Local Rules

EFFECTIVE 2026

To be read in conjunction with Rules of Golf (R&A) and Temporary Local Rules.

  1. ABNORMAL COURSE CONDITIONS (Rule 16.1) defined as:
  • – 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.
  • – Mounds of tan bark that have not been spread in the garden or under shrubs.
  • – Fixed sprinkler heads close to 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 not nearer to the hole.
  • – Staked tree or shrub interfering with stance or area of intended swing, player MUST take relief.
  • – Exposed tree roots in the fairway or in the rough interfering with the lie of the ball or intended swing (General Area). Free relief may be taken under Rule 16.1b. This relief is not available if the tree roots only interfere with your stance.

No Penalty – Lift and Drop for all Abnormal Course Conditions.

2. NO PLAY ZONES – RED PENALTY AREAS (Rule 17.1)

The Red Penalty Areas are No Play Zones. The Red Penalty Areas are the two water gardens on the 10th hole, the dams on the 11th & 17th holes and the dams bordering the 2nd & 10th holes.

Balls cannot be played from these areas, NOR CAN THEY BE RETRIEVED.

Penalty – For a 1 Stroke penalty the options are (refer Rule 17.1d):

                                -Stroke and distance relief

                                -Back along the line relief

                                -Lateral relief (2 club lengths from boundary)

3. OUT OF BOUNDS & LOST BALL (Rule 18.2) defined as:

  • – Beyond all boundaries clearly defined by fences.
  • – White/black stakes along the left side of the 13th fairway.
  • – White stakes/signage defining the practice/coaching fairway.
  • – Concrete path beyond 18th green and Pro Shop area.
  • – Bitumen path on left side of 9th fairway.

Penalty – For 1 Stroke (refer Rule 18.1) Stroke and Distance relief

 Or for a 2 Stroke penalty the Model Local Rule E5 may be used (drop ball within 2 club lengths of edge of fairway).

UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED -GENERAL PENALTY FOR BREACH OF LOCAL RULE:

                                -STROKE PLAY is 2 STROKES

                                -MATCH PLAY is LOSS OF HOLE