Local Rules & Club Policies

Local Rules

1. Greenkeepers:

Greenkeepers have right of way at all times.

2. The Boundaries:

Out of bounds is defined by the line between course-side points at ground level of white stakes with black tops. Out of bounds is also defined by boundary fences and boundary fence posts.

A ball coming to rest on or beyond Country Club Avenue is out of bounds, even if it comes to rest on another part of the course that is in bounds for other holes.

If a ball is out of bounds, the player must take stroke-and-distance relief by adding one penalty stroke and playing the original ball or another ball from where the previous stroke was made (see Rule 14.6 & Rule 18.1b).

3. Internal Out Of Bounds:

During the play of the 14th Hole, an internal out of bounds, defined by white stakes with blacktops, is on the left side of the 14th Fairway surrounding the 15th Green.

4. Tree Roots:

If a player's ball is in the general area and there is interference from exposed tree roots that are in a part of the general area cut to fairway height or less, or in the rough within four (4) club-lengths of the edge of the ground cut to fairway height or less, the tree roots are treated as ground under repair. The player may take free relief under Rule 16.1b.

But interference does not exist if the tree roots only interfere with the player's stance.

5. Trees and Shrubs:

Young trees and shrubs that are staked or bagged are NO PLAY ZONES.

If a player's ball lies any where 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 stance or area of intended swing, the player must take full relief under Rule 16.1f.

6. Animal hoof damage and wheel mark damage:

Damage in the general area that is clearly identifiable as having been caused by an animal hoof is ground under repair from which free relief is allowed under Rule 16.1.  

Damage in the general area that is clearly identifiable as having been caused by course machinery (wheel marks/ruts) is ground under repair from which free relief is allowed under Rule 16.1.

7. Overhead wires and electricity pylons:

If a ball strikes the overhead wires or electricity pylons during the play of the 14th or 15th holes, the stroke does not count.The player must play a ball without penalty from where the previous stroke was made (see Rule 14.6 for what to do).

8. Winter Rules (when in play) preferred lies

When a player's ball lies in the general area, the ball can be marked, lifted and cleaned without penalty. The location of the original ball must be marked prior to being lifted. 

The original ball or another ball must be replaced once, within 15 centimetres of and not nearer the hole than where it originally lay and must remain in the general area.

Penalty for taking relief more than once, in Breach of Local Rule: One Penalty Stroke  Under Rule 9.4b  

Penalty for lifting the ball without marking its spot in Breach of Local Rule: One Penalty Stroke  Under Rule 14.1a

Penalty for playing ball from a wrong place inBreach of Local Rule: General Penalty Under Rule 14.7a

9. Embedded stones and gravel:

In the general area, solidly embedded stones, areas of ironstone gravel and areas of blue metal gravel are designated ground under repair. 

Free relief may be taken and is allowed under Rule 16.1b. Relief for Ball in General Area.

10. Drop zones

Permanent greenside drop zones are in use on Holes (1) & (3) & (17) - (Blue Stakes &Blue Discs

If a player's ball last crosses the margin of the penalty area between the blue stakes, the player may: 

  • Play the ball as it lies without penalty, under the same Rules that apply to a ball in the general area, or
  • Take stroke-and-distance relief under Rule 17.1d(1), adding one penalty stroke, or
  • Drop the original ball or another ball in the nearest drop zone (Blue Discs), adding one penalty stroke.The dropping zone is a relief area under Rule 14.3.  

The player may not take relief under Rule 17.1d(2)Back-On-the-Line-Relief or Rule 17.1d(3) Lateral Relief (Only for Red Penalty Area).  

11. Stake markings

Penalty Areas - Red Pegs or lines.

Ground Under Repair - White Pegs or lines. 

All stakes are to be treated as immovable obstructions.

Free relief may be taken and is allowed under Rule 16.1b. Relief for Ball in General Area

12. Bark gardens

All bark gardens are to be treated as an Abnormal Course Condition (Ground Under Repair).

Free relief may be taken and is allowed under Rule 16.1b. Relief for Ball in General Area.

13. Line of Play

Line of Play may be taken on Hole 8 (wire fence at the 9th tee), Hole 11 (CCT directional cement sign), Hole 12 / 16 (toilet block) and Hole 14 (electricity pylon).

Relief without penalty may be taken to the nearest side of the obstruction under Rule 16.1.

14. Sprinklers

Additionally, if a ball lies in the general area AND an immovable obstruction on or within 2 club lengths of the putting green AND within 2 club lengths of the ball intervenes on the line of play between the ball and the hole, the player may take relief without penalty under  Rule 16.1b.

15. Bunker washouts

Areas in bunkers where sand has been removed by the movement of water resulting washouts or in deep furrows through the sand, are designated ground under repair.

A ball coming to rest in ground under repair in a bunker may, without penalty, be lifted, cleaned and dropped at the nearest point of maximum relief in the bunker no nearer the hole. 

See Rule 16.1c Relief for Ball in Bunker for full details.

16. Practice bunker (no play zone)

The practice bunker located in the general area near the practice driving range is designated a NO PLAY ZONE. 

A ball at rest in the practice bunker MUST be lifted and dropped in the designated drop zone (blue discs), near the path leading to the practice driving range. 

There is no other free relief option for a ball at rest in the practice bunker in the general area.

17. Distance plates on fairways

Yellow 200m, Blue 150m, White 100m and Red 50m to front of green

18. Care of the course

Tees & Fairways: Please carry SAND BUCKETS, filling, restoring and repairing all divots.

Bunkers: Rake, smooth and repair any damage including divots, footprints, animal holes & washouts.

Greens: Repair and restore ALL pitch and plug marks on the green.

Relief may be taken from immovable obstructions (sprinklers), under Rule 16.1.