KMGC STANDARD LOCAL RULES
Any additions or amendments to these Rules will be published on the Club Notice Board
A. A BALL IS OUT OF BOUNDS ( Rule 18-2 )
Beyond any wall, fence, hedge or line of white stakes defining the
boundary of the Course
On or beyond any white line defining the boundary of the Course
Beyond white posts on that part to the left of the 3rd hole as defined by such posts
Within the Green Keepers compound as defined by white posts
The Practice Ground
Note: The “ British Rail “ fence behind the 16th Green and left of the 17th and 18th holes is an OUT OF BOUNDS fence and free relief is NOT available
B. PENALTY AREAS Including Water Hazards ( Rule 17 )
Penalty Area are defined by Red Posts
Relief from a ball in a Penalty Area may be taken as follows:
No Penalty - Play the ball as it lies
Under Penalty of One Stroke
Stroke and Distance (Back to where the previous stroke was made)
Back-On The Line Relief (A straight line through the hole and where the ball last crossed the hazard
As far back at the Players choice
Lateral Relief: Two clubs length from where ball last crossed the margin of the hazard
NB The ball is not now permitted to be dropped on the opposite side of the Penalty Area NB Within the course all streams and ditches are Water Hazards whether containing water or not.
C. ABNORMAL COURSE CONDITIONS (RULE 16)
Any area bounded by a blue line
French Drains (Stone Filled Drainage Ditches)
Seams of cut turf (But not if interference is only to the Players stance )
All artificially surfaced roads and paths on the Course including any covered with wood chip or mulch
Individual pieces of wood chip are Loose Impediments
Tractor ruts (NOT faint indentations) are to be treated as Abnormal Course Conditions.
D. OBSTRUCTIONS (Rule 24-2)
Anything artificial – including the artificial surfaces and sides of road and paths
That part of any bridge WITHIN the bounds of the hazard as defined by red stakes or markings. Relief from this area can only be taken under penalty of one stroke unless the ball is played as it lies
Note the club may be grounded if the ball is played from the bridge and loose impediments may be removed
A penalty of one stroke is incurred if the ball moves when a loose impediment is moved. The ball must be replaced
E. IMMOVABLE OBSTRUCTIONS CLOSE TO PUTTING GREEN INCLUDING FIXED SPRINKLER HEADS (Rule 16-1a)
Relief is available without penalty if a ball lying off the Putting Green within two club lengths of an immovable obstruction that is, in itself, within two club lengths of the Putting Green, has intervention on the line of play. The ball MUST be dropped at the NEAREST point of relief not nearer the hole
F. DISTANCE MEASURING DEVICE (DMD) (Rule 4.3a)
A Player may only obtain distance information by using a device that measures distance only.
G. ACCIDENTAL MOVEMENT OF A BALL ON THE PUTTING GREEN (Rules 9.3 to 9.6)
When a Player’s ball lies on the putting green there is NO PENALTY if the ball or ball marker is accidentally moved by::
Natural Forces (Wind or Water) Rule 9.3 The ball must be played as it lies.
The Player or his Caddie (Rule 9.4)
The Opponent or Opponents Caddie in Match Play (Rule 9.5)
An Outside Influence including any other Player in Stroke Play (Rule 9.6)
NB The ball must be replaced without penalty under Rules 9.4 9.5 9.6
NB If the ball is not replaced the Player incurs the General Penalty of Two Strokes or Loss of Hole in Match Play ( Playing from the wrong place )
H. DROP ZONE (Rule 14.3 )
A Drop Zone is a special form of relief area that may be provided by the Committee if other relief options are unsatisfactory.
The conditions are:
The Player must drop the ball IN and it comes to rest IN the Drop Zone
The Player may stand outside the Drop Zone to drop the ball within
If the Drop Zone is defined by a line the line is inside the Drop Zone
I. ISLAND IN LAKE IN FRONT OF 17th AND 18th GREEN (RULE 17.1d)
The island in the lake is a NO Play Zone within a Penalty Area and the
Player incurs a Penalty Stroke
J. NO PLAY ZONE (Rule 16.1f)
A No Play Zone is defined as part of the Course where the Committee has prohibited play
A No Play Zone must be defined as part of either an Abnormal Course Condition or a Penalty Area
The edge of a No Play Zone should be defined with a line or a dotted line or stakes different from those of an Abnormal Course Condition or a Penalty Area
K. SUSPENSION OF PLAY (Rule 5-7)
See Detailed Summary in Main Section 14
L. PACE OF PLAY POLICY (Rule 5.6)
See Detailed Summary in Main Section 19
Players must play without undue delay and in accordance with any guidelines set out by the Committee
The time taken to complete a Round may at times be monitored by the Handicap and Competitions Committee and sanctions may be imposed for any undue delay
Where appropriate the Committee will follow the recommendations and policies of England Golf; the full policies are available on the EG website
M. REPLACEMENT OF CLUB BROKEN OR SIGNIFICANTLY DAMAGE (Rule 4.1b(2))
If a Players club is “ broken or significantly damaged “ during the round by the Player or his Caddie except in cases of abuse the Player may replace the club without penalty with any other club under Rule 4.1b(2) NB: The original club must immediately be taken out of play
A club face or club-head is not “ significantly damaged “ solely because the face is cracked
N. EMBEDDED BALL (Rule 16.3)
Relief without penalty is allowed for a ball embedded in the General Area
NB The Course is divided into five areas
The General Area Rule 2
The Teeing Area Rule 6.2
All Bunkers Rule 12
The Putting Green Rule 13
All Penalty Areas Rule 17
O. PROTECTION OF YOUNG TREES (Rule 16.1)
Young trees protected by wrapping, stakes or otherwise are No Play Zones.
If a ball lies anywhere on the Course other than in a Penalty Area and it lies on or touches such a tree or such a tree interferes with the players stance or the area of his intended swing the Player must take relief, without penalty, under Rule 16.1f (One clubs length from the Nearest Point Of Relief).
P. LOOSE IMPEDIMENTS (Rule 15.1a)
Without Penalty a Player may remove loose impediments anywhere on the Course (including the surfaces of bridges) and may do so any way
NB If the ball moves when removing a loose impediment the Player incurs one stroke penalty under Rule 9.4b unless such movement occurs in the Teeing Area or on the Putting Green in which case the ball must be replaced without penalty
Q. IRRIGATION LINES AND ADJACENT DAMAGE (Rule 16-1b)
If a players ball lines in, on or touches such an area and interferes with a player’s area of intended swing the Player is entitled to relief without penalty. NB Interference does not exist if the irrigation lines only interferes with the player’s stance.
LOCAL RULE INTRODUCED ON 19TH AUGUST 2022 WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT
Cracks in the ground in parts of the General Area ( Through the Green ) cut to fairway height or less are " ground under repair "
The Player may take relief under Rule 16.1b
Note No relief is available if the interference only interferes with the Player's stance