New Local Rules

Posted on: 1 January

The Rules of Golf have been updated and take effect from 1 January 2019. Please have a look at the Golf Australia website https://www.golf.org.au/newrules for more information about the main changes.

As a consequence of the changes our Local Rules also needed updating. 

The introduction of No Play Zones in the new Rules enables us to classify the construction sites as such. Relief can be taken from a No Play Zone without penalty. No doubt this will please those who have been penalised when their ball has found itself in these areas. 

Local Rules

  1. Out of bounds: (Rule 18 applies)
  • All ground beyond the club fencing
  1. No Play Zones: (Rule 16.1f applies)
  • Staked trees and shrubs under 1 metre in height
  • Xanthorrhea Australis (Grass Trees)
  • All areas within the OCCM and the Lonsdale Shores construction sites.
  • Ground under Repair. Areas defined by white stakes, white lines and/or GUR signage.
  1. Immovable Obstructions: (Rule 16.1 applies):
  • All stakes and ropes defining GUR areas, penalty areas and No Play Zones.
  • All artificially surfaced roads and paths including raised concrete edging.
  • All fences which prevent entry to the Lonsdale Shores construction site.
  • The Telstra tower and associated structures.
  1. Sprinkler Heads near to Greens

The player may take relief under Rule 16.1 if a sprinkler head or tap cover is on the line of play, and is:

  • Within two club-lengths of the putting green, and
  • Within two club-lengthsof the ball.

 

  1. 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 Pro-shop for full details of the Local Rule.

 

  1. Telstra Tower

If it is known or virtually certain that a player’s ball hit the tower the stroke does not count. The player must play a ball without penalty from where the previous stroke was made (see Rule 14.6).

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

Long form of local rule

When a player’s ball has not been found or is known or virtually certain to be out of bounds, the player may proceed as follows rather than proceeding under stroke and distance.

For two penalty strokes, the player may take relief by dropping the original ball or another ball in this relief area (see Rule 14.3):

Two Estimated Reference Points:

(a). Ball Reference Point: The point where the original ball is estimated to have:

  • Come to rest on the course, or
  • Last crossed the edge of the course boundary to go out of bounds.

(b). Fairway Reference Point: The point of fairway of the hole being played that is nearest to the ball reference point, but is not nearer the hole than the ball reference point.

For purposes of this Local Rule, “fairway” means any area of grass in the general area that is cut to fairway height or less.

If a ball is estimated to be lost on the course or last crossed the edge of the course boundary short of the fairway, the fairway reference point may be a grass path or a teeing ground for the hole being played cut to fairway height or less.

Size of Relief Area Based on Reference Points: Anywhere between:

  • A line from the hole through the ball reference point (and within two club-lengths to the outside of that line), and
  • A line from the hole through the fairway reference point (and within two club-lengths to the fairway side of that line).

But with these limits:

Limits on Location of Relief Area:

  • Must be in the general area, and
  • Must not be nearer the hole than the ball reference point.

Once the player puts a ball in play under this Local Rule:

  • The original ball that was lost or out of bounds is no longer in play and must not be played.
  • This is true even if the ball is found on the course before the end of the three-minute search time (see Rule 6.3b).

But the player may not use this option to take relief for the original ball when:

  • That ball is known or virtually certain to have come to rest in a penalty area, or
  • The player has played another ball provisionally under penalty of stroke and distance (see Rule 18.3).

A player may use this option to take relief for a provisional ball that has not been found or is known or virtually certain to be out of bounds.

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