Under rule 4-3 Use of Equipment, the use of distance measuring devices is permitted. 
The following rule is now in play to clarify the use of distance measuring devices.

For all play in all Club Competitions a player may obtain distance information by use of a distance-measuring device. If, during a stipulated round a player uses a distance-measuring device to gauge or measure other conditions that might affect their play ( eg elevation changes, wind direction or speed ) the player is in breach of Rule 4-3.

NOTE: To be read in conjunction with the Rules of Golf and the local rules displayed on the notice board and website. Where there is an apparent conflict, the rules on the notice board will take precedence.

The player takes relief by dropping the ball in a relief area based on the nearest point of complete relief. Examples are:

• Greenskeepers' compound, defined by concrete border, black stakes and the roadway.

• Watering equipment (hoses, sprinklers) and the spray from watering equipment.

• Protective screen between the 1st and 18th holes (relief for lie of ball, stance or area of intended swing may be taken on the side of the fence of the hole being played). If the screen interferes with the line of play, relief may be taken at the nearest end of the fence, no nearer the hole.

• Rubbish bins, computer boxes, garden seats, sand bins, distance indicators, stone or brick walls, steps and handrails, paths covered in artificial material (i.e. metal, woodchips etc.)

• Sprinkler heads close to putting greens (interference exists if an obstruction is: on the player's line of play, and is within two club-lengths of the putting green, and is within two club-lengths of the ball). Exception - no relief under this Local Rule if the player chooses a line of play that is clearly unreasonable.

• Animal holes (interference does not exist if the area only interferes with the player's stance).

• Clearly defined wheel ruts made by machinery/vehicles (not shallow indentations or work tracks).

• Ground affected by tree roots on surfaces cut to fairway height or less (interference does not exist if the area only interferes with the player's stance).

If a ball is lying on a tree root, or the tree root interferes with a player's stance or area of intended swing, on a closely mown area of the course, the player may play the ball as it lies or the tree root may be treated as an immovable obstruction.

Rule 16-1b

Model Local Rule F-9.1

If a players ball is at rest in a portion of the general area cut to fairway height or less and there is interference from exposed tree roots that are in part of the general area cut to fairway height or less, the tree roots are treated as GUR. The player may take free relief under rule 16.1b.

• Fallen trees or branches (attached or unattached) - in consultation with fellow comptitiors, must be deemed recent damage and that the obstruction will be removed by green keeping staff.

Motorised Carts may be used in Club Competitions. The exception is that if a Motorised Cart is required for any member playing in Club Championship Events the player MUST provide a Doctors Certificate to the Match Committee prior to the event. Playing partners must also have a Doctors Certificate if travelling in the Cart with their equipment.

See Local Rule - No Play Zones

A ball is OOB when it is lying outside the boundary defined by:-

1. The fence bounding the course
2. Roadside kerbing and gutters
3. All white posts bordering any fairway

Rule 18-2b

Penalty: one stroke and distance.

The player takes relief by dropping the ball in a relief area based on the nearest point of relief.

All areas defined by white lines, hoops, ropes stakes and flags.

Staked/protected trees and shrubs, and the stake/guards protecting them.

All landscaped and planted garden beds.

Rule 16-1f

When a player's ball has not been found or is known or virtually certain to be out of bounds, the player may proceed as follows rather than proceeding under stroke and distance.

For two penalty strokes, the player may take relief by dropping the original ball or another ball in this relief area (see Rule 14.3):

Two Estimated Reference Points:

(a). Ball Reference Point: The point where the original ball is estimated to have:

• Come to rest on the course, or
• Last crossed the edge of the course boundary to go out of bounds.

(b). Fairway Reference Point: The point of fairway of the hole being played that is nearest to the ball reference point, but is not nearer the hole than the ball reference point.

For purposes of this Local Rule, "fairway" means any area of grass in the general area that is cut to fairway height or less.

If a ball is estimated to be lost on the course or last crossed the edge of the course boundary short of the fairway, the fairway reference point may be a grass path or a teeing ground for the hole being played cut to fairway height or less.

Size of Relief Area Based on Reference Points: Anywhere between:

• A line from the hole through the ball reference point (and within two club-lengths to the outside of that line), and
• A line from the hole through the fairway reference point (and within two club-lengths to the fairway side of that line).

But with these limits:

Limits on Location of Relief Area:

• Must be in the general area, and
• Must not be nearer the hole than the ball reference point.

Once the player puts a ball in play under this Local Rule:

• The original ball that was lost or out of bounds is no longer in play and must not be played.
• This is true even if the ball is found on the course before the end of the three-minute search time (see Rule 6.3b).

But the player may not use this option to take relief for the original ball when:

• That ball is known or virtually certain to have come to rest in a penalty area, or
• The player has played another ball provisionally under penalty of stroke and distance (see Rule 18.3).

A player may use this option to take relief for a provisional ball that has not been found or is known or virtually certain to be out of bounds.

NOTE: This Temporary Local Rule is in regard to closley mown areas or bare patches on the fairway being played.

By order of the Match Committee, the temporary local rule regarding Mark, Lift and Place on the fairway being played is currently NOT IN Play.

When any part of a player's ball lies on the fairway in play and comes to rest in an area effected by mowing activities the player may take free relief once by placing the original ball in a Relief Area.
•     The ball must be marked before lifting
•     Relief can be taken within 1 club length of the marked location
•     The chosen Relief Area
       o Must not be nearer the hole than the original marked point, and
       o Must be in the general area.
Penalty for breach of Local Rule: the General Penalty: – One Stroke. (See Rule 14.1) Note 1: Fairway in play only

Note 2: Before lifting, the position of the ball must be marked. Penalty for failing to mark the ball or moving it after placing: 1 Penalty stroke.

This rule is currently NOT IN PLAY.

The Match Committee have chosen to issue a Local Rule to provide relief for a ball that comes to rest on a bare patch on the fairway in play as per the attached flyer.

The Local Rule will take effect from this coming Saturday, 22/02/25.

Please be aware that this is only for the closely mown area of the fairway in play and does not provide for relief for any other areas of the course.

Local Rule - Relief from Bare Patches 2025.pdf