TEMPORARY LOCAL RULE – effective from Jan 26th 2022
A ball lying in a part of the General Area cut to fairway/semi-rough height or less MUST be marked & lifted, without penalty, and may be cleaned. Players then have two options for subsequent play:
Option 1
The ball must be placed on and played from an Astroturf, or similar, type of mat in this Relief Area:
- Reference Point: Spot of the original ball;
- Size of Relief Area Measured from Reference Point: 6 inches (15cm)from the Reference Point, but with these limits:
- Limits on Location of Relief Area:
- Must not be nearer the hole than the Reference Point, and
- Must be in the General Area cut to fairway/semi-rough height.
If a ball, when placed, rolls from the mat it may be replaced without penalty. If it still fails to remain on the mat, the mat must be moved to the nearest spot not nearer the hole where the ball, when placed on it, will remain at rest. There is no penalty should the ball move or be moved after being placed on the mat and before making a stroke, including when addressing the ball or taking a practice swing.
Should a tee peg be used to secure the mat, the ball must not be placed on the tee.
Option 2
The ball may be played with a putter only from this Relief Area:
- Reference Point: Spot of the original ball;
- Size of Relief Area Measured from Reference Point: 6 inches (15cm)from the Reference Point, but with these limits:
- Limits on Location of Relief Area:
- Must not be nearer the hole than the Reference Point, and
- Must be in the General Area cut to fairway/semi-rough height.
Penalty for Playing Ball from a Wrong Place in Breach of Local Rule:
Match play – Loss of hole; Stroke play – Two strokes.
Rules of Golf Committee
Jan 2022
