Competition Formats and Local Rules

Club Championships

Three (3) 18 hole gross ⁄ nett stroke rounds held over consecutive weeks.  To be eligible for the Club Championships, a member MUST be a financial member for the three preceding months of the Championships and MUST have returned at least one completed 18 hole card for three out of the four months leading up to the Championships or have a leave of absence.  This card will be a completed 18 hole Stroke, Stableford, Par or Margaret King event in Club competition.  Registrations must be completed between the dates listed in the Club syllabus.

Medallist of the Year

All winners of Monthly Medals during the season will play off for the Medallist of the Year Trophy on the date listed in the Club syllabus.

Nepean Foursomes

Playing in fours, 2 competitors play as partners on 3 ⁄ 8 of their combined handicaps.  Both players drive from the tee, then each play their second shot.  The best ball is then selected and the player whose ball is discarded plays the next shot, after which players take alternate strokes until ball is holed out.  PENALTY for hitting out of turn – one stroke and distance.

The Margaret King Matchplay Event

The Margaret King Matchplay event will be played in accordance with the Draw.  The President’s vs Captain’s event will mark the beginning of the Margaret King event and first round matches may be played on this day.  Winners are to arrange further matches as required.  All matches must be completed within the dates specified on the draw – no extensions will be permitted.

Local Rules

These rules are effective from January 2025

Temporary Local Rule:  

There are temporary tee-markers on the 9th hole:

  • 18 Holers – Gold tombstone markers (in the ground)
  • 9 Holers – White tombstone markers (in the ground)
  • Signs will be placed by the 1st playing group at the original raised tee-off area next to the high safety fence on the 9th hole.  Last 9-holers/18 Holers, please pick up the tee-markers and the NTP marker. Please do NOT play at the markers down on the fairway.
  • Any player not using these temporary Tee-Markers will be penalised.

    Other Local Rules

    To be read in conjunction with the Rules of Golf & Temporary Local Rules.

    1. BUNKERS
      • For all bunkers (including 14th hole left bunker nearest the green) there is no free drop unless there are abnormal conditions eg. water. If it is impossible to get complete relief from water in the bunker, a free drop out of the bunker, no closer to the pin and back on the line may be taken.
      • You must rake your divots and footprints on leaving the bunker.
    2. OUT OF BOUNDS & LOST BALL (Rule 18.2)
      • Beyond all boundaries clearly defined by fences
      • White/black stakes along the left side of the 13th fairway
      • White stakes defining the practice/coaching fairway
      • Concrete path beyond 18th green and Pro Shop area
      • Bitumen path on left side of 9th fairway
        Penalty: Stroke & Distance or the Local Rule E 5 for Alternative Stroke & Distance (see below) for Lost Ball or Ball Out of Bounds may be used for a General Penalty of 2 Strokes.
    3. ABNORMAL COURSE CONDITIONS (Rule 16.1)
      • Wheel marks made by vehicles (except in bunkers & penalty areas)
      • Any area defined by white paint
      • Embedded stones and storm damage awaiting removal
      • Wooden or metal stakes, supports or constructions
      • Bitumen or gravel pathways, ball washers or taps
      • Metal hoops, concrete covers, signs or distance markers
      • Protective fences, gates, watering and maintenance equipment
      • Exposed tree roots interfering with a player’s ball or swing
      • Mounds of tan bark that have not been spread in the garden or under shrubs
      • Fixed sprinkler heads close to a putting green
        If a ball lies outside a bunker or penalty area within 2 club lengths of a sprinkler head which is within 2 club lengths of the putting green and interferes with the line between the ball and the hole, it may be lifted, cleaned and dropped without penalty at the nearest point of relief which is not nearer to the hole, in a bunker or penalty area or on the green
      • Trees and shrubs
        If a tree or shrub, less than 2 club lengths in height, interferes with the player’s stance or the area of intended swing, the player MUST take relief
        Lift and Drop – No Penalty – For all Abnormal Course Conditions
    4. RED PENALTY AREAS (Rule 17.1)
      • All dams and water gardens on the course are Red Penalty Areas and as such are No Play Zones
        Penalty – One Stroke.  See below Local Rule 17.1e.

    UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED THE GENERAL PENALTY FOR BREACH OF A LOCAL RULE:

    • STROKE PLAY – 2 STROKES
    • MATCH PLAY – LOSS OF HOLE

    Further Information

    LOCAL RULE F-9 – TREE ROOTS

    If a Player’s ball is in the General Area and there is interference (to her swing or the lie of the ball), from exposed tree roots that are in a part of the General Area cut to fairway height or less or in the rough, the tree roots are treated as Ground Under Repair. The player MAY take free relief under Rule 16.1b.  But interference does not exist if the tree roots only interfere with a Player’s stance. The Reference Point, for taking free relief, is the nearest point of complete relief, no nearer the hole, and the ball must be dropped within one club length of this Reference Point.  

    LOCAL RULE 17.1e – NO PLAY ZONES

    All Red Penalty Areas defined by red stakes are No Play Zones.

    This includes water gardens on the 10th hole, the dams on the 11th and 17th holes and where they border the 2nd and 10th holes. The No Play Zones are defined by red stakes. When a ball is within a No Play Zone, the ball must NOT be retrieved or played.  Penalty relief must be taken from any interference by the No Play Zone under Rule 17.1e.   For a penalty of one stroke the player may play a ball from where the previous stroke was taken, take back on the line relief or lateral relief.  

    LOCAL RULE E-5 – ALTERNATIVE TO STROKE AND DISTANCE FOR LOST BALL OR BALL OUT OF BOUNDS

    When a player’s ball has not been found or is known or is virtually certain to be out of bounds, the player may proceed under the Stroke and Distance Local Rule for a penalty of two strokes, rather than proceeding under stroke and distance.  This Local Rule is not available if a provisional ball has been played.