Local Rules…
1. Out of Bounds (Rule 18.2)
a. Beyond any wall, fence, hedge, white stake or white line defining the boundary of the course.
2. Penalty Areas (Rule 17)
Red and yellow stakes define the margin of the penalty areas. When both stakes and lines are used the edge of the penalty area is defined by the outside edge of the line and the stakes show where the penalty area is.
See the Local Rule board for the procedure for the penalty area on holes Pines 6th and 7th.
3. Abnormal Course Conditions (including Immovable Obstructions) (Rule 16.1)
All artificial surfaces, roads and paths on the course, the jogging trail defined by wooden posts with an orange top, steps leading into bunkers (deemed to be outside of the bunker), any ground under repair marked with a white line, the turf nursery to the right of the Forest 1st hole and irrigation control boxes.
4. Immovable Obstructions close to Putting Greens (e.g. fixed sprinkler heads)
In addition to the types of interference described in Rule 16.1a, when a ball lies in the general area, interference also exists if an immovable obstruction is: on the player’s line of play, is within two club-lengths of the putting green and is within two club-lengths of the ball. The player may take relief under Rule 16.1b. (Exception – There is no relief under this local rule if the player chooses a line of play that is clearly unreasonable)
5. Aeration Holes
If a player’s ball lies in or touches an aeration hole:
a. Ball in the General Area: The player may take relief under Rule 16.1b
b. Ball on the Putting Green: The player may take relief under 16.1d
But interference does not exist if the aeration hole only interferes with player’s stance or on the player’s line of play.
Penalty For Breach of Local Rule
Unless covered by a Rule of Golf: The general penalty [Matchplay – Loss of Hole; Strokeplay – two shot penalty]
Below are a summary of the key rule changes that occurred in 2019.
Every golfer should be familiar with these rules.
more in-depth rules and fun quizzes can be found in the link at the end of this page: –
- Drop from knee height (NOT shoulder height)
- Measure the area to drop in with the longest club in your bag (except a putter)
- Drop in and play from the relief area
- When dropping back-on-the-line, your ball cannot be played from nearer the hole than your chosen reference point
- Time to search – 3 minutes (NOT 5 minutes)
- If you accidentally move your ball when searching for it, replace it without penalty
- No penalty for a double hit – it only counts as one stroke
- No penalty if your ball hits you or your equipment accidentally after a stroke
- No penalty if your ball strikes the flagstick when you have chosen to leave it in the hole
- Spike mark and other shoe damage on the putting green can be repaired
- Ball accidentally moved on putting green – no penalty and replace
- Ball marked, lifted and replaced on putting green is moved by wind to another position –replace ball on the original spot
- Penalty areas replace water hazards, and you can move loose impediments, ground your club and take practice swings in penalty areas without penalty, just as you can on the fairway or in the rough
- You can’t take relief from a penalty area unless you are at least 95% certain your ball is in the penalty area
- In bunkers you can move loose impediments
- In bunkers you cannot touch the sand with your club in the area right in front of or right behind your ball, during your backswing or in taking practice swings
- Free relief is allowed if your ball is embedded on the fairway or in the rough (but “embedded” means that part of your ball is below the level of the ground)
- Unplayable ball in bunker – extra option to drop outside the bunker for 2 penalty strokes
- You cannot have your caddie or your partner standing behind you once you begin taking your stance
- Pace of Play – it is recommended that you take no longer than 40 seconds to make a stroke (and usually you should be able to play more quickly than that) and Ready Golf in stroke play is encouraged
A thorough ‘player’ version of the rules can be found by clicking HERE