RUDDING PARK GOLF CLUB LOCAL RULES

1. 1. Out of Bounds (Rule 18.2)

   Out of Bounds (OoB) is defined by the course boundaries – these are walls, fences (including gates) or hedges, white marker stakes and/or lines. Where both fences and hedges are located together, the object based nearest to the course-side is the relevant boundary. Where marked by a fence or white stakes, the boundary edge is defined by the line between the course-side points of the fence posts or white stakes.

   A ball is OoB when it lies (i) beyond any boundary wall, fence or hedge, (ii) on the car park, the clubhouse, its terraces and surrounding areas, (iii) on the practice area adjacent to the clubhouse, (iv) on or beyond the path to the 1^st tee, (v) within the walls of the cemetery on the left side of hole 15.  

   Note: White marker stakes and/or lines defining OoB are located on holes 6, 7, 11, 13, 15* and 18.

   * On hole 15 – white marker stakes have been placed in front of the cemetery wall as an indicator only. A ball is OoB only when it is beyond the walls (within the cemetery).

    

   2. Penalty Areas (Rule 17)
      a) Penalty areas are defined by red stakes or lines.
   3. b) Hole 14 – When playing this hole the red penalty area along the right-hand side extends to infinity.
   4. c) Dropping zone (DZ) on hole 14 - If it is known, or virtually certain, that a ball has come to rest in the penalty area on the right of hole 14, having last crossed the edge of the penalty area beyond the black/white marker post, the player may, for one penalty stroke: either take relief under Rule 17.1 or, as an extra option, drop a ball in the designated dropping zone. (The dropping zone is defined either by an area enclosed by a white line and marked DZ or, if there is no line, as being within one club-length of the DZ sign). The dropping zone is a relief area under Rule 14.3

    

   3. The following are Integral Objects - no free relief (Rule 2.3)

   The stone structure on the 2nd fairway, the wall enclosing the cemetery on the left side of hole 15, and all internal park walls (e.g. between holes 7 & 9, and 8, 13 & 16.

    

   4. Abnormal Course Conditions (Rule 16.1)

   Free relief may be taken under Rule 16.1 when there is interference from an abnormal course condition as follows:

   1. a) Immovable obstructions:

   (1) All bridges, paths, internal roads and buggy tracks. (Note – However, sections of bridges across water courses or ditches which lie within penalty area stakes or lines on holes 2, 3, 5, 13 and 16 are part of the penalty area. Free relief is not permitted when the ball lies in a penalty area (Rule 16.1a)).

   (2) The fixed supports and any fixed cross members of the wooden barriers on holes 5 and 14. 

   (3) All sprinkler heads, drains and irrigation or control boxes.

   (4) Temporary barriers – such as white hoops or ropes (and their supporting stakes) are treated as immovable obstructions from which free relief is allowed under Rule 16.1. (Relief is not allowed under Rule 15.2a(1) - i.e. the hoop, rope or stake cannot be removed). If a player’s ball hits a hoop, rope or supporting stake, the stroke does not count. The player must play a ball without penalty from where the previous stroke was made (See Rule 14.6).

   .b) Ground under Repair – defined by:

   (i) Area ­fully enclosed by rope and/or marked GUR, or

   (ii)Marked GUR with white lines

   16. c) For a ball in the general area cut to fairway height or less, a player may take relief under Rule 16.1b if an immovable obstruction is on the line of play and is:

    (i) within two club-lengths of the putting green, and

    (ii) within two club-lengths of the ball.

   There is no relief under this local rule if the player chooses a line of play that is clearly unreasonable

   16. d)Any area of disturbed ground due to ongoing tree, drainage or course maintenance works is Ground under Repair, even if not marked. Relief may be taken under Rule 16.1.
   17. e) Wheel and Track Ruts: In the general area of the course, deep ruts made by vehicles or equipment are Ground under Repair. If the ball lies in or touches the rut, or the rut interferes with the area of intended swing, relief may be taken under Rule 16.1. Interference does not exist if the rut only interferes with the player’s stance.

    

   5. No Play Zones (Rule 2.4)

   No Play Zones are treated as an Abnormal Course Condition and relief must be taken from interference by an NPZ under Rule 16.1f:

   1. a) Young Trees - identified by stakes, guys, and/or protective sleeves
   2. b) Areas of daffodils, whether in flower or not
   3. c) Areas marked NPZ with white lines (where appropriate).

    

   6) Aeration holes

   If a player’s ball lies in or touches an aeration hole on the putting green, the player may take relief under rule 16-1d. (Interference does not exist if the aeration hole only interferes with the player’s stance or is on the line of play.)

    

   Penalty for Breach of Any Local Rule – General Penalty:
   Match Play – Loss of Hole; Stroke Play – Two Strokes

Last updated: June 2025