CURRENT - LOCAL RULES
A-1
Boundaries and Boundary Edges
Out of Bounds (Rule 18.2)
Out of bounds is defined by white posts, hedges or boundary fences.
The Academy practice area located between holes 1, 4, 17 and 18 is out of bounds as defined by the white posts surrounding the area.
B-1
Penalty Areas
Penalty Areas (Rule 17)
All penalty areas on the course have been designated red penalty areas. These are marked by red stakes and red lines. Where the lines are not visible:
On holes 4, 8, 9, 11, 12 and 17 the penalty area is defined by an imaginary line following the watercourses at a constant distance defined by the red posts
The penalty area adjacent to the 17th green is defined by the outer limit of the wooden sleepers.
In all other cases the penalty area is defined by a straight line between the red posts.
B-4
Defining Open Watercourse as Part of General Area
The unmarked ditches on the course are to be treated as part of the general area and not as a penalty area.
E-3
Preferred Lies
This LR is only in force during the winter season. Notification of use will be through the main noticeboard to the right of the clubhouse entrance.
When any part of a player's ball touches part of the general area cut to fairway height or less, the player may take free relief once by placing the original ball or another ball in and playing it from this relief area:
- Reference Point: Spot of the original ball.
- Size of Relief Area Measured from Reference Point: 6 inches from the reference point, but with these limits:
- Limits on Location of Relief Area:
Must not be nearer the hole than the reference point, and
Must be in the general area.
In proceeding under this Local Rule, the player must choose a spot to place the ball and use the procedures for replacing a ball under Rules 14.2b(2) and 14.2e. But for the purposes of applying Rule 14.2e, the player has only chosen the spot on which to place the ball once the ball has been set down, and the player has let the ball go with the intent for that ball to be in play. After a ball has been placed and is in play under this Local Rule, if the player then proceeds under another Rule that provides relief, this Local Rule may be used again.
E-4
Aeration Holes
If a player’s ball lies in or touches an aeration hole:(a) Ball in General Area. The player may take relief under Rule 16.1b. If the ball comes to rest in another aeration hole the player may take relief again under this Local Rule.(b) Ball on Putting Green. The player may take relief under Rule 16.1d. But interference does not exist if the aeration hole only interferes with the player’s stance or area of intended swing or, on the putting green, on the player’s line of play.
E-8
No Play zones
The bottom area of the 3rd fairway, along with areas of newly planted heather on the 11th holes, marked by NPZ stakes, are no play zones that are treated as abnormal course conditions. This is the same for the left of 17th hole which is determined by rope and post. Relief must be taken from interference by the no play zone under Rule 16.1f.
E-10
Protection of Young Trees
The young trees identified by stakes and/or protective fencing or tethering on the 1st, 4th and 18th holes 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 area of intended stance or area of intended swing, the player must take relief under Rule 16.1f.
If the 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 under Rule 17.1e.
E- 12
Tee Mats
Where present, tee mats comprise the teeing area. When starting a hole from the tee mat the player must stand and play a ball from the mat.
F-1
Abnormal Course Conditions, integral objects and immoveable obstructions
Abnormal Course Conditions
- Ground under repair is defined by any area encircled by either a white line or rope.
- Drainage lines in the general area.
- Vehicle and tractor marks in the general area.
- It is mandatory to take relief from the above areas.
Integral Objects
- The bridges on holes 4, 8, 11 and 17.
- The black, rubber crumb bunker liners
- The wooden sleepers lining the penalty area adjacent to the 17th green
Immoveable obstructions
- Drainage holes on the 1st and 10th greens
- Fixed sprinkler heads, fixed drain and water hydrant covers
- Steps, ball washers, bins, bells, water fountains, signage and wooden huts
- Rubber mats
F-2
Limited Relief for Embedded Ball
Rule 16.3 is modified in this way:
Free relief is not allowed when a ball is embedded in stacked turf faces or soil faces above bunkers.
F-5
Immovable Obstructions Close to Putting Greens
Relief from interference by an immovable obstruction may be taken under Rule 16.1. The player has an extra option to take relief when such immovable obstructions are on or 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.
But complete relief must be taken, which includes both physical and line of play interference. Exception – No Relief If Line of Play Clearly Unreasonable. There is no relief under this Local Rule if the player chooses a line of play that is clearly unreasonable.
F-17
All Roads and Paths Treated as Obstructions
All roads and paths on the course which are artificially-surfaced are treated as immovable obstructions from which free relief is allowed under Rule 16.1.
This includes the track to the right of and behind the 1st hole.
F-18
Treating Movable Objects to Be Immovable
All stakes and distance markers on the course are treated as immovable obstructions from which free relief is allowed under Rule 16.1. Relief is not allowed to be taken under Rule 15.2.
Penalty for breach of local rule:
Matchplay- Loss of hole
Strokeplay- Two Strokes
Version 24.01
18th March 2024
