Non-Qualifying Course & Extension of Winter Local Rules effective tomorrow, Thursday 15th October

With effect from tomorrow Thursday 15th October and until further notice the course is deemed to be non-qualifying for handicap purposes. All competitions are non-qualifying and members are no longer able to submit Supplementary Scores for handicap purposes. In order to protect the par 3 tees we have moved onto artificial mats forward of the grass tees.

EXTENSION OF WINTER LOCAL RULES

Summary:

Inclement weather has resulted in extreme wetness around the course, particularly in bunkers and in the rough (grass not cut to fairway length).

Current Temporary Winter Rules provide some relief but in order to provide additional relief, an extension to Winter Rules is added with effect from tomorrow, Thursday 15th October. This will remain in place until further notice.

Bunkers – the preferred lies relief area, previously 6 inches, is extended to one club length within the bunker and not nearer the hole. You may smooth the relief area before placing the ball.

Preferred Lies – this is now available in ALL parts off the General Area. Therefore Preferred Lies is extended to include allowing relief in the rough, whether or not your ball is embedded. Lift, clean and place within 6 inches, not nearer the hole.

The full text of these Extended Winter Local Rules is set out below and a copy is on the Rules Noticeboard in the foyer.

Preferred Lies in Bunkers
You may place your ball within one club length of the original spot, not nearer the hole, but still within the bunker. The relief area may be smoothed before placing. Please then make your best effort to smooth the sand using a club and/or your feet.

Preferred Lies in the General Area (because of extreme wetness)
When a player’s ball lies in any part of the general area the player may take free relief once by placing the original ball or another ball in and playing it from this relief area.
• Reference point: spot of the original ball.
• Size of Relief Area measured from Reference Point: 6 inches but with these limits:
• Limits on Location of Relief Area:
Must not be nearer the hole than the reference point, and
Must be in the general area.

In proceeding under this Local Rule, the player must choose a spot to place the ball and use the procedures for replacing a ball under Rules 14-2b(2) and 14-2e.

I anticipate that these extensions to relief available will make your golf experience over Winter more enjoyable whether in competitions or playing casually.

George Auterson
Chair of Competition & Handicap (C&H)