Golf rules and etiquette are important because they ensure fairness, safety and enjoyment for everyone on the course. The rules keep the game consistent and competitive, whilst etiquette i.e. respecting pace of play, maintaining the course and showing consideration for others helps create a positive atmosphere and together and they promote respect amongst players, protect the integrity of the game, and make golf more fun and accessible for all club members and visitors alike.

Lost Ball
If you think your ball will be lost then take a provisional ball – do not search for your ball, find it lost and then have to return to the place where you last hit your ball as this slows down play (provisional ball may be played until original ball has been reached)
If you find your ball and you have already played a provisional, then you must declare your original ball as the ball now in play
You have three minutes to look for a ball. Time starts when you start to search for the ball
Take your next shot before helping others look for their ball to speed up play

Greens
• Leave your golf bag and trolley at the side of the green nearest to the next tee
• Do not take your trolley between greenside bunkers and the green to avoid damaging the grass between the bunker and green
• The person furthest from the hole should normally go first regardless of whether someone is off the green (although this can be deviated from without penalty around the green to save time)
• Always mark your ball on the green
• Stay out of the eyeline of the person putting, be aware of where your shadow falls on the green and do not cast a shadow where someone is putting
• Ask your playing partners if they wish for the