Local rules

NB! Breach of a Local Rule – General Penalty

Last updated 1st of January 2019

Sea Course

Out of Bounds (Rule 18.2)

  • Out of bounds is defined by the line between the course-side points at ground level of white stakes and fence posts.
  • All plots are out of bounds.
  • Bordering fences and stone walls define the boundaries of the course. Ball is out of bounds when it lies on the other side of the fence/wall.
  • Where a boundary is defined by a fence/wall, white stakes have been placed for visibility. These stakes are movable obstructions.
  • The boundary on hole 13 runs along the outmost boundary of the pond on the right.

Penalty Areas (Rule 17)

  • When the edge of a body of water is not defined by the Committee, the edge of that penalty area is defined by its natural boundaries (that is, where the ground slopes down to form the depression that can hold the water).
  • If the colour of a penalty area has not been marked or indicated by the Committee, it is treated as a red penalty area.
  • The boundary of the penalty area on the 17th hole inside the waste area is defined by the outside edge of the wall. The ball cannot be embedded in the sand.

Waste Areas

The prepared areas of sand containing boulders and bushes are on holes 6, 7 and 17 are part of the general area and not bunkers.

Relief from Wrong Green


When taking wrong green relief, the wrong green is defined to include the area of fairway within two club-lengths from the edge of the putting green. This means when taking relief under Rule 13.1f, the nearest point of complete relief must avoid interference from this area in addition to the wrong green.

Protection of Young Trees

The young trees identified by blue-white stakes 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 stance or area of intended swing, the player must take relief under Rule 16.1f.

Abnormal Course Conditions (including Immovable Obstructions) (Rule 16)

  • Ground under repair is defined by any area encircled by a blue stakes or white line.
  • Areas in bunkers where sand has been removed by the movement of water resulting in deep furrows through the sand are ground under repair.
  • Mushrooms that are attached on the putting green are ground under repair from which free relief is allowed under Rule 16.1d.
  • All sprinklers, distance markers, benches, ball washers, hole signs, trash pins, drainage covers and notice boards are immovable obstructions.
  • All roads and paths on the course, even if not artificially-surfaced, are treated as immovable obstructions from which free relief is allowed under Rule 16.1.

Integral Objects

All walls and fences inside the boundaries of the course are integral objects from which free relief is not available.

Alternative to Stroke and Distance for Lost Ball or Ball Out of Bounds

When a player’s ball has not been found or is known or virtually certain to be out of bounds, the player may proceed under the Stroke and Distance Local Rule for a penalty of two strokes, rather than proceeding under stroke and distance. This Local Rule is not available if a provisional ball has been played. See Model Local Rule E-5 for full details of the Local Rule.

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Stone Course

Out of Bounds (Rule 18.2)

  • Out of bounds is defined by the line between the course-side points at ground level by white stakes.
  • Bordering fences and stone walls which define the boundaries of the course are out of bounds. Ball is out of bounds when it lies on the other side of the fence/wall.
  • Where a boundary is defined by a fence/wall, white stakes have been placed for visibility. These stakes are movable obstructions.

Relief from Wrong Green

  • When taking wrong green relief, the wrong green is defined to include the area of fairway within two club-lengths from the edge of the putting green. This means when taking relief under Rule 13.1f, the nearest point of complete relief must avoid interference from this area in addition to the wrong green.

No Play Zones

  • All ancient graves marked with posts and ropes are no play zones that are to be treated as an abnormal course condition. Free relief MUST be taken from interference by the no play zone under Rule 16.1f.
  • As an extra relief option for the no play zone, a player may drop a ball in the dropping zone next to the no play zone marked with white paint and a wooden sign. The dropping zone is a relief area under Rule 14.3.

Ball Deflected by Power Line

  • If it is known or virtually certain that a player’s ball hit a power line or tower or a wire or pole supporting a power line during the play of any hole, 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).

Abnormal Course Conditions (including Immovable Obstructions) (Rule 16)

  • Ground under repair is defined by any area encircled by a blue stakes or white line.
  • Areas in bunkers where sand has been removed by the movement of water resulting in deep furrows through the sand are ground under repair.
  • Mushrooms that are attached on the putting green are ground under repair  from which free relief is allowed under Rule 16.1d.
  • All distance markers (incl. laid distance markers), sprinklers, benches, ball washers, hole signs, trash pins, drainage covers and notice boards are immovable obstructions.
  • All roads and paths on the course, even if not artificially-surfaced, are treated as immovable obstructions from which free relief is allowed under Rule 16.1.

Integral Objects

  • All walls and fences inside the boundaries of the course are integral objects from which free relief is not available.

Alternative to Stroke and Distance for Lost Ball or Ball Out of Bounds

  • When a player’s ball has not been found or is known or virtually certain to be out of bounds, the player may proceed under the Stroke and Distance Local Rule for a penalty of two strokes, rather than proceeding under stroke and distance. This Local Rule is not available if a provisional ball has been played. See Model Local Rule E-5 for full details of the Local Rule.

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