Course Score Card

Local Rules

To be read in conjunction with the Rules of Golf, as adopted by R&A Rules Ltd, and any Temporary Local Rules on the Noticeboard

1.Out of Bounds (Rule 18)

Out Of Bounds is defined as beyond the course side points, at ground level, of any line of white stakes with black tops or fence posts defining the boundary of the course.

2.Penalty Areas (Rule 17)

Penalty Areas are defined by red stakes, lines or dots. Note: these stakes are immovable obstructions.

3.Abnormal Course Conditions (Rule 16)

3.1   Ground Under Repair (GUR) is any area encircled by white painted lines or dashes, and/or white stakes. Stakes defining GUR are Immovable Obstructions.

3.2   Except in a Penalty Area, clearly defined wheel ruts made by a mower, tractor or motor vehicle. Interference does not exist if a wheel rut interferes with a player’s stance.

3.3   If an Immovable Obstruction is on the line of play, and is in the General Area and is within 2 club-lengths of the putting green and within 2 club-lengths of the ball, a player may take relief under Rule 16.1b.

The ball may be lifted and dropped at the nearest point to where the ball lay that is, a) not nearer the hole, b) avoids interference and c) is not in a penalty area or on a putting green. Exception; there is no relief if the player chooses a line of play that is clearly unreasonable.

3.4   Exposed Tree Roots. If a player’s ball is in the General Area and there is interference from exposed tree roots that are in a part of the General Area cut to fairway length the tree roots are treated as Ground Under Repair. The player may take relief under Rule 16.1 (but interference does not exist if the tree roots interfere with the player’s stance).

3.5   Washaways in bunkers. Areas in bunkers where sand has been removed by the movement of water resulting in deep furrows are abnormal ground conditions (Ground Under Repair).

3.6   Play is prohibited from a cultivated garden bed identified by white stakes with a green stripe. Note: All other planted areas are an integral part of the course from which the ball must be played or declared unplayable.

3.7   Staked Trees and Shrubs. If a tree or shrub, that is either staked and/or protected by a tree guard, interferes with the player’s stance or the area of their intended swing, the ball MUST be lifted, without penalty and dropped in accordance with the procedure prescribed in Rule 16. Note; stakes are Immovable Obstructions.

3.8   Roads and Paths Artificially surfaced or formed roads and paths (including loose gravel) are immovable obstructions. All other roads, paths and tracks are an integral part of the course from which the ball must be played or declared unplayable (Rule 19).

4.Power Lines and Poles (Rule 14.6)

If a ball strikes an elevated power line or cable on the course or poles supporting such lines or cables, the stroke must be cancelled and replayed without penalty. If the ball is not immediately recoverable another ball may be substituted.

5.Above-Ground Travelling Irrigators

If the irrigator, its anchoring mechanism, or the metal guiding cable interfere with a player’s stance or intended area of swing, the provisions of Rule 16 (Immovable Obstructions) apply.

Line of Sight Interference occurs if all of the following conditions are met:

• The Irrigator or its anchoring mechanism lie on a player’s line of intended play (so long as the intended line of play is reasonable)
• The ball is not in a Penalty Area
• It is NOT clearly unreasonable to expect the Travelling Irrigator Unit to interfere with the movement of the player’s ball

If Line of Sight interference occurs, as defined above (or if the player’s ball lies within one club-length of Line of Sight Interference existing as defined, and where the other Line of Sight requirements are met), the player MAY take relief as follows:

• Drop a ball within 2 club-lengths of the nearest spot on the course (which is not in a penalty area or on a putting green), which is not nearer the hole than the ball’s original position and where Line of Sight Interference as defined above, does not exist.

6.Car Parks

The car parks are compulsory GUR. If your ball enters the car park from the 8th or the 18th holes,  you can choose to drop in a drop zone or take normal relief (When a player uses a dropping zone, the ball must be dropped in the dropping area and it must come to rest in the dropping zone)

7.Integral Objects

An Integral Object is an artificial object defined by the Committee as part of the challenge of playing the course from which free relief is not allowed.

• All dirt tracks, pathways and roads that are not artificially surfaced
• All wood-chipped and mulched areas (individual wood chips are loose impediments)
• All gardens unless defined with white stakes with green tops
• Artificial retaining areas, and pilings when located within a penalty area
• The artificial stacked-turf walls of bunkers

Penalty for breach of Local Rule

• Match Play; loss of hole
• Stroke Play; general penalty under Rule 14-7a (2 strokes)

Temporary Local Rules

(check Local Rules board or Scorecard when in operation)

8a. Preferred Lies

1. 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 by placing the original ball or another ball in and playing it from this relief area:

• Reference Point is the spot of the original ball.
• Size of Relief Area Measured from Reference Point: 30cm from the reference point, but within these limits 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.

