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HGC Local Rules 2024

 

HGC LOCAL RULES

(To be read in conjunction with The Rules of Golf and any Temporary Local Rules posted on the Notice Board outside the Pro Shop)

Out of Bounds (Rule 18.2)

• All ground beyond the boundary fences of the course and any areas beyond black topped white posts.
• The Pro shop and concrete areas surrounding the Pro-shop precinct, including practice nets.

Penalty Areas (Rule 17)

Designated by red posts –

• On the 12th hole, balls in the red penalty area on the left side of the fairway, may take relief under Rule 17.1
• The red penalty area on the 13th hole includes the logs marking the top border of the red penalty area.
• The red penalty area on the 4th hole, extends along the hole to the access road.

Dropping Zones

If a ball is in the penalty area on the 11th hole or the 13th hole, including when it is known or virtually certain that a ball that has come to rest in the penalty area, the player has relief options under Rule 17.1, for one penalty stroke. The drop zones on the 11th & 13th are relief areas under Rule 14.3.

The drop zone for the 11th hole is located down the hill in front of the Teeing area.

Two drop zones are available on the 13th hole:

• If a ball enters the red penalty area directly from the tee box side, the drop zone is on the mat located on the left side of the dam. (behind the gold tees)
• When the ball enters the red penalty area from the green side, the drop zone is on the mat located on the top right side over the dam.

Preferred Lies

When a player’s ball lies in a part of the general area cut to fairway height or less, the player may, after marking the position of the ball, lift and clean the ball and place it within 30cms of the marked position, not nearer the hole, without penalty (Rule14.1). The marked position is known as the Reference Point.

Alternative to Stroke and Distance for Lost Ball or Ball Out of Bounds (Model Local Rule E-5)

When a provisional ball has not been played and a player’s ball has not been found after 3 minutes has elapsed 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:

1. 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.
2. 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.

Size of Relief Area Based on Reference Points: Anywhere between two club-lengths of the ball reference point, and two club-lengths of the fairway reference point and any area away from the hole using these reference points as width limits.

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.

Maximum Score in Stroke Events (Rule 21)

To assist in Pace of Play, the Committee has adopted the Maximum Score rule – where a player’s score is capped at 10 strokes per hole in Stroke events, including Medal and Championship events. Once a player has played up to the maximum score on a hole, they may pick up their ball and proceed to the next hole. If a player picks up their ball, they must record the maximum score for the hole.

Protection of Young Trees (16.1b)

The young trees identified by a stake, are designated no play zones:

If a player’s ball lies in the general 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 drop the ball within one club-length of the nearest point of complete relief, no nearer the hole.

Ball Deflected by Power Line (Rule 14.6)

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 either the 3rd or 4th holes, the stroke does not count. The player must play a ball without penalty from where the previous stroke was made.

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

• Ground under repair (GUR) is defined by any area encircled by a white line or marked by white stakes, or
  • Bare patches on the fairway,
  • Bare patches on the putting greens, where the ball lies on the bare patch or the bare patch interferes with the line of putt,
  • Earthworks associated with improvements to the course,
  • Except in a hazard, clearly defined wheel marks or ruts in the general area that interfere with your stance or the lie of the ball.
• Gardens, areas signed as gardens including edges and borders, are deemed compulsory GUR. (1st,9th & 11th)
• Immovable obstructions include all penalty area markers, distance markers, fixed sprinkler heads, safety fences, sand boxes, rubbish bins, tee markers, seats, bridges, machinery sheds, drainage pipes, sumps, brick, concrete walls, steps, cart paths and machinery roads.
  • Paths are defined as artificially surfaced or formed roads and paths (includes bitumen, concrete, pavers or gravel).

Exposed Tree Roots In The Fairway or Close Vicinity (Model Local Rule F-9.2)

If a player’s ball is in the general area and there is interference to the path of the club head from exposed tree roots that are in a part of the general area cut to fairway height or in the rough within two club-lengths of the edge of the fairway, the tree roots are treated as ground under repair. The player, in consultation with their marker, may take free relief of one club-length, under Rule 16.1b.  Interference does not exist if the tree roots only interfere with the player’s stance.

Integral Objects (No relief)

All areas covered in bark or wood chips unless specifically defined as a garden.

Relief from Safety Fence on Driving Range

If a ball comes to rest directly behind the safety fence protecting the Driving Range (17^th hole), then GUR style relief is available. Relief may be taken by dropping within two club-lengths on the forward left side of the safety fence.

Practising Before Rounds (Rule 5.2)

Players must not practise on the competition course before or between rounds.  Players may practice using the practice nets, practice fairway, practice chipping green and practice putting green.

Penalty for Breach of this Local Rule:

• Penalty for first breach: General Penalty (applied to the player’s first hole).
• Penalty for second breach: Disqualification.

Calling Up on Par 3s

Unless the action impedes the pace of play, players are required to call up the following group waiting on the tee when all players have reached the green on a par 3. Players must ensure they are behind the safety barriers when the group following is teeing off.

Distance Markers

• Red marker – 100 metres to centre of green
• Blue marker – 150 metres to centre of green

Penalty for Breach of Local Rule

If not previously specified,

• Match Play – Loss of Hole
• Stroke/Stableford Play – General Penalty