Temporary Local Rules

Updated July 2025

Cracks 

Cracks in the ground, in the general area, cut to fairway height of less, are ground under repair. The player may take relief under Rule 16.1b(But relief is not allowed if the crack only interfered with the player's stance.)

Drainage Cuts

If a player's ball is in the general area and there is interference by a drainage cut on the course, the player may take free relief by dropping the original ball or another ball in this area (see Rule 14.3):

Reference Point: The nearest point of complete relief in the general area. 

Size of Relief Area Measure from Reference Point: One club-length, but with these limits

• Limits on Location of Relief Area

• Must be in the General area

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

• There must be complete relief from all interference by the drainage cut. 

Tyre ruts due to construction work 

During the construction work being carried out or close to the course, there is likely to be damage caused by way of deep tyre ruts. These areas of damage, although not individually marked, are deemed to be Ground Under Repair (GUR) from which free relief is available under Rule 16.1. In addition, free relief is available under Rule 16.1 if a player’s area of intended stance is affected by a deep tyre rut.

A deep tyre rut is deemed to be any such rut which, due to its depth, means that when a ball lies within or beside it, the player’s club face is not able to strike all parts of the golf ball when making a stroke

Local drainage rule 

A healed Drainage Ditch/Channel in the General Area is any depression, gully or remnants of

drainage works which has fully grassed over.

If a players ball lies in the above and sits below the natural level of the immediate surrounding ground Free Relief is available under Rule 16.1 – Abnormal Course Condition –Ground Under Repair.

However, relief under this Rule does not apply if it is only the players stance that has interference.

“When any part of a player’s ball touches part of the general area cut to fairway height or less, the player may take free relief once by placing the original ball or another ball in and playing it from this relief area:

• Reference Point: Spot of the original ball.

• Size of Relief Area Measured from Reference Point:6 inches from the reference point, but with these limits:

• Limits on Location of Relief Area:

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

  • Must be in the general area.

In proceeding under this Local Rule, the player must choose a spot to place the ball and use the procedures for replacing a ball under Rules 14.2b(2) and 14.2e. But, for the purposes of applying Rule 14.2e, the player has only chosen the spot on which to place the ball once the ball has been set down, and the player has let the ball go with the intent for that ball to be in play.

After a ball has been placed and is in play under this Local Rule, if the player then proceeds under another Rule that provides relief, this Local Rule may be used again.

Penalty for Playing Ball from a Wrong Place in Breach of Local Rule: General Penalty Under Rule 14.7a.”