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The Rules of Play

A Quick Guide to the Rules of Golf As golf is a self-regulating game, all golfers should have a good understanding of the basic Rules. The Rules of Golf should be consulted whenever any doubt arises.

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The Rules of Play

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  1. A Quick Guide to the Rules of GolfAs golf is a self-regulating game, all golfers should have a good understanding of the basic Rules. The Rules of Golf should be consulted whenever any doubt arises.

  2. General PointsBefore commencing your round:● Read the Local Rules on the score card or on the notice board.● Put an identification mark on your ball. Many golfers play the same brand and model of ball and if you can’t identify, it is considered lost. (Rules 12-2 and 27-1)● Count your clubs.You are allowed a maximum of 14 clubs. (Rule 4-4)

  3. During the round:● Don’t ask for “advice” from anyone except your partner(i.e. a player on your side) or your caddies.● Don’t give advice to anyone except your partner.● You may ask for information on the Rules, distance and position of hazards, the flagstick etc. (Rule 8-1)● Don’t play any practice shots during play of a hole. (Rule 7-2)

  4. At the end of your round● In match play, ensure that the result of your match is posted.● In stroke play, ensure that your score card is completed properly and return it as soon as possible. (Rule 6-6)

  5. The Rules of Play

  6. Tee Shot (Rule 11)Play your tee shot from between, and not in front of, the tee-markersYou may play your tee shot from up to 2 club-lengths behind the front line of the tee-markers.If you play your tee shot from outside this area, in matchplay there is no penalty, but your opponent may require you to replay your stroke.In stroke play you incur a 2 stroke penalty and must correct the error by playing from within the correct area.

  7. Playing the Ball (Rules 12,13,14 and 15)If you think a ball is yours but cannot see your identification mark, with the permission of your marker or opponent, you may mark and lift the ball to identify it. (Rule 12-2 )Play the ball as it lies.Don’t improve your lie, the area of your intended stance or swing, or your line of play by moving, bending or breaking anything fixed or growing except in fairly taking your stance or making your swing.Don’t improve your lie by pressing anything down. (Rule 13-2)

  8. Playing the Ball (Rules 12,13,14 and 15)If your ball is in a bunker or a water hazard, don’t touch the ground in either type of hazard, or touch water in a water hazard, with your hand or club before your downswing and don’t move loose impediments. (Rule 13-4)You must swing your club and make a stroke at the ball.It is not permissible to push, scrape or spoon the ball. (Rule 14-1) If you play a wrong ball, in match play you lose the hole; in stroke play you incur a 2 stroke penalty and you must then correct the mistake by playing the correct ball. (Rule 15-3)

  9. On the Putting Green (Rules 16 and 17)You may mark, lift and clean your ball on the putting green; always replace it on the exact spot. (Rule 16-1b) You may repair ball marks and old plug holes, but not any other type of damage, such as spike marks. (Rule 16-1c) When making a stroke on the putting green, you should ensure that the flag is removed or attended.The flagstick may also be removed or attended when the ball lies off the putting green. (Rule 17)

  10. Ball at Rest Moved (Rule 18)Generally, when the ball is in play, if you accidentally cause your ball to move, lift it when not permitted or move it after you have addressed it, add a penalty stroke and replace your ball.However, see the exceptions under Rule 18-2a. (Rule 18-2)If someone else moves your ball at rest or it is moved by another ball, replace it without penalty to you.

  11. Ball in motion Deflected or Stopped(Rule 19)If a ball struck by you, your partner, or your caddie or your equipment, add a penalty stroke and the ball is played as it lies. (Rule 19-2)If a ball struck by you is deflected or stopped by another ball at rest, there is no penalty and play the ball as it lies, except in stroke play where you incur a 2 stroke penalty if your ball and the other ball were on the putting green before you player. (Rule 19-5a)

  12. Lifting, Dropping and Placing the Ball(Rule 20)Before lifting a ball that has to be replaced (e.g. when the ball is lifted on the putting green to clean it), the position of the ball must be marked. (Rule 20-1)When a ball is being lifted in order to drop or place it in another position (e.g. dropping within 2 club-lengths under the unplayable ball Rule), it is not mandatory to mark its position although it is recommended that you do so.When dropping stand upright, hold the ball at shoulder height and arm’s length and drop it.

