These rules supplement any local rules found on the scorecard

 

INTEGRAL PART OF THE COURSE

  • Rocks and Rain Shelters are integral parts of the course
  • The ball must be played as it lies or declared unplayable

 

BUNKERS

If a player’s ball is in a bunker and there is interference from an animal foot print - this is to be treated as an abnormal course condition, the player may take either free relief under (1) or penalty relief under (2):(1) 

     Free Relief: Playing from Bunker. The player may take free relief under Rule 16.1b, except that:

  • The nearest point of complete relief and the relief area must be in the bunker.
  • If there is no such nearest point of complete relief in the bunker, the player may still take this relief by using the point of maximum available relief in the bunker as the reference point.

 

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;

RELIEF IS MANDATORY. You may not play from this GUR.  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.

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.

 

Preferred lies

“Preferred lies” will only apply if explicitly allowed by that day’s Convener or Match Committee as announced at the competition briefing or on a written Tournament Condition.  The General rule is to 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.)     Note:  The described procedure should result in moving the ball a maximum of 2 inches.

 

PENALTY FOR BREACH OF LOCAL RULES

  • Stroke Plays 2 Strokes

 

TEMPORARY LOCAL RULES

Please check the notice board outside the Starters area for temporary local rules.