1. OUT OF BOUNDS (Rule 18)
a. Beyond any Boundary and on or beyond any paths and roads around the clubhouse
b. Greenkeepers` compound located between the 9th and 10th hole.
c. On or over the white stakes to the left of the 13th hole.
2. ABNORMAL COURSE CONDITIONS (INCLUDING IMMOVABLE OBSTRUCTIONS)
Roads and Tracks
All roads and paths on the course, even if not artificially-surfaced, (except those identifying OB – 1b) are treated as immovable obstructions from which free relief is allowed under Rule 16.1. Also, heavy wheel ruts.
Fixed Sprinkler Heads
Relief from sprinkler heads may be taken under Rule 16.1. The player may also take free relief under Rule 16.1b is a sprinkler head is on the line of play and is:
– within two club-lengths of the putting green and
– within two club-lengths of the ball
Exceptions – There is no free relief if a player chooses a line of play that is clearly unreasonable
Exposed Tree Roots
If a player’s ball in the fairway has interference from tree roots in the fairway, free relief is available under Rule 16.1b.
Plugged or Embedded Ball
Relief for a plugged ball, or embedded ball, is allowed under Rule 16.3, where to take relief:
A Player can take relief when their ball is embedded in the general area, which is the area of the course outside of the green, teeing area, penalty areas and bunkers. The ball must be embedded, meaning part of it is below the ground, and it must be in its own pitch mark.
How to Take relief, the player can:
– The ball can be cleaned then drop the original ball or a new ball within one club length of the marked spot
– Ensure the new ball is not dropped closer to the hole than the marked spot
Bunkers
Partially flooded bunkers
Rule 16.1c covering interference from an abnormal course condition on the course – in this case the abnormal course condition would be water. If you ball has come to rest in a flooded section of the bunker but there is an area of un-flooded bunker not nearer the hole, you can take free relief. The nearest point of relief and the relief area must be in the bunker and the ball must be dropped in the bunker.
Additional information can be found under Model Local Rules MLR F-16
Completely Flooded Bunker
When a bunker is completely flooded with no chance of relief or maximum available relief, you`ll be forced to take a penalty drop outside of the bunker. You may drop the original ball, or another ball if you can`t get to the original one in the water, in a relief area based on a reference line going straight back from the hole through the spot of the original ball. You will drop under penalty of one stroke – it might seem harsh, but you were in a bunker.
It is possible for a club committee to make a local rule on a bunker filled with temporary water – Under 8F-16 Rule states- If a bunker is flooded, free relief under Rule 16-1c may not be sufficient to allow fair play. The committee can choose to treat that bunker as “ground under repair” in the general area from which free relief is allowed outside the bunker.
Additional information can be found under Model Local Rules MLR F-16
But it`s not a full get out of jail free card for flooded bunkers- the Rules continue to say that the committee should only use the local rule on a case-by-case basis and “cannot make a Local Rule that all flooded Bunkers are Ground Under Repairs”
3 NO PLAY ZONE
Young trees identified by stakes or protected by wire cages
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 interferes with the players stance or area of intended swing, the player must take free relief under Rule 16.1f.
All areas of wild and cultivated flowers marked with blue topped stakes.
Ground Under Repair
If a player’s ball lies within Ground Under Repair, the player must take relief under Rule 16.1f
Temporary Greens not in play
Planted Area between 1st and 10th tees
4 Preferred Lies (Model Rule MLR E-3) / Cleaning Ball (Model Rule MLR E-2)
The management and the committee deem that the ground conditions may cause mud to stick to the ball. (Model Rules replace any document previously issued “Winter Rules”)
Ensure that all members and visitors are aware of the Local Rule, prior to the commencement of play.
For scores to be acceptable for handicapping, the Local Rule may only allow the lie to be preferred on grass cut to fairway height or less, place the ball within 6 inches(150mm) of the original lie of the ball.
The Player must mark the spot of the ball before lifting it (See Rule 14.1)
PRACTICE GROUNDS
The following are the designated practice areas of the course
a) The mown area enclosed by the 2nd 3rd, 4th, and 11th Fairway
b) The mown area and practice bunker to the left of the 2nd Fairway
c) The area adjacent to and including the practice nets, the practice chipping green and the practice putting green.
d) The Professional`s teaching area adjacent to the 1st fairway for which separate restrictions apply on its use apply
NOTE
WARNING (PUBLIC FOOTRPATHS)
Players must ensure that persons using public footpaths have reached a place of safety before playing in their direction. Public footpaths cross the course on the following holes, 1st, 6th, 7th, 9th,10th, 13th, and 17th.
EMERGENCY CONTACT
The use of mobile telephones is restricted to outgoing calls. Should you require advise or assistance at any time please phone The Operations Team on 01628 527613.