  13. Lifting, Dropping and Placing the Ball(Rule 20)A dropped ball must be re-dropped if it rolls to a position where there is interference from the condition from which the free relief is being taken (e.g. an immovable obstruction), if it comes to rest more than 2 club-lengths from where it was dropped, or it comes to rest nearer the hole than its original position, the nearest point of relief or where the ball last crossed the margin of a water hazard.There are 9 situations in total when a dropped ball must be re-dropped and they are covered in Rule 20-cIf a dropped ball for a second time rolls into any of these positions, place it where it first struck the course when re-dropped.(Rule 20-2c)

  14. Ball Assisting or Interfering with Play (Rule 22)You may lift your ball or have any other ball lifted if you think the ball might assist another player.You must not agree to leave a ball in position in order to assist another player.You may have any ball lifted if it might interfere with your play.A ball that is lifted due to assisting or interfering with play must not be cleaned, unless it is lifted from the putting green.

  15. Loose Impediments (Rule 23)You may lift any loose impediment (i.e. natural loose objects such as stones, detached leaves and twigs) unless the loose impediment and your ball are in the same hazard.If you remove a loose impediment and this causes your ball to move, the ball must be replaced and (unless you are on the putting green) you incur a 1 shot penalty. (Rule 23-1)

  16. Movable Obstruction (Rule 24-1)Movable obstructions (i.e. artificial movable objects such as rakes, tin cans etc.) located anywhere may be moved without penalty.If the ball moves as a result, it must be replaced without penalty.If a ball is on a movable obstruction, the ball may be lifted, the obstruction removed and the ball dropped, without penalty, on the spot directly under where the ball lay, except that on the putting green, the ball is placed on that spot.

  17. Immovable Obstruction and Abnormal Ground Conditions(Rules 24-2 and 25-1)An immovable obstruction is an artificial obstruction such as a building or an artificially- surfaced road (check the Local Rules for the status of roads and paths)An abnormal ground condition is either casual water, ground under repair or a hole, cast or runway made by burrowing animals, a reptile or a bird.Except when the ball is in a water hazard, free relief is available from immovable obstructions and abnormal ground conditions when the condition physically interferes with the lie of the ball, your stance, or your swing.

  18. Immovable Obstruction and Abnormal Ground Conditions(Rules 24-2 and 25-1)You may lift the ball and drop it within 1 club-length of the“nearest point of relief (see Definition of Nearest Point of Relief), but not nearer the hole than the nearest point of relief.If the ball is on the putting green, it is placed at the nearest point of relief.There is no relief or intervention on your line of play unless both your ball and the condition are on the putting green.As an additional option when the ball is in a bunker, you may take relief from the condition behind the bunker under penalty of 1 stroke

  19. Water Hazards (Rule 26)If your ball is in a water hazard (yellow stakes and/or lines) you may play the ball as it lies or, under penalty of 1 stroke;● play a ball from where you hit the ball into the hazard, or● drop any distance behind the hazard keeping a straight line between the hole, the point where the ball last crossed the margin of the water hazard and the spot on which the ball is dropped.

  20. Lost Ball or OUT of Bounds; Provisional Ball(Rule 27)Check the Local Rules on the score card to identify the boundaries of the course.If your ball is lost outside a water hazard or out of bounds you must play another ball from the spot where your last shot was played, under penalty of 1 stroke, i.e. stroke and distance.You are allowed 5 minutes to search for a ball, after which, if it is not found or identified, it is lost.

  21. Lost Ball or OUT of Bounds; Provisional Ball(Rule 27)If, after playing a shot, you think your ball may be lost outside a water hazard or out of bounds you should play a “ provisional ball”.You must state that it is a provisional ball and play it before you go forward to search for your original ball.If it transpires that the original ball is lost (other than in a water hazard) or out of bounds you must continue with the provisional ball, under penalty of 1 stroke.If the original ball is found in bounds, you must continue play of the hole with it, and must stop play with the provisional ball.

  22. Ball Unplayable (Rule 28)If your ball is in a water hazard, the unplayable ball Rule does not apply and you must proceed under the water hazard Rule, if taking relief.Elsewhere on the course, if you believe your ball is unplayable, you may under penalty if 1 stroke;● play a ball from where your last shot was played, or● drop a ball any distance behind the point where the ball lay keeping a straight line between the hole, the point where the ball lay and the spot on which the ball is dropped, or

  23. Ball Unplayable (Rule 28)● drop the ball within 2 club-lengths of where the ball lies, not nearer the hole.If your ball is in a bunker you may proceed as last, except that if you are dropping back on line or within 2 club-lengths, you must drop in the bunker. John Harvey 9th March 2008

  24. Rule Clarifications General Local Rules 2008/09

  25. Staked & boxed trees or those under 1 club length in height – if such a tree interferes with your stance or swing (normal) relief may be taken – relief is dropping the ball within one club length of the closest point of relief.Plugged ball – a ball which has embedded in its own pitch mark (through the green) may be lifted cleaned and dropped without penalty.Barked area’s – barked tree plantations on the 1st, 4th & 8th holes are in play, relief may be taken only if you stance or swing is interfered by a staked. Boxed or tree less than 1 club length in height.

