Cracks in the Ground – Relief May be taken

Until further notice, cracks in the ground in parts of the General Area cut to fairway height or less are Ground Under Repair (GUR). The player may take relief under Rule 16.1b

New Drains Works – Relief Must be taken

Until further notice, all new drains on holes 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 9 and 16 are to be treated as an Abnormal Course Condition. The player MUST take relief under Rule 16.1a.

OPM Trees

Trees infected with OPM (Oak Processionary Moth Caterpillars) have been marked with a yellow circle. Any ball coming to rest within 2 club lengths of an infected tree is deemed to be in GUR (Ground Under Repair). In accordance with Rule 16-1a, a player MAY take relief without penalty from any such tree.

Aeration Holes

If a player’s ball lies in or touches an aeration hole:
(a) Ball in General Area. The player may take relief under Rule 16.1b. If the ball comes to rest in another aeration hole the player may take relief again under this Local Rule.
(b) Ball on Putting Green. The player may take relief under Rule 16.1d. But interference does not exist if the aeration hole only interferes with the player’s stance or, on the putting green, on the player’s line of play.

BREACH OF LOCAL RULE: General Penalty

1. Out of Bounds (Rule 18-1)

Beyond any fence, railing, wall or hedge bounding the course. Beyond any other area defined as out of bounds by white posts or white lines. Where both white posts and white lines are used, the lines take precedence. In or beyond the ditch (indicated by white posts) to the left of the 18th hole.

2. Penalty Areas (Rule 17-1)

Where painted lines are used, the lines define the margin of the penalty area, otherwise the stakes define the margin. Where the penalty area is unmarked or where the margin is not clear because of missing stakes, or stakes are not visible, the definition is the natural margin of the penalty area. The natural margin is where the ‘ground breaks’ into the penalty area.

3. Protection of Young Trees (Rule 16-1)

The young trees identified by being supported or protected by a stake, frame, tube or rabbit cage or the like are no play zones. If a player’s ball lies anywhere on the course other than in a penalty 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 take relief under Rule 16.1f.

4. Abnormal Course Conditions (Rule 16-1)

Ground Under Repair (GUR)
Defined by any area encircled by a white line, by a blue line or by a sign to that effect. In accordance with Rule 16-1a, a player MAY take relief without penalty from any area identified as GUR by being contained within a WHITE line. Relief MUST be taken from any area identified as GUR by being contained within a BLUE line or by a sign to that effect.

Roads and Paths
All artificially-surfaced roads and paths on the course are treated as immovable obstructions from which free relief is allowed under Rule 16.1. All other paths or walkways are integral to the course and no relief is available, except from their wooden edges where visible.

Immovable obstructions close to putting green
In addition to the types of interference described in Rule 16.1a, when a ball lies in the general area, interference also exists if an immovable obstruction is: on the player’s line of play, is within two club-lengths of the putting green and is within two club-lengths of the ball. The player MAY take relief under Rule 16.1b. (Exception – There is no relief under this Local Rule if the player chooses a line of play that is clearly unreasonable.)

BREACH OF LOCAL RULE: General Penalty

Players must protect themselves in Health and Safety matters especially in the event there is a danger from lightning when play must stop immediately.

SUSPENSION OF PLAY

Rule 5.7 of the Rules of Golf makes it quite clear that a player is entitled to discontinue play if the player believes that there is a danger from lightning.

All players must adhere to the following Suspension of Play procedure.

A suspension of play for a dangerous situation (e.g. lightning) will be signalled by a prolonged single blast on the klaxon operated by a member of the committee or an authorised member of staff. However, even if the klaxon is not sounded and the players believe that there is real risk of, or danger from, lightning then the player is entitled to proceed under the provision of Rule 5.7 and discontinue play.

During casual play, players have to proceed under Rule 5.7. This makes it the player’s own responsibility to discontinue play when, in his/her opinion, a danger from lightning exists. It is unreasonable to expect the Club to monitor the course 24/7.

If the klaxon has been sounded, then a player is not entitled to override that decision and continue play. When the klaxon has been sounded for play to be suspended, players must discontinue play immediately, without attempting to finish the hole they are on.

Every effort will be made to ensure the warning is sounded with sufficient time to allow for all competitors, caddies and spectators to evacuate the course prior to an electric storm striking the course.

Upon the signal being given, all players, caddies and spectators must comply with these conditions.

RESUMPTION OF PLAY

TWO SHORT BLASTS on the klaxon will notify players when it is safe to resume play. No player shall resume play until the klaxon has sounded.