Local Rules

Local Rules - June 2023

1. OUT OF BOUNDS (Rule 18.2)
A ball is out of bounds if beyond the line of white stakes between the course-side points at ground level. Out of bounds is also defined by boundary ditches, hedges, fence posts or any wall surrounding the course. A player shall not stand out of bounds to play a ball that is in bounds.

2. ABNORMAL GROUND CONDITIONS (Rule 16)
a. Cracks in the ground in parts of the general area cut to fairway height or less are ground under repair, whether or not marked s such as white lines. The player may take relief under Rule 16.1b. But interference does not, however, exist and relief is not allowed if the crack only interferes with the player's stance.
b. Areas in bunkers where sand has been removed by the movement of water resulting in deep furrows through the sand are ground under repair.
c. All artificially surfaced roads, paths and tracks on the course are treated as immovable obstructions from which free relief is allowed under Rule 16.1. Any other paths are integral parts of the course.
d. Drainage runs (including gravel banding runs) - Drainage runs in parts of the general area cut to fairway height or less are ground under repair. The player may take relief under Rule 16.1b. But interference does not exist if the drainage run only interferes with the player’s stance.

3. YOUNG TREES (Rule-16)
The young trees identified by wire and or guy supports 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 area of intended stance or area of intended swing, the player must take relief under Rule 16.1f.
If the ball lies in a penalty area, and interference to the player’s stance or area of intended swing exists from such a tree, the player must take relief under Rule 17.1e.

4. FIXED SPRINKLER HEADS (Rule 16)
All fixed sprinkler heads and hydrant covers are treated as immovable obstructions from which free relief is allowed under Rule 16.1. The player also has the extra options to take relief when such immovable obstructions are close to the putting green and on the line of play:
Ball in General Area. The player may take relief under Rule 16.1b if an immovable obstruction is:
On the line of play, and is:
• Within two club-lengths of the putting green, and
• Within two club-lengths of the ball.
Exception - No Relief If Line of Play Clearly Unreasonable. There is no relief under this Local Rule if the player chooses a line of play that is clearly unreasonable.

5. PROHIBITING PLAY FROM FRINGE OF WRONG GREEN
When playing any hole, if a players ball comes to rest on a green other than the green of hole the player is playing or the players stance or area of intended swing is affected from such green, the player must take relief under Rule 13.1f. In finding the relief area to be used when taking this relief, the putting green of such hole is defined to include the area of fairway within two club-lengths from the edge of the putting green. This means that the nearest point of complete relief must avoid interference from this area in addition to the putting green.