  26. GUR – relief may be taken from an area marked GUR as follows, a ball must be dropped without penalty within 2 club lengths of the point of entry no closer to the hole, a ball cannot be declared lost within an area of GUR, if all parties agree the ball entered an area of GUR a decision is made on the likely point of entry and dropped as above.Paths and Roads – a ball coming to rest on a path or road may be lifted cleaned and dropped within 1 club length of the closest point of relief no closer to the hole.

  27. Obstructions & Immovable obstructions – An obstruction is anything artificial, such an item may be moved if its removal does not unduly delay play, the following items are deemed to be immovable obstructions tee markers, benches, fairway distance markers, cart path edgings, toilet to the left of the 8th green and flower beds; a free drop with one club length of the closest point of relief may be taken. Other obstructions such as gates, fencing are items bounding the course are considered integral parts of the course. Relief may be taken from those items under penalty of one shot.

  28. Lateral water hazard – marked with a red stake or line, relief may be taken under penalty of one shot, a ball may be replayed or dropped under penalty of one shot within 2 club lengths of the point of entry to the hazard. Water Hazard – marked with a yellow stake or line, a ball entering a water hazard may replayed under penalty of 1 shot or dropped again under penalty of one shot, the ball must be dropped keeping the water hazard between the point of drop and the flag. (Remember you or your playing partners must see the ball enter the hazard, if you don’t find the ball or see it enter the hazard, you must treat it as a lost ball)

  29. Bunkers – stones may be removed with out penalty, a bunker is a hazard, a ball coming to rest on the black lining within the bunker must be played as it lies or dropped under penalty of one shot in the bunker within 2 club lengths or as far back as the player wishes keeping that point between you and the flag.Out of Bounds – the boundary of the course, the hedge to the right of the 8th fairway, to the left of the 10th fairway, to the right of the 13th fairway as defined by the hedge, when playing the 14th & 15th holes as defined by white posts and burned line, on or over the road to the rear of the 18th fairway.

  30. 1st HoleDrain beyond the road and to left of the fairway is a water hazard, the tree plantations to the left and right of the fairway are in play, and relief may only be taken under the staked tree rule. The drain beyond the green and marked with a red stake is a lateral water hazard.2nd HoleThe drain past and to the right of the path is marked with a red stake and is a lateral water hazard. The plantation beyond the second green to right and left is marked GUR

  31. 3rd HoleThe 3 lakes whilst playing the 3 hole are marked with a red stake or line and are lateral water hazards. 4th HoleThe small raised areas to the side of the fairway are now in play, out of bounds is defined by the fence and white stakes to the left of the fairway and rear of the green.5th Hole No issues

  32. 6th HoleLakes are lateral and water hazards as marked.7th HoleThe flower bed to the rear of the green is out of bounds as marked. The gate and concrete posts leading to the 8th tee are obstructions and therefore integral parts of the course.8th HoleA ball crossing the hedge to the right of the 8th fairway adjoining the 13th hole is deemed to be out of bounds.

  33. 9th HoleThe plantation to the left of the 9th fairway and level with the 100 yard marker is in play. The rough ground to the right of the 9th green is also in play.10th HoleThe wall to the left of the 10th fairway is an obstruction and deemed an integral part of the course. The area beyond the wall and to the left of the fairway marked with white posts and burned line is out of bounds. The wall to the right of the fairway is an integral part of the course, the water to the left of the green and drain to the rear of the green as marked with red stakes should be considered is lateral water hazards.

  34. 11th HoleNo issues. 12th HoleThe wood and surrounding rough area to the right of the 12th fairway is an integral part of the course.13th HoleA ball coming to rest over the hedge to the right of the 13th hole is deemed to be out of bounds.

  35. 14th HoleThe area to the left and right of the fairway as defined by white posts and burned lines is out of bounds.15th HoleThe area to the left of the 15th fairway as marked with white posts and burned line is out of bounds. 16th HoleThe drain to the left of the 16th green is a lateral water hazard.

  36. 17th HoleThe lake to the right of the fairway is a water hazard, the lake bordering the 6th hole when playing the 17th hole is a lateral water hazard. The drain to the left of the 17th hole is a lateral water hazard, unless your ball comes to rest beyond the out of bounds as marked by white stakes. The area to the right of the 17th green as marked is deemed to be GUR.18th HoleA ball coming to rest over the hedge on the left of the fairway or within the green keeper’s compound is deemed to be out of bounds. The plantation and raised mound to the left of the 18th fairway at the 150 yard marker is deemed to be an area in play.

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