Members,

A timely reminder of last year’s changes to the YGC Local Rules as determined by the Match Committee. Some were removed as they already exist within the rules of golf, and some were modified, or clarified, to ease understanding. These changes should remove much of the doubt that has plagued the interpretation of our local rules in recent times.

Please take the time to familiarise yourself with these local rules, as well as the top 20 player’s rules.

We have adopted the philosophy reinforcing the fundamental rule of golf – “Play the ball as you find it“

Some of particular note have been highlighted. 

Please be aware that these rules came into effect in September 2023

YGC Local Rules are to be read in conjunction with the Rules of Golf.

1. DRAINS, ROADS & PATHS Artificially surfaced and constructed drains, roads and paths and drain grates are classified as abnormal course conditions. [Compacted soil or worn tracks/paths are to be played as it lies] Rule 16.1.

 

2. IMMOVABLE OBSTRUCTIONS All internal fencing (including any defined boundary of the mini golf course), shelter sheds, drinking taps, penalty area and drop zone markers, fixed advertising hoardings, 150m posts, sprinklers, rubbish bins and fixed sand bins are immovable obstructions. Rule 16.1.

           **Removing red/yellow or drop zone stakes – General penalty

 

3. GROUND UNDER REPAIR (G.U.R.). Except in a penalty area, wheel ruts made by a mower, tractor or any other motor vehicle may be treated as G.U.R. Areas defined as No Play Zones (NPZ signs) nearest complete relief outside of the area MUST be taken, no nearer the hole. Rule 16.1.

 

4. TREES /SHRUBS If any tree or shrub under two club lengths in height interferes with a player’s stance or area of intended swing, relief MUST be taken. [Does not include tree stumps] Rule 16.1a.

 

5. OUT OF BOUNDS (O.O.B.) are those parts of the course clearly defined by boundary fences or markers, including the internal maintenance compound. Rule 18.2a.

 

6. EMBEDDED STONES – No relief is available except under another rule [e.g., unplayable ball relief with one stroke penalty] “Loose impediments” may be lifted and/or removed, stones can be flicked away with a tee but soil/sand/leaves cannot be”brushed” away. See Rule 15.1.a

 

7. KANGAROO PAW PRINTS IN BUNKERS Relief MAY be taken if a player’s ball comes to rest in a kangaroo paw print in a bunker. Ball must be dropped in the bunker. Rule 16.1.

 

8. ANIMAL DAMAGE ON THE GREEN Nearest lie or line relief MAY be taken from kangaroo paw prints or corella damage on the green. Rule 16.1.

 

9. NO PLAY ZONES The (chip barked) garden bed above the 2nd green is a No Play Zone. [Relief in designated drop zone without penalty] Rule 16.1.

 

10. IMMOVABLE OBSTRUCTIONS – CLOSE TO A PUTTING GREEN (eg: sprinkler heads): Relief may be taken if the obstruction is on the player’s line of play and is within two club lengths of the putting green, and the ball is within two club-lengths of the obstruction. Rule 16.1a.

 

11. MOTORISED GOLF CARTS (RIDE ON) All carts are to remain on paths where available. No motorised carts or ride-ons are permitted to drive:

• on, over or between tee boxes; or within 10 metres of any green
• to the left of the bunker on the 8th green
• between or past the penalty areas to the right of the 16th green
• green-side of the cart path next to the 16th green

 

12. MINI GOLF COURSE If a ball is within the boundary of the mini golf course, including when it is known or virtually certain that a ball that has not been found came to rest in the mini golf course, the player must:

• drop the original ball or another ball in the closest marked drop zone, adding one penalty stroke. The ball must be dropped, and remain wholly within the drop zone
• the player may not take relief under Rules 17.1d (1) or (2) or (3) or 17.2

TEMPORARY/SEASONAL Local Rule  

CORELLA DAMAGE IN THE GENERAL AREA – Local Rule effective from 1 December until rescinded.
Relief may be taken, without penalty, if a player’s ball comes to rest in damage clearly caused by corellas in the general area. Interference does not exist if the corella damage only interferes with the player’s stance.
The Relief Area allowed is one (1) handspan from your marked ball, no closer to the hole – Rules 14.2b and 14.2e. Penalty for playing ball from a wrong place: General Penalty

Penalty for breach of local rule: 

Stroke – General penalty (2 strokes) 

Match play – Loss of hole

 

 

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