In accordance with the Rules of Golf, effective January 2023. Refer to The R&A Rules App or the Official Guide to the Rules of Golf for full Model Local Rules (MLRs).
1. Out of Bounds – Rule 18
Out of Bounds is defined by:
• All boundary fences, walls, white stakes or white lines.
• The ditch behind the 2nd and 4th greens (in or beyond).
• On or beyond the path left of the 1st tee running between the practice chipping area and the 1st/18th holes.
2. Penalty Areas – Rule 17
All penalty areas are Red Penalty Areas and are indicated by Red stakes. The edges of watercourses are defined by their natural boundaries (where the ground slopes down to form the depression) except when defined by painted lines, except as below:-
• The 16th hole Basin Lake is defined by the outside edge of the sleepers bounding it. A ball touching a sleeper is inside the penalty area
• The 17th hole Basin Lake is defined by red stakes except when defined by a painted line
• Any unmarked watercourse is to be treated as a Red Penalty Area.
3. Abnormal Course Conditions – Rule 16
a. Immovable Obstructions
All artificially surfaced paths, sprinkler heads, irrigation boxes, drain covers, sleepers, man-made steps and fixed course furniture including the half-way hut on the 9th hole.
No relief under this Rule from Boundary Objects (fences, white posts etc.) which must not be moved, or for a ball touching a sleeper bounding the 16th hole Basin Lake (see rule 2. Penalty Areas).
b. Ground Under Repair (GUR) – Optional Relief
Free relief may be taken from:
• Areas marked by white lines, white stakes, hoops, or GUR signage
• Sunken drainage channels in the general area cut to fairway height or less
• The worn trackway from the 7th tee to the 7th fairway
• Tree Roots (MLR-F9). Exposed tree roots in parts of the general area cut to fairway height or less (But relief is not allowed if the tree roots interfere only with the player’s stance)
• Water-damaged depressions in the general area on holes 2, 3, 4, and 5
c. No Play Zones (NPZ) – Compulsory Relief
Relief must be taken from:
• Areas marked with blue lines, blue stakes, or NPZ signs
• Staked trees (including any supports)
• Newly laid turf or newly seeded areas
• The mulberry tree in the left rough on the 7th hole
• All bunkers (temporary until they are filled with sand). Free relief must be taken in accordance with MLR F-18. Drop the ball outside the bunker within one club length of the nearest point of complete relief, not nearer the hole.
4. Movable Obstructions – Rule 15
All marker posts except white boundary posts are movable obstructions.
If a ball moves while removing such an obstruction, it must be replaced without penalty.
5. Wrong Putting Green – Rule 13
A ball on any green other than the one in use for the hole being played (including temporary greens) requires compulsory relief for interference with stance, lie, or swing.
6. Preferred Lies – MLR E-3 (Fairway Only)
In the general area cut to fairway height or less, a player may prefer their lie once per shot:
• Place the the original ball or another ball within 6 inches of and not nearer the hole than the spot of the original ball and in the general area.
7. Penalty for Playing from a Wrong Place
A breach of this (or any) local rule that results in playing from a wrong place is subject to the General Penalty under Rule 14.7:
• Stroke Play – Two strokes
• Match Play – Loss of hole
This applies to any instance of playing from a wrong place, whether arising from local rules or from the general rules of golf.
8. Scorecard Certification – MLR L-1
For all forms of stroke play:
• If a scorecard is returned without player or marker certification, the player will receive the general penalty (two strokes) rather than disqualification.
9. Player Conduct & Etiquette
• Rakes must be returned to the side of bunkers (once back in play), parallel to the line of play.
• Repair all pitch marks, replace divots, and use sand/seed mix where provided.
• Practice Ready Golf: be prepared to play when it is your turn.
• Groups searching for a ball should immediately allow the group behind to play through if the ball is not quickly found. (Maximum search time: 3 minutes)
• If more than one clear hole behind, or holding up faster players, groups should invite others to play through.
• Follow all buggy and trolley signage and instructions.