Local Rules

Sandiway GC - Local Rules (Effective 9th August 2024)

1. Out of Bounds

A ball is out of bounds when it is (a) beyond the line between the course-side points at ground level of the rabbit fence posts bounding the course or (b) beyond the course side edge of the white line and white stakes on the RHS of the 18th fairway. White stakes with black tops have been placed for visibility and these stakes are immovable obstructions.

2. Protection of Trees

Young trees identified by stakes, bands or plastic sleeves are no play zones.

If the ball lies anywhere on the course other than in a penalty area and lies on or touches such a tree or such a tree interferes with the player's stance or area of intended swing, the player must take relief under rule 16.1f.

Penalty for playing ball from a wrong place in breach of Local Rule: General Penalty under Rule 14.7a.

3. Ground Under Repair

Ground under repair is defined by any area encircled by a white line.

4. No Play Zones

No play zones are defined by blue lines and relief must be taken under Rule 16.1f.

5. Integral Part of the Course

The artificial walls and artificial surrounding borders of bunkers, the artificial surface on tees and the wall to the left of the 12th fairway are integral objects.
The sandy area to the right of the 5th hole at the top of the hill is part of the “General Area” and is not a bunker.

6. Fairway Yardage Marker Discs

Fairway Yardage Marker Discs are Immovable Obstructions and relief may be taken under Rule 16.1.

7. Immovable Obstructions Close to Putting Green

Relief from interference by an immovable obstruction may be taken under Rule 16.1.

The player also has these extra options to take relief when such immovable obstructions are close to the putting green and on the line of play:

Ball in General Area. The player may take relief under Rule 16.1b if an immovable obstruction is: • On the line of play, and is:

• Within two club-lengths of the putting green, and
• Within two club-lengths of the ball.

Exception - No Relief If Line of Play Clearly Unreasonable. There is no relief under this Local Rule if  the player chooses a line of play that is clearly unreasonable.

8. Motorised Transportation

During a round, a player or caddie must not ride on any form of motorised transportation except as authorised or later approved by the Committee.

Penalty for breach of Local Rule: The player gets the general penalty for each hole during which there is a breach of this Local Rule. If the breach occurs between the play of two holes, it applies to the next hole.

9. Practice Ground

A player may practise on the designated area of the competition course before or between rounds. The designated practise area is to the right of the 1st fairway only and is identified by the mown area to the right of the trees on the 1st fairway.

10. Suspension of Play

A suspension of play for a dangerous situation will be signalled by one prolonged note of the siren. All other suspensions will be signalled by three consecutive notes of the siren. In either case, resumption of play will be signalled by two short notes of siren. See Rule 5.7b.

11. Preferred lies (Local Rule to apply during any period when preferred lies are in operation)

When a player's ball lies in a part of the general area cut to fairway height or less, 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 from the reference point, 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.

12. Use of Fairway Mats (Local Rule to apply during any period when fairway mats are in operation)

When a player's ball lies in a part of the “general area” cut to fairway height or less and a putter is not being used for the “stroke”, the player must take free relief by lifting the original ball and placing the original ball or another ball on an artificial mat and play it from there. The mat must be placed on top of the spot where the ball came to rest.

If a ball when placed rolls off the mat, the player must try to place it a second time. If the ball again does not stay on the mat, the mat must be moved to the nearest spot, not nearer the hole, where the ball will come to rest on the mat when placed. If the ball on the mat is accidentally moved before a “stroke” is made, there is no penalty and the ball must be placed again on the mat.

If a “tee” is used to secure the mat into the ground, the ball must not be placed on the “tee”.

If “mat zones” are marked out on fairways the use of a mat is only compulsory in these areas.

In addition, a fairway mat (with or without the ball being teed up) must be used on all grass tees for a tee shot where an iron is being used, unless the score is to be submitted for handicapping purposes under the WHS (competition or general play), when fairway mats on tees are not allowed, although an artificial teeing area/mat is acceptable

Penalty for Playing Ball from a “Wrong Place” in Breach of Local Rule: “General Penalty” Under” Rule 14.7a."

13. Tracks & Tyre Marks

Tracks and tyre marks made by maintenance vehicles and ride-on buggies are Ground Under Repair. The player may take relief under Rule 16.1

14. Temporary local rule (to apply until further notice) 

When playing from the 10th tee a player whose ball lands in that area of unmanaged rough in the general area which is defined by white stakes with blue tops between the front of the red tee and the beginning of the managed rough on the upslope shall be entitled to relief because of abnormal ground conditions in that area under Rule 16.1, without penalty

 The relief area is defined by the marked dropping zone to the left of the path at the start of the upslope. The ball must be dropped and come to rest in the dropping zone.

Explanation: The large temporary accumulation of water in the area of unmanaged rough has made this area unplayable. This area is unlikely to be brought back into play until remedial works have been carried out to remedy the drainage issues