Local Rules

OUT OF BOUNDS

• Out of bounds is defined by the line between the course-side points at ground level of white stakes and course boundaries.
• The boundary on the right side of the 9th hole is defined by the line between the course-side points at ground level of the plants forming the hedge.
• During play of Hole 13, the area of the 16th hole cut to fairway height or lower.
• A ball coming to rest on, or beyond, the road B2017 Seven Mile Lane is out of bounds, even if it comes to rest on another part of the course that is in bounds for other holes.
• A ball coming to rest on or over the driveway, or the car park beyond the putting green, is out of bounds. The wooden posts are movable obstructions, free relief can be taken under rule 15.2a.

PENALTY AREAS

The red penalty area on Hole 16 is defined by the line between the course side edge of the red stakes at ground level and the stakes themselves are in the Penalty Area and are moveable obstructions.

WRONG GREEN

Relief must be taken in any area cut to fairway height, or lower, within one club-length from the edge of the putting green.

ABNORMAL COURSE CONDITIONS

Immovable Obstructions (Rule 16.1) include:

• All Roads and paths on the course, even if not artificially surfaced are treated as immovable obstructions from which free relief is available
• Stone filled drainage ditches or channels
• The bells on Holes 3, 6 and 15
• Sheds and The Convenience between Holes 4 and 11
• Tyre ruts made by green keeping equipment
• Aeration Holes

FENCE 8th GREEN

The fence is not an integral part of the course, so if a ball comes to rest near or on the fence and interferes with the player's stance, lie, or intended swing, the player can take relief without penalty:

• Under Rule 16.1 (interference by abnormal course conditions) or
• As an extra option;  the player may drop in the nearest dropping zone to where the ball comes to rest. When using a dropping zone, the relief area will be defined, and the ball must be dropped in and come to rest within it. 

GROUND UNDER REPAIR (GUR) & No Play Zones (NPZ)

GUR Rule 16.1 is defined by any area encircled by a white line. NPZ Rule 16.1f is defined by any area encircled by a blue line.

AERATION HOLES

"If a player's ball lies in or touches an aeration hole:

• 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.
• 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, on the putting green, on the player's line of play.

Penalty for Playing Ball from a Wrong Place in Breach of Local Rule: General Penalty Under Rule 14.7a.

PROTECTION OF YOUNG TREES

The young trees identified by stakes 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.

Penalty for Playing Ball from a Wrong Place in Breach of Local Rule: General Penalty Under Rule 14.7a.

TEMPORARY LOCAL RULES

Winter Rules

During the period permitted by the County, and at other times determined by the Committee, the following Local Rule shall apply:-

When a player's ball lies in a part of the general area cut to fairway height or lower, the player may take free relief once by placing the original ball or another ball and playing it from this relief area:

• Reference Point: Spot of the original ball.
• Size of Relief Area Measured from Reference Point: one scorecard width 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.

Penalty for Playing Ball from a Wrong Place in Breach of Local Rule: General Penalty Under Rule 14.7a.

• In addition to the local rule above, where a ball is embedded in the General Area, golfers should proceed under the rules of golf - Rule 16.3.

Ruts Made By Tyres

Players may take free relief by proceeding under rule 16

Should a ball come to rest in a deep rut, not a shallow indentation, made by vehicle tyres, relief may be taken under Rule 16.1. A rut is considered deep where if a ball is lying in it, the club head cannot connect with it or follow through without interference from an edge of the rut or, if the player has to stand with a foot in it, he cannot take a normal balanced stance.

White Tee Days

Weekend days will be classed as "˜White Tee Days'. Mid-Week dates will be shown in the Club diary.

On a designated "˜White Tee day'; golfers may play from the white tee for casual play, but with the following restrictions:

• Sat/Sun - after 12.30pm
• Mon to Fri - no time restriction (mid-week dates will be shown in the Club diary)
• Time boards must be adhered to at all times.

*There are no restrictions on 4-Ball play on White Tee days other than when a competition is on the same day. Consideration should always be given to other playing groups whom are not off the white tees and are playing quicker.

Start Times

Please be reminded: when playing as a 4-Ball, in line with current by-laws, golfers must adhere to timeboards. If this is not possible due to a tee reservation, groups must wait until the designated tee becomes available.

When a tee reservation affects a 2/3-Ball start time, 2-Balls should use the 'ANY' slot accepting to play at 3/4-Ball pace.