Local Rules

Horsforth Golf Club Local Rules

October 2022

1. Out Of Bounds (Rule 18-2)

1. Beyond any boundary wall, fence or hedge.
2. 1st hole – The area defined by the white posts, including the garden to the right of the first tee, practice putting green, any patio areas and the white posts to the right side of the 18th hole.
3. 10th – When playing the 10th hole only, beyond the continuous line of white posts which enclose the approach to the 11th green. Otherwise the posts are moveable obstructions.
4. 17th hole – Beyond the white posts marking the area of the Greenkeeper’s Compound.
5. 18th hole – Beyond the white posts to the left and rear of the 18th green.

2. Roads and Paths

1. All roads and paths with artificial surfaces, benches, fairway marker posts, sheds and shelters are immovable obstructions and relief can be taken in accordance with Rule 16.1.

3. Trees

1. Protection of Trees ldentified by Stakes or a protective tube 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 a player’s stance or area of intended swing, the player must take relief under Rule 16.1f.
2. If a player’s ball lies in a plantation of trees defined by black and white posts from which play is prohibited, or if such area interferes with the players stance, or the area of his intended swing, they must take relief under Rule 16.1f.

4. Immovable Obstructions

1. 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.

5. Dropping Zones

1. Dropping Zone 15th hole, a ball coming to rest in the marked area by the boundary wall to the left of the 15th green, may be dropped under penalty of one stroke in the dropping zone NEAREST to which a player’s ball lies.
2. Dropping Zones to the rear of holes 16 and 17, If a ball is in the penalty area, the player may take relief under Rule 17.1 or, as an additional option, drop a ball in the nearest dropping zone, both under penalty of one stroke.

6. Aeration Holes

1. lf a player’s ball lies in or touches an aeration hole:
   • Ball in General Area. The player may take relief under Rule 16.1b. If a ball comes to rest in another aeration hole the player may take relief again under this Local Rule.
   • Ball on Putting Green. The player may take relief under Rule 16.1d.
2. But inteference does not exist if the aeration hole only interferes with the player’s stance or, on the putting green, on the player’s line of play.

7. Abnormal Course Conditions

1. Tractor tyre marks: A ball lying in a deep rutted tyre mark that leaves an edge, may without penalty under Rule 16.1 be lifted, cleaned and dropped at the nearest point of complete relief. Relief is not allowed if only the players stance is affected.
2. Manmade cracks in the ground (drainage works) in parts of the general area cut to fairway height or less are ground under repair. The player may take relief under Rule 16.1b. Relief is not allowed if only the players stance is affected.
3. Bunker liners are integral objects; if a bunker liner has moved and is no longer in its intended position, relief is allowed under Rule 16.1c. Relief is not allowed if only the players stance is affected.

8. Bridges Next To Penalty Area

1. Bridges over penalty areas are not in the penalty area and are immovable obstructions, relief can be taken in accordance with Rule 16.1. Free relief is not permitted for a ball anywhere in any penalty area, Rule 17 applies.

Penalty for breach of local rules (those not covered by the rules): Match Play – Loss of Hole; Stroke Play – Two Strokes.