Local Rules

Temporary Local Rules

All previous temporary local rules are rescinded.

PREFERRED LIES (EAST & WEST COURSE): When a player’s ball lies in part of the general area cut to fairway height or less, the player may take a preferred lie without penalty. The ball must be marked and placed within one scorecard length, not nearer the hole and must remain in the general area.

CORED GREENS: When a player’s ball lies on the putting green, the player may mark, lift, and clean the ball, and place it within one putter-head length of its original spot, no nearer the hole, provided the ball does not rest in a core hole.

GROUND UNDER REPAIR (GUR): All areas defined by white paint are deemed to be Ground Under Repair. When a player’s ball is in one of these areas, or if it interferes with the player’s stance or the area of intended swing, relief may be taken under rule 16.1f.

SEAMS OF CUT TURF: If a player’s ball lies in or touches a seam of cut turf or a seam interferes with the player’s area of intended swing then: (a) in the General Area, the player may take relief under Rule 16.1b; (b) on the Putting Green, the player may take relief under Rule 16.1d.  Interference does not exist if the seam only interferes with the player’s stance.  In taking relief all seams within the area are treated as the same seam.

NO PLAY ZONES: Areas marked with white stakes and white ropes are defined as “No Play Zones” that are part of Abnormal Course Conditions. When a ball is in a No Play Zone, or the No Play Zone interferes with the player’s stance or swing, free relief must be taken under Rule 16.1f.

Local Rules

1. OUT OF BOUNDS: Beyond the Club’s boundary fences.
2. SANDY WASTE AREAS: All sandy waste areas including sandy areas adjacent East Course wetlands are part of the General Area.
3. DROPPING ZONES: Dropping Zones may be available as an additional relief area. They are designated by either white-lined rectangles with “DZ” in the corner or blue stakes with “Dropping Zone” marked on them. In the case of blue stakes, the dropping zone is within one club-length radius of the stake. The stake is an Immovable Obstruction. When using a dropping zone, the ball must be dropped in the dropping zone and it must come to rest in the dropping zone.
4. STAKED TREES AND SHRUBS: Trees and shrubs which are staked or guarded are No Play Zones and are Ground Under Repair (the stakes or guards are also GUR). Free relief MUST be taken under Rule 16.1f.
5. FIXED SPRINKLER HEADS: All fixed sprinkler heads are Immovable Obstructions and free relief may be taken under Rule 16-1.
6. IMMOVABLE OBSTRUCTION NEAR PUTTING GREEN: If a ball lies in the General Area, within two club-lengths of an Immovable Obstruction which is on, or within two club-lengths of, the Putting Green and intervenes on the line of play, free relief may be taken under Rule 16.1b.
7. ARTIFICIALLY-SURFACED ROAD OR PATH: The artificial surfaces and sides of roads and paths (including gravel paths) are Immovable Obstructions and free relief may be taken under Rule 16.1.
8. GARDENS: The gardens adjacent to the 1st Tee West, Clubhouse and Professional Shop are No Play Zones and are Ground Under Repair. Free relief MUST be taken under Rule 16.1b.
9. MAINTENANCE FACILITY – WEST COURSE: The whole of the area of the Maintenance Facility on the West Course, as defined by the permanent red line and red stakes with green tops, is a Red Penalty area and a No Play Zone.  Relief with a penalty of one stroke must be taken under Rule 17.1d or by using the designated Dropping Zone for the hole being played.
10. EXPOSED TREE ROOTS: On the fairway of the hole being played, exposed tree roots, or sanded areas where tree roots have been removed, are Ground Under Repair. Free relief may be taken under Rule 16-1b. Interference with the player’s stance is deemed not to be, in itself, interference under this rule.
11. RED PENALTY AREAS: Provisional Ball – If there is doubt whether a ball is in or is lost in Red Penalty Areas on the East course, the player may play another ball provisionally under any of the applicable options in Rule 17-1d. If the original ball is found outside the Red Penalty Area, the player MUST continue play with it. If the original ball is found in the Red Penalty Area, the player may either play the original ball as it lies or continue with the ball played provisionally. If the original ball is not found or identified within the 3-minute search period, the player MUST continue play with the ball played provisionally.
12. TURF NURSERIES: Turf nurseries are No Play Zones and are Ground Under Repair. Free relief MUST be taken under Rule 16.1b.
13. SUSPENSION OF PLAY: Suspension for a dangerous situation will be signalled by one long siren blast and play must stop immediately. All other suspensions will be signalled by three consecutive siren blasts and players may complete the hole being played but must not begin play on another hole. In either case, resumption of play will be signalled by two short siren blasts.   See Rule 5.7b.  Penalty for breach of rule: Disqualification.

PENALTY FOR BREACH OF LOCAL RULES:  Unless otherwise noted, the penalty for a breach of a Local Rule is the General Penalty (Stroke Play – two strokes, Match Play – loss of hole).