, whether this occurs on the first or second drop.

 

6. Protection of Young Trees

 

Young trees identified by wrapping, stakes or otherwise protected are no play zones:

• If a player’s ball lies anywhere on the course other than in a penalty area and it lies on or touches such a tree or such a tree interferes with the player’s stance or area of intended swing, the player must take relief under Rule 16.1f.
• If a ball lies in a penalty area, and interference to the player’s stance or area of intended swing exists from such a tree, the player must take relief either with penalty under Rule 17.1e or with free relief under Rule 17.1e(2).

 

7. Limiting when stroke made from putting green must be replayed (Rule 11.1b)

 

Exception 2 to Rule 11.1b applies except that when a ball played from the putting green accidentally hits

• The player
• The club used by the player to make the stroke
• An animal defined as a loose impediment (i.e. worms, insects and similar animals that can removed easily)

The stroke counts and the ball must be played as it lies (Penalty for playing from a Wrong Place in breach of local rule: General Penalty)

 

8. Integral Objects

The following are integral objects from which free relief is not allowed:

6a)  Bunker Liners in their intended position

6b) Wires, cables, wrappings or other objects where they are closely attached to trees or other permanent objects

6c)  Artificial retaining walls and pilings when located in penalty areas

 

9. Suspension of Play (Rule 5.7)

 

The following signals will be used to suspend and resume play:

• Immediate stop for imminent danger – one prolonged note of a siren
• Stop for non-dangerous situation – three consecutive notes of a siren
• Resumption of play – two consecutive notes of a siren

Note : When play is stopped for imminent danger all practice areas will be immediately closed.

 

10. Eligibility

 

Players must meet the eligibility provisions established in the relevant Terms of Competition for the specific Tournament

 

11. Deciding Ties

 

The method for deciding ties is provided on the relevant entry form.