Local Rules

R&A Rules of Golf govern all play except where modified by a Local Rule

BWGC Local Rules override a course scorecard’s Local Rules.

1.    Out of Bounds (Rule 18)

·       Beyond any wall, hedge, fence, line of white stakes, or white lines defining the boundary of the course. A ball is out of bounds when all of it lies on or over such a line.

·       Alternative 2 stroke penalty for stroke and distance for lost ball or OB is NOT IN OPERATION.

2.    Yellow and Red Penalty Areas  (Rule 17)

·       Red Penalty Areas are defined by red stakes or lines.

·       Yellow Penalty Areas are defined by yellow stakes or lines.

·       Penalty Areas that are not marked with red/yellow stakes or lines are to be played as red penalty areas and the edge of the penalty area is deemed to be where the long rough or weeds starts.  These areas are deemed to be inside the Penalty Area.

·       Concrete and Wooden Liners are integral objects - these can be found around the edge of Penalty Areas and are inside the Penalty Area. No free relief.

·       Hole 2 at Vintage: The Yellow Penalty Area on the left hand side of the hole is defined as a Red Penalty Area.

3.    Relief on Opposite Side of Red Penalty Area

When a player's ball is in a penalty area, including when it is known or virtually certain to be in a penalty area even though not found, the player may take relief using one of the options under Rule 17.1d.

Or, when the ball last crossed the edge of the red penalty area, as an extra relief option adding one penalty stroke, the player may drop the original ball or another ball on the opposite side of the penalty area:

·      Reference Point: The estimated point on the opposite edge of the penalty area that is the same distance from the hole as the estimated point where the original ball last crossed the edge of the red penalty area.

·      Size of Relief Area Measured from Reference Point: Two club-lengths, but with these limits:

·      Limits on Location of Relief Area:

o   Must not be nearer the hole than the reference point, and

o   May be in any area of the course except the same penalty area, but

o   If more than one area of the course is located within two club-lengths of the reference point, the ball must come to rest in the relief area in the same area of the course that the ball first touches when dropped in the relief area

• • If the straight line from the edge where the ball last crossed into the penalty area to the other edge that is an equal distance from the hole crosses outside the penalty area, the player is not allowed to use that opposite point.

4.    Dropping Zones - NOT allowed.  Exception: Vintage G.C. Hole 13 See Below:

Vintage Hole 13:

The shrubs and trees on the right hand side of the hole between the tee box and the Red Penalty Area are deemed to be part of the Red Penalty Area. 

As an additional option players may use the Dropping Zone on the right hand side, just before the Red Penalty Area, for a penalty of one stroke. When the player is using the dropping zone, the ball must be dropped in the dropping zone and it must come to rest in the dropping zone.

5.    Abnormal Course Conditions (Rule 16): Including Animal Hole, GUR, Immovable Obstructions and Temporary Water

·       Any area encircled by a white line, or marked as ACC or GUR with signs, stakes and/or ropes.

·       Ruts made by a tractor are NOT GUR, unless so marked.

·       Penalty:  Disqualification to both player and marker.  Rule 1.3b

6.    Immovable Obstructions (Rule 16)

·       Staked trees, cart paths, sprinkler heads, kiosks (immovable artificial objects excluding integral objects)

7.    Red Ants

·       Are not a Dangerous Animal Condition (Rule 16.2)

·       No free relief.  The ball to be played as it lies or declared unplayable (Rule19)

8.    Flowerbeds, landscaped gardens and the like are Integral Objects of the course

·       The ball maybe played as it lies or declared unplayable (Rule 19)

·       No free relief

9.    Mobile Phones

·       Use of mobile phones is restricted to the drinks huts areas. Phones should be switched off or put on “silent” so as not to disturb other players.  Rule 1.2

Unless otherwise noted, the penalty for a breach of a Local Rule is the general penalty (stroke play – two strokes, match play – loss of hole).

10. BWGC Pace of Play Policy (Rule 5.6b)

·       Players are required to play at a prompt pace throughout the round (Rule 5.6b).  Players are required to keep up with the group ahead.  If your group cannot keep up with the group ahead you must allow the group behind you to play through.

General

Please make sure you are at your starting point and ready to play a minimum of 10 minutes before your tee time.

 Exchange your scorecard with your Marker.

 Mark the gross score for every hole for both the Player and the Marker.

 Medal Events:  Players must putt out on every hole.

 Stableford Events:  Players may ‘pick up’ it they cannot score any points.

 Scorecards must be signed by both the Player and the Marker

 Do not ask your caddy for rulings.

 If in doubt play the course as you find it, and the ball as it lies.