Windleshamlocal Golf Course Rules

WindleshamLocal Golf Course Rules

1. OUT OF BOUNDS (RULE 27-1) – White Stakes

(a) Beyond any wall or fence bounding the course.

(b) Beyond the white stakes to the left of the 1st and 2nd holes.

2. FIXED SPRINKLER HEADS (RULE 24 – 2)

All fixed sprinkler heads are immovable obstructions and relief from interference by them may be obtained under rule 24 -2. In addition, if such an obstruction on or within two club lengths of the putting green of the hole being played intervenes on the line of play between the ball and the hole, the player may obtain relief, without penalty, as follows: –

If the ball lies off the putting green but not in a hazard and is within two club – lengths of the intervening obstruction, it may be lifted, cleaned and dropped at the nearest point to where the ball lay which (a) is not nearer the hole, (b) avoids such intervention and (c) is not in a hazard or on a putting green.

3. STONES IN BUNKER (RULE 24 – 1) – Stones in bunkers are movable obstructions (Rule 24 – 1 Applies)

4. PROTECTION OF YOUNG TREES (RULE 24 – 2b) – Protection of young trees identified by stakes. If such a tree interferes with a player’s stance or in the area of intended swing, the ball must be lifted, without penalty, and dropped in accordance with the procedure prescribed in Rule 24 – 2b(i) (Immovable Obstructions). The ball may be cleaned when so lifted.

5. GROUND UNDER REPAIR: PLAY PROHIBITED (Rule 25 – 1) –

a) If a player’s ball lies in an area of “ ground under repair “ from which play is prohibited, or if such an area of “ground under repair” interferes with the player’s stance or the area of his intended swing, the player must take relief under Rule 25–1

b) If a player’s ball lies close to or is soiled by bird droppings, relief may be taken under Rule 25-1

6. ARTIFICIAL DEVICES – (Rule 14-3) -Under Rule 14-3 (b) a player may use an artificial device for the sole purpose of gauging

Or measuring distances on the Course.

7. “ PREFERRED LIES” and “WINTER RULES”

If the slide for either of the above is posted on the board, the following will apply-

a) PREFERRED LIES – A ball lying on any “closely mown area” through the green, may without penalty, be lifted, cleaned and placed within six inches of where it originally lay (but not in a hazard or on a putting green) but not nearer the hole. After the ball has been so placed it is in play

b) WINTER RULES – In addition to Preferred Lies as above – through the green (but not in a hazard) a ball embedded in it’s own pitch mark may be lifted, cleaned and dropped, without penalty, as near as possible to the spot where it originally lay, but not nearer the hole.

8. AERATION HOLES – If a ball comes to rest in an aeration hole on a putting green, the player may, without penalty, lift the ball and clean it. The player shall replace the ball at the nearest spot, not nearer the hole, which avoids such situation.

9. ROADS & PATHS – All made up and artificial paths are Immovable Obstructions and players are entitled to relief from interference from paths under Rule 24(2). Interference is deemed to occur when the ball lies in or on or so near the Obstruction that it interferes with the player’s stance or the area of his intended swing

10. BRIDGES – All bridges are deemed to be Immovable Obstructions and players are entitled to relief from interference from bridges EXCEPT where the bridge is within the boundaries of a hazard, in which case the bridge is part of the hazard and there is no relief if a ball lies in the hazard. However if the player chooses to play a ball lying on the bridge within the hazard the club may be grounded without penalty on the bridge (obstruction) Rules of Golf; 13-4/24 (2b.Note1) and 13-4/26 (1) along with 13–4 / 30 apply.

11. LAKE ON 1ST & 9TH HOLES – If there is doubt whether a ball is in or is lost in the lake on the 1st or 9th holes, the player may play another ball provisionally under any of the applicable options in Rule 26-1.

If the original ball is found outside the lake, the player must continue play with it.

If the original ball is found in the lake, the player may either play the original ball as it lies or continue with the ball played provisionally under Rule 26-1.

If the original ball is not found or identified within the five-minute search period, the player must continue with the ball played provisionally.

12.DROPPING ZONES – If a ball is in or it is known or virtually certain that a ball that has not been found is in the lateral water hazard to the left of the 7th green, the water hazard on the 9th hole and the back of the 16th green, the player may:

(i) proceed under Rule 26-1; or

(ii)as an additional option, drop a ball, under penalty of one stroke, in the dropping zone. (The dropping zone is defined by either a white line or anywhere behind the dropping zone sign on the side furthest away from the hole).

13) PUTTING GREEN- When a player’s ball lies on the putting green, there is no penalty if the ball or ball-marker is accidentally moved by the player, his partner, his opponent, or any of their caddies or equipment.

The moved ball or ball-marker must be replaced as provided in Rules 18-2, 18-3 and 20-1.

This Local Rule applies only when the player’s ball or ball-marker lies on the putting green and any movement is accidental.

Note: If it is determined that a player’s ball on the putting green was moved as a result of wind, water or some other natural cause such as the effects of gravity, the ball must be played as itlies from its new location. A ball-marker moved in such circumstances is replaced."

WATER HAZARDS ARE DEFINED BY YELLOW STAKES

LATERAL WATER HAZARDS ARE DEFINED BY RED STAKES

PENALTY FOR BREACH OF ANY LOCAL RULE:

Match Play – Loss of Hole Stroke Play – Two Strokes