WHETSTONE GOLF CLUB

LOCAL RULES (Revised Oct 2021)

1.                  OUT OF BOUNDS.

A ball is deemed to be out of bounds if it is

beyond the white marker posts to the left of the 1st fairway (the out of bounds line extending from the flagpole to the first white post to the left of the fairway).

(a)   on or beyond the railway embankment beyond the white posts on the 2^nd, 3^rd, 4^th, 5^th and 15^th holes.

(b)  beyond the white posts to the left of the 16^th fairway and behind the 17^th green when playing the 16^th and 17^th holes.

(c)  beyond the white posts to the right of the 8^th fairway, right of the 14^th and left of the 18^th fairway.

(d)  To the right of the penalty area on the right hand side of the 7^th fairway.

(e)   beyond the inside edge of any fence, hedge or wall surrounding the course.

2.                  PENALTY AREAS  

Penalty Areas may be marked with yellow or red stakes (this affects the players relief options)- All players must conform with Rule 17. 

All bridges are deemed to be outside of Penalty Areas and the perimeter of a Penalty Area does not extend directly underneath the bridge.

Exception – when the ball last crossed the edge of the red Penalty Area on the right of the 7^th fairway, 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 withthese limits:

Limits on Location of Relief Area:

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

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

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.

3.                  ABNORMAL GROUND CONDITIONS

Ground Under Repair,staked trees and the planted area on the immediate right of the 1^st tee are No Play Zones, that is to be treated as an abnormal course condition. Free relief must be taken from interference by the no play zone under Rule 16.1f.

Repaired holes or temporary hole plugs or disused holes on the putting green are designated as “Abnormal Ground Conditions”.  Relief may be taken under rule 16.1a/d.

General Penalty applies for Breach: Match Play – loss of hole, Stroke Play two strokes

4.                  STONES IN BUNKERS

Stones in bunkers are moveable obstructions and may be moved without penalty (Rule 15.2a ).

5.                  IMMOVABLE OBSTRUCTIONS

All red, yellow or white stakes on the course are treated as immovable obstructions from which free relief is allowed under Rule 16.1. Relief is not allowed to be taken under Rule 15.2.

Penalty for Breach of Local Rule: General Penalty."

6          EMBEDDED BALL

Rule 16.3 is modified in this way:

Free relief is allowed only when a ball is embedded in part of the General Area that is cut to fairway height or less.

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

          7          WINTER RULES (Rule only applies when “Winter Rules” are in operation).

              PREFERRED LIES

When a player's ball lies in a 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.

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

AERIATION 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.

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

            8.       DISTANCE MEASURING DEVICES

A player may obtain distance information by using a device that measures distance only and comply with Rule 4.3

  9.        TRANSPORTATION

During a round, a player or caddie must not ride on any form of motorized transportation except as authorized or later approved by the Committee.

Penalty for Breach of Local Rule: The player gets the general penalty for each hole during which there is a breach of this Local Rule. If the breach occurs between the play of two holes, it applies to the next

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