2. A player must mark the Reference Point before lifting the ball.

8b. Relief from Aeration Holes

This rule may be in operation only during course renovations and will be indicated on the Noticeboard.

If a player’s ball lies in or touches an aeration hole:

• (a) Ball in General Area. The player may take relief under Rule 16.1b. If the ball comes to rest in another aeration hole the player may take relief again under this Local Rule.
• (b) Ball on Putting Green. The player may take relief under Rule 16.1d.

But interference 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.

By-Laws & Code of Conduct

1. During practice rounds, players (members and visitors) are permitted to play no more than two balls (e.g. no practice chipping of more than two balls onto any green, no repeated shots over the 2nd dam, no multiple tee shots off the 5th tee).
2. Please report any golf ball damage (that you or your playing partners cause to buildings or property) to the office or other club staff as soon as possible. This includes Out of Bounds shots that you think might have caused damage. Please take note of time of day and description of damage.
3. Bar trading hours are as advised by the Office. Members and visitors are required to vacate the club within half an hour of closing the bar.
4. There will be no payouts on the poker machines after the bar has closed.
5. Dress Code: The Dress Code has been relaxed in recent years, but we still require members and visitors to dress tidily & appropriately for golf and clubhouse, such that the standard of dress should be commensurate with the dignity of the Club. Smartness, neatness and cleanliness are an inflexible standard. For example, players must wear a shirt (collar preferred but not essential) and shorts/pants/skirt/skort (or a dress or a onesie if you must) and shoes (joggers or golf shoes for golf, thongs permitted in clubhouse). Please remove hats/caps when in the clubhouse. Wear a hat/visor in the sun and don’t forget sunscreen. Club Directors or staff are entitled to ask any unsuitably-attired person to leave the premises (e.g. bikini/mankini is not acceptable).
6. Players must not purchase golf balls from people who collect balls from on our course or dams.
7. No printed or written paper, notice, or placard can be exhibited on any board or noticeboard in the clubhouse or on the course without approval from the Board. Similarly selling raffle tickets and fundraising chocolates also requires approval.
8. Visitors: Members of recognised affiliated golf clubs are permitted to play at the discretion of the Match Committee. Visiting golfers are permitted to play five games at MGC per year (at visitors’ rates). Visitors must produce their [valid] golflink card. Visitors must seek permission before using practice facilities.
9. Reciprocal Clubs: As a general courtesy, players wishing to access reciprocal club arrangements should contact the respective Pro Shop a minimum of 7 days prior to any planned play, and present golflink card on arrival.
10. The practice area near the solar structure/9th tee must not be used during any 18 hole competition. It is your business to find out if any 18 hole competition, including pennants, is being played.
11. All players should be on the tee ready to hit off at their appointed time. If you’re going to be late, please phone the Pro-Shop.
12. Players who are booked into a timesheet and fail to turn up or notify the Pro-Shop may have their booking privileges withdrawn for a period of time.
13. Players must comply with conditions of play, as set for the competition.
14. Course staff have right of way on the course.
15. Members and visitors are expected to observe the etiquette of golf, with particular regards to course care (e.g. raking bunkers, carrying a sand bucket and filling divots, repairing pitch marks on greens, & playing at a reasonable pace) and to observe good conduct such as not to bring the Club into disrepute and to treat other members and visitors with courtesy and respect (as per Rule 1.2). Similarly, players who don’t win are expected to be gracious losers.
16. Merewether Golf Club will not tolerate:
    >> any conduct considered threatening or harassing or that could threaten the physical or emotional safety of another individual;
    >> sexual harassment of any kind, including any conduct, comment, gesture or contact of a sexual nature that is likely to cause offence or humiliation, regardless of whether or not the offender perceived their actions to be unwelcome;
    >> tantrums or outbursts from players such that their behaviour takes away the enjoyment of the game for their playing partners, as per Rule 1.2. Examples of unacceptable behaviour include inappropriate/frequent/loud expressions of anger, and excessive loud swearing or abusive language.
    >>  any conduct that could result in damage to the property of the Club;
    >> intoxication

A member who is in breach of these By-Laws / Code of Conduct may be required to face a Disciplinary Committee.