These rules are to be read in conjunction with the club notice board.
- OUT OF BOUNDS: Defined by boundary fences and any area marked by white markers.
- WATER HAZARDS: Defined by yellow markers.
- LATERAL WATER HAZARDS: Defined by red markers.
- IMMOVABLE OBSTRUCTIONS: Irrigation equipment, bridges, fairway, stiles, signs, tractor sheds & workshops, power poles, drinking fountains, toilets.
- LIFTING WITHOUT PENALTY: To be dropped within one club length (NNH) from any cut drain (not already defined as a hazard), tree stumps, embedded rocks, tree stakes, paths and roads, wheel tracks, drain covers and garden on left side of path on 18 fairway.
- DROP ZONES: Ball in hazards behind No. 3 green, No. 5 green, No. 18 green and in front on No. 6 teeing ground, may be dropped in nearest drop zone - one stroke penalty.
- TRUNDLER PARKS: Designated trundler parks on No. 4 and No. 8 fairways - No penalty for striking equipment.
- DISTANCE MARKERS: Measured to the centre of the green. Blue - 180m, White (and marker trees) - 135m, Red - 90m.
“When a player’s ball has not been found or is known or virtually certain to be out of bounds, the player may proceed as follows rather than proceeding under stroke and distance.”
For two penalty strokes, the player may take relief by dropping the original ball or another ball in this relief area (see Rule 14.3):
For two penalty strokes, the player may take relief by dropping the original ball or another ball in this relief area (see Rule 14.3):
Model Local Rule E-5: Alternative to Stroke and Distance for Lost Ball or Ball Out of Bounds
Two Estimated Reference Points:
Size of Relief Area Based on Reference Points:
Anywhere between:
But with these limits:
Limits on Location of Relief Area
Once the player puts a ball in play under this Local Rule:
But the player may not use this option to take relief for the original ball when:
A player may use this option to take relief for a provisional ball that has not been found or is known or virtually certain to be out of bounds.
- Ball Reference Point: The point where the original ball is estimated to have:
- Come to rest on the course, or
- Last crossed the edge of the course boundary to go out of bounds.
- Fairway Reference Point: The point of fairway of the hole being played that is nearest to the ball reference point, but is not nearer the hole than the ball reference point. For purposes of this Local Rule, “fairway” means any area of grass in the general area that is cut to fairway height or less.
- If a ball is estimated to be lost on the course or last crossed the edge of the course boundary short of the fairway, the fairway reference point may be a grass path or a teeing ground for the hole being played cut to fairway height or less.
Size of Relief Area Based on Reference Points:
Anywhere between:
- A line from the hole through the ball reference point (and within two club lengths to the outside of that line), and
- A line from the hole through the fairway reference point (and within two club lengths to the fairway side of that line).
But with these limits:
Limits on Location of Relief Area
- Must be in the general area, and
- Must not be nearer the hole than the ball reference point.
Once the player puts a ball in play under this Local Rule:
- The original ball that was lost or out of bounds is no longer in play and must not be played.
- This is true even if the ball is found on the course before the end of the three-minute search time (see Rule 6.3b).
But the player may not use this option to take relief for the original ball when:
- That ball is known or virtually certain to have come to rest in a penalty area, or
- The player has played another ball provisionally under penalty of stroke and distance (see Rule 18.3).
A player may use this option to take relief for a provisional ball that has not been found or is known or virtually certain to be out of bounds.
Click here for the R & A 2019 New Rules of Golf
The reason for the majority of the changes to the rules was to speed the game up.
Most members acknowledge the use of and reference to “ready golf” is great without making it a club policy. Here are highlights to review.
The change in rule “looking for lost ball”
On the green:
Most members acknowledge the use of and reference to “ready golf” is great without making it a club policy. Here are highlights to review.
The change in rule “looking for lost ball”
- You only have 3 minutes now, NOT the previous 5 (which was never adhered to anyway).
- 4 people looking for a ball is effectively still 12 minutes. It is up the lowest handicapper to call time out and move on if a lost ball cannot be found. The club has the local rule in this instance which should be used sooner than losing a hole up front causing delays.
On the green:
- Yes you can putt when ready provided you are not affecting the line of your partners play. Leaving the pin in is an advantage in this area sooner than someone wait for someone to hold it for you. It’s your call.
- You cannot hold the pin and putt when you are close to the hole. (it’s a 2 shot penalty). If you stand close to the pin and can touch it, you are deemed to be holding it.
- The ONLY time a gimme is allowed is while playing Matchplay. And only to acknowledge the winning hole.
- If playing in a club competition, the player MUST still putt out for his score. NO EXCEPTIONS