Local Rules for Club Competitions

Club Local Rules

To be read in conjunction with the Rules of Golf and ‘Applying Local Rules’ (on the GGC phone app).

Effective from 10 May 2024

1. COURSE BOUNDARY
The boundary of the course is defined by the continuous line comprising boundary fencing, house fencing and black-topped white stakes.

2. COLOURED STAKES AND LINES
• Red indicates a penalty area
• Black indicates a no play zone
• White indicates ground under repair
• Blue indicates a dropping zone
• Black-topped white is a boundary object

3. DROPPING ZONE
A dropping zone is indicated by a blue stake, which creates a relief area of two club-lengths

If a blue stake is associated with an immovable obstruction, ground under repair or no play zone, on the hole being played, then free relief must be taken at that point.

If there is more than one blue stake associated with such a condition relief must be taken at the stake nearest to the point where the ball came to rest, or if the ball is lost and virtually certain to be in the condition, at the stake nearest to the point where the ball last crossed the edge of the condition, even if such stake is closer to the hole.

If a blue stake is associated with a penalty area, then penalty relief must be taken at that point.

4. RELIEF FROM A WRONG GREEN
A wrong green includes the general area one club-length from the edge of the green.

If stance interference exists for a ball in a bunker or in a penalty area, both the nearest point of complete relief and the relief area must be within that area.

If no such area is available, unplayable ball relief must be taken.

5. GARDEN BEDS
All garden beds outside of a no play zone are in play.

6. YOUNG TREES, SHRUBS AND GRASSES
If a tree, shrub or grass tuft that is staked or guarded interferes with the lie of the ball, intended stance or the area of intended swing, no play zone relief must be taken.

7. EMBEDDED BALL
Free relief may be taken for a ball embedded in its own pitch-mark only in the general area cut to fairway height.

8. REVETTED BUNKER FACES

If a player’s ball is embedded in a natural sod-stacked face above a bunker, free relief must be taken.

The reference point for free relief is the nearest point in the general area to the place where the ball was embedded where a ball is likely to remain at rest. A ball must then be placed, without penalty, within one club-length of and not nearer to the hole than this point.

Bunker faces constructed of artificial material are integral to the course and free relief for an embedded ball or interference to the lie of the ball, stance or intended area of swing cannot be taken.

9. IMMOVABLE OBSTRUCTION ON OR CLOSE TO PUTTING GREEN
If an immovable obstruction on or within two club-lengths of the edge of the putting green interferes with the intended line of play for a ball which lies in the general area within two club-lengths of the obstruction, abnormal course condition relief may be taken to avoid the interference.

10.TREE ROOTS
Tree roots on, or within two club-lengths of, part of the general area of the course cut at fairway height may be treated as an abnormal course condition if there is interference to the lie of the ball or the area of intended swing, but not for intended stance.

11. IMMOVABLE OBSTRUCTIONS
• All items of watering equipment;
• Signs relating to dangerous situations (eg: snakes present) or player safety (eg: bunker ahead);
• Drainage grates;
• Internal fences;
• Western carpark;
• All red, black, white and blue stakes; and
• Paved surfaces, quarry sand paths (including timber borders), areas of plastic matting installed for the purpose of turf preservation.

12. PAINTED LINES OR DOTS
Painted lines or dots in a part of the general area cut to fairway height, or on a putting green, may be treated as ground under repair if there is interference to the lie of the ball or the area of intended swing, but not for intended stance.

13. SEAMS OF CUT TURF
Seams of cut turf in a part of the general area cut to fairway height, or on a putting green, may be treated as ground under repair if there is interference to the lie of the ball or the area of intended swing, but not for intended stance.
If relief is taken it must be complete relief from interference by the seam which caused the initial interference, and all other seams in the same area.
If the ball is on the putting green, relief also includes interference from the intended line of play, and the nearest point of complete relief may be in the general area.

14. IRRIGATION SPRAY ZONE
Except when a player’s ball is in an unplayable lie or in a penalty area, if there is interference to the lie of the ball, intended stance or area of intended swing by spray from an item of irrigation, abnormal course condition relief from the spray zone may be taken in the same area of the course in which the ball was at rest.

PENALTY FOR BREACH OF LOCAL RULES
The penalty for a breach of a Local Rule is the General Penalty (Stroke Play – two strokes, Match Play – loss of hole).

[2024 Club LRs: 10/05/24]