Local Rules

Abnormal Course Conditions

(including immovable obstructions)

– rule 16.1

Artificially surfaced paths and roads.

All stakes, bunker rake holders, distance posts, power poles and cables, irrigation control boxes, sign posts, seats, buildings, water installations including sprinklers and spray, green plastic turf matting, all tee signs and sponsor advertising.

Integral Objects

Areas of wood-chips, course water drainage ruts, bark and dirt paths (individual wood-chips are Loose Impediments).

All gardens and plantings of native grasses in the General Area are deemed to be integral objects unless specifically listed as a No Play Zone below.

Immovable Obstructions

(e.g. sprinkler heads) Close to putting green – line of play interference Rule 16.1b applies to immovable obstructions close to putting greens.

In addition to the types of interference described in Rule 16.1a, interference also exists if an immovable obstruction is on the player’s line of play and is within two club-lengths of the putting green of the hole being played and is within two club-lengths of the ball.

The player may take relief without penalty as per Rule 16.1b. (Exception – There is no relief under this Local Rule if the player chooses a line of play that is clearly unreasonable).

Bunker Washaways

Washaways in bunkers (a channel caused by water erosion)

Relief may be taken under Rule 16.1c.

Movable Obstructions – rule 15.2 Rope barriers and metal hoops placed around greens and other areas in the General Area to protect fairway/greens areas are to be treated as Movable Obstructions and relief without penalty may be taken as per Rule 15.2a.

Ball deflected By Power lines

If it is known or virtually certain that a player’s ball hit a power line or pole, the stroke does not count. The player must play a ball without penalty from where the previous stroke was made – refer Rule 14.

Penalty Area no Play Zones

The Practice Range defined by Red and Green Stakes is a No Play Zone. When a ball is in the No Play Zone within the Penalty Area, the ball must not be played as it lies and relief must be taken under penalty of one stroke at the Dropping Zone under Rule 17.1e (Note: when playing the 3rd hole, relief must be taken under Rule 17.1e).

All dams defined by Red and Green Stakes are No Play Zones. Relief must be taken under penalty of one stroke as per Rule 17.1e.

The Driveway and Car Park areas defined by white chain fences and Red and Green Stakes. Relief must be taken under penalty of one stroke as per Rule 17.1e.

Abnormal Course Condition

The Clubhouse area paving and garden beds adjacent to the 18th green and 1st tee – Relief must be taken without penalty at the Dropping Zone.

All staked trees are No Play Zones and are Ground Under Repair – Relief must be taken without penalty as per Rule 16.1f.

The turf nursery between the 8th and 13th holes is a No Play Zone – Relief must be taken without penalty as per Rule 16.1f.

Dropping Zone

When a Dropping Zone is marked with a ‘Drop Post’ the relief area is a radius of two club lengths in any direction from the post.

Coloured Stakes:

Red – Indicate Penalty Areas

White – Indicate Ground Under Repair

Green – Indicate No Play Zones

Red and Green – Indicate No Play Zone Penalty Areas

Penalty for Breach of local rule – Is the General Penalty (Stroke Play – 2 strokes, Match Play – loss of hole)

Suspension / Resumption of Play

(rules 5.7B And 5.7C)

ONE prolonged note of the siren: Immediate Stop

TWO short notes of siren: Resume Play

Temporary Local Rule – Irrigation Works – Update Effective 29/04/2024

Posted on: 28 April

IRRIGATION WORKS

TEMPORARY LOCAL RULE – ABNORMAL COURSE CONDITIONS – Effective Monday 29/04/2024

All irrigation equipment and its associated materials on the course are considered to be Temporary Immovable Obstructions (TIO’s) under this local rule.

Physical Interference

If a player’s ball is in the general area and there is “Physical Interference” (that is, the player’s ball touches or lies in, or the TIO interferes with the player’s intended stance or area of intended swing), the player may take free relief by dropping the ball or another ball in the relief area. (see Rule 14.3).

Reference Point:

The nearest point of complete relief in the general area.

Size of Relief Area Measured from Reference Point:

One club length, but with these limits;

Must be in the general area,

Must not be nearer the hole than the reference point, and

There must be complete relief from all interference by the T.I.O.

Or,

Line of Sight Interference

If a player’s ball is in the general area and there is “Line of Sight Interference” (that is, the TIO is located on the straight line between the ball and the hole) the player may take free relief by dropping the ball or another ball in the relief area.  (see Rule 14.3).

Size of Relief Area Measured from Reference Point:

One club length from the spot where the TIO would be on the player’s direct line of sight to the hole (this one club length wide area is commonly referred to as the “corridor”).

NOTE:

LINE OF SIGHT RELIEF only applies when there is a realistic or reasonable chance that the player’s ball will reach the hole being played, otherwise the ball must be played as it lies.

There is NO RELIEF when interference exists only because the player chooses a club, type of stance or swing or direction of play that is clearly unreasonable under the circumstances; and

From Line of Sight Interference:

There is NO RELIEF when it is clearly unreasonable for a player to play the ball far enough that the ball will not reach the hole, and

There is NO RELIEF when the player cannot show that there is a stroke that he or she could reasonably play that would both (a) have the TIO (including the corridor) on the line of that stroke, and (b) result in the ball finishing on a direct line to the hole.

Rules Official – Pro Shop – (08)8381 3300