Category: Rules of Golf

Everyone:

Following Kelly’s recent reminder about the care of our bunkers I wanted to

follow up with a few more reminders. These are not Rules as such, but bunkers

are addressed in Rule 1.2 Standards of Player Conduct, “Taking good care of the

course.” There are no penalties for not raking a bunker, damaging the side of a

bunker when you climb in and out, or tracking sand across the putting surface,

but as a matter of etiquette all players are expected to show consideration to

others by keeping the course in the best playing condition possible!

1. Entering and exiting on the high side.

Many golfers enter and exit bunkers from the high side, clambering up and down steep faces like mountaineers. That a no-no. For starters, it produces deep and sloppy footprints, which take longer to smooth over. But that’s not all. Over time, all that tramping can harm the integrity of the bunker itself. Take a little more time, even if it requires you to take a few more steps, and always enter and exit on the low side of the bunker.

2. Half-hearted raking.

Many golfers take the lazy way, dragging the rake behind them — with sloppy results. In the long term it’s the maintenance crew’s job to ensure that bunkers remain in good condition but in the short term — as in right after playing a bunker shot — it’s the golfer’s job. Spend a few extra seconds and take a little extra effort to rake with two hands, smoothing over the sand while backing slowing out of the bunker. You know you’ve done the job right when it’s hard to tell that you were ever there.

3. Leaving rakes in the line of play.Many golfers’ errant shots have been saved from going into the bunker by hitting a rake which was probably left in the wrong place. Different courses have different protocols where they want the rakes placed. Our course likes them half in and half out of the bunker, but try to ensure they are not left directly in the line of play for the oncoming players. A bad ricochet off a rake could send a player’s ball into a lake!

4. Tracking sandy footprints.

We have all complained about sandy footprints left on the putting surface by some inconsiderate golfer up ahead who played from the bunker and forgot to tap their shoes clean. These sandy footprints can also, in some cases, send putts off line. The solution is simple. As you exit the bunker, tap your shoes gently with your wedge, dislodging any lingering sand from your shoes and letting it fall back where it belongs. Show consideration to your fellow players as the sand you left behind might make the difference of a par putt rather than a birdie putt.

I hope this helps you.

Hilary

All: As your Tournament Committee has decided that in upcoming play days they will be allowing the Local Rule for Preferred Lies, and the Local Rule for relief from Goose poop I have attached both these Local Rules with this e mail.  I hope this helps you. -Hilary 

PREFERRED LIES, WINTER RULES

When temporary abnormal conditions are widespread on the course and may interfere with fair play the Committee can choose to adopt a Local Rule for Preferred lies.  

LOCAL RULE E-3 states:

When any part of a player’s ball touches 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 and playing it from this relief area.  

The relief area is decided by the Committee* such as one club length or one score card length, and the reference point for relief is the spot where the original ball lies.

*Be certain to check with our Tournament Committee before play the distance they have approved for you to use for relief.

ANIMAL DUNG

There are two options for using this Local Rule.  

Treating the poop as a “loose impediment” which, if you moved your ball when removing the poop, you would incur a one stroke penalty or,

Treating the poop as “Ground under Repair” which is the better option.  No penalty.

LOCAL RULE F-12 states:

At the player’s option goose dung may be treated either as:

A loose impediment that may be removed under Rule 15.1. (One penalty stroke if ball is moved.) Or

Ground under Repair from which free relief is allowed under Rule 16.1. (One club length relief no closer to the hole.)

Some Rules are used more often in the Fall.  Below are some reminders.

AERATION HOLES

Fall is the time to start getting the course back in shape after the hot summers, and aeration is critical in this process.  Sadly for the golfer numerous aeration holes may be present in the fairway and on the putting green.

If Local Rule E-4 has been approved for play by your Tournament Committee or your Head Professional, then you may take free relief.  Be sure to check on this before your round.

If a player’s ball lies in or touches an aeration hole in the General Area the player may take free relief under Rule 16.1 b. If when your ball is dropped in the one club length relief area it comes to rest in another aeration hole the ball may be redropped. If on the redrop your ball comes to rest in another aeration hole the ball may then be PLACED away from the aeration hole under Rule 14.2.

If a player’s ball lies in or touches an aeration hole on the Putting green, relief may be taken under Rule 16-1d.  On the putting green the ball is PLACED not dropped at the closest point where it does not touch an aeration hole.  

LEAVES, LEAVES AND LEAVES

As pretty as they may be in the fall, they are a real nuisance if your ball lands among them and hides from you!  Prior to the recent Rules changes if you moved your ball while searching you would get a penalty.  

Now Rule 7.4 allows players to search for a ball and if it is accidentally moved there is no penalty.  Replace the ball on its original spot or, if the spot is not exactly known, estimate the spot.  Do not drop the ball but PLACE it, Rule 14.2b(2)/1.

 Remember though, you only have three minutes to search before your ball is declared “Lost”.  

Enjoy Fall golf.  Winter golf will be here soon enough.  Brrrr…..