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 2023

Flagsticks, Bunkers, Scoring & Use of Mobile Devices

  1. FLAGSTICKS
    The removal of the flagstick from the hole is permitted.
  2. BUNKERS
    Players may take a preferred lie by placing their ball within 1 club length within the bunker, no closer to the pin. Please rake your footprints on leaving the bunker.
  3. SCORING
    Use of the MiScore App is encouraged for scoring. If not using the MiScore App you can maintain your own scorecard. Verbal confirmation between player and marker is all that is required at the completion of the hole and completion of play.
  4. USE OF MOBILE DEVICES
    A multi-functional device may be used for scoring, provided it is not to access information that, if used, would cause the player to be in breach of Rule 4.3a.

Other Local Rules

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

  1. 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.
  2. 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
  3. 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.
  4. MAXIMUM HOLE SCORE (Rule 21.2)
    • In Stoke Play (Excluding Championships) a player’s score is capped at a maximum of 10 per hole. A player who does not complete a hole MUST pick up her ball when reaching 10 strokes. Any player utilising the Maximum Score is still eligible to win that day’s grade competition but will not be eligible for the Monthly Medal, any Putting Prize or The president’s Trophy.

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

STROKE PLAY – 2 STROKES

MATCH PLAY – LOSS OF HOLE

Further Information on more recent Local Rules included above

In addition to the Local Rules above the Match Committee has adopted 3 new local rules.  The first two relating to tree roots and No Play Zones are to keep players safe on the course, whilst the third, relating to Lost and Out of Bounds Balls, will help to speed up the game.

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.