Olton Golf Club - Local Rules

  1. OUT OF BOUNDS (Rule 18)  

Out of bounds is defined by the line between the course-side points at ground level of white stakes and fence posts and the course side edge of any white line defining out of bounds. Out of bounds is also defined by any boundary hedge or fence.

  2. PENALTY AREAS (Rule 17)

Penalty areas are marked by red or yellow stakes and lines 

    a. The Brook crossing the course is a yellow penalty area. All bridges crossing the brook in the general area of the course are integral objects - play as lies or take penalty relief as Rule 17.1d.

For clarity, the rubber surface covering the bridge to the left of the second green, within the yellow posts, is deemed in the penalty area and the ball can be played where it lies or relief taken with penalty under Rule 17.1d

  b. The Heather Beds on holes 1, 4/5 & 18 are all red penalty areas - play as it lies or take penalty relief [including ball not found] under Rule 17.1d or 17.2.

All other Heather Beds except those mentioned under rule 2b constitute a No Play Zone to be treated as Abnormal Course Condition - mandatory free relief under Rule 16.1.

  3.ABNORMAL COURSE CONDITIONS. (Rule 16)

  a. Fixed Sprinkler Heads are immovable obstructions and 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 - There is no relief under this Local Rule if the player chooses a line of play that is clearly unreasonable. The ball may be cleaned when lifted (Rule 14-1c)

  b. All artificially surfaced tracks and pathways, including fixed rubber mats in the general area including those covered in wood chips or gravel and the machinery track to the left of the 4th, 6th and 7th fairways are immovable obstructions. Relief may be taken under Rule 16.1b. All other paths and tracks together with chipped bark areas beneath trees in the general area course are integral objects. (Play as lies or take penalty relief)
  c. Temporary Winter Greens located on all holes are a wrong green even when not in use and relief must be taken under Rule 13.1f.
  d. Deep Tractor Ruts – a ball lying in such conditions in the General Area is allowed free relief under Rule 16.1.
  e. Young trees identified by stakes or wrapping are no play zones:

                     If a player's 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 player's stance or area of intended swing, the player must take relief under Rule 16.1f.

                   If the ball lies in a penalty area, and interference to the player's stance or area of intended swing exists from such a tree, the player must take relief either with penalty under Rule 17.1e or with free relief under Rule 17.1e(2)

  f. Areas of damage caused by crows anywhere on the course except Penalty Areas and Bunkers are treated as ground under repair from which relief is allowed in the General Area under Rule 16.1b and on the Putting Green under Rule 16.1d.  (When the ball is on the putting green, relief may be taken when the abnormal course condition interferes on the line of play).

  4. SUSPENSION OF PLAY - KLAXON WARNING SOUNDS (Rule 5.7) 

An immediate suspension of play for a dangerous situation will be signalled by ‘One prolonged note of the siren’ and players MUST mark their ball and return to the clubhouse. All other suspensions will be signalled by ‘Three consecutive notes of the siren’. Players to mark their ball and take shelter. In either case resumption of play will be signalled by ’Two short notes of the siren’. See Rule 5.7b.

PENALTY FOR BREACH OF LOCAL RULE: Match Play - Loss of Hole; Stroke Play - Two Strokes