Local Rules

MOUNT OSMOND GOLF CLUB LOCAL RULES

To be read in conjunction with The Rules of Golf

OUT OF BOUNDS

Stroke and distance penalty, (refer Rule 18.2.) Optional local rule MLR E-5 has NOT been adopted at MOGC

All areas beyond and including boundary fence

All internal areas defined by white stakes with black tops. These stakes are treated as Boundary Objects (no free relief allowed)

ABNORMAL COURSE CONDITIONS

Ground Under Repair 

Defined by white lines or stakes. If a player’s ball lies in the area or it interferes with a player’s stance or intended swing, free relief MAY be taken under rule 16.1. 

Immovable Obstructions: (Relief without penalty may be taken under Rule 16.1)

All artificially surfaced man-made paths and roadways

Distance markers, seats, signs, and rubbish bins

All watering installations including fixed and portable sprinklers, tap covers, hoses, artificial drains, drainage grates

Red Stakes used to identify Penalty Areas, Blue Stakes used to identify drains.

NB: All other stakes, ropes and metal hoops used to control traffic are movable obstructions and MUST be reinstated to their original location if moved

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)

No Play Zones:

The young trees and grasses identified by stakes.

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.

Garden beds surrounding Halfway Hut:
If a player’s ball lies in, or interference exists from, the area marked by white stakes surrounding the garden beds and the Halfway Hut on the 10th hole, free relief must be taken within one club length of the drop stake situated between the 9th and 10th fairways under Rule 16.1f.

PRACTICE AREA BETWEEN CLUBHOUSE AND PRO SHOP

The outer limit of the practice area adjacent to the clubhouse and pro shop, consisting of the practice green and surrounding chipping area, is defined  by yellow caps.

During play, the practice chipping area is designated as General Area and the yellow caps defined as immovable obstructions. If interference to a player’s stance or swing exists from such caps, free  relief may be taken under Rule 16.1b.

The practice putting green itself is a Wrong Green. If this area interferes with the player’s stance or swing, free relief MUST be taken under Rule 13.1f.

Penalty for playing ball from a Wrong Place in breach of Rule 13.1f:

General Penalty under Rule 14.7a.

RED PENALTY AREAS

Relief may be taken under Rule 17.1d from areas marked by red stakes including defined areas along the boundary of the 1st, 3rd, 6th, 14th holes and 12th tee

SUSPENSION OF PLAY

An immediate suspension of play for a dangerous situation such as fire, lightning or other emergency will be signalled by one blast of the siren. Resumption of play will be signaled by two blasts of the siren. See Rule 5.7b

AREAS DAMAGED BY BIRDS

In the general area, areas of damage caused by birds either scratching or pecking at the grass are treated as ground under repair from which relief is allowed under Rule 16.1b.

But interference does not exist if the damage only interferes with the players stance.

Unless otherwise noted, the penalty for a breach of a Local Rule is the general penalty

(stroke play – two strokes, match play – loss of hole)

Note: Distance markers are to the centre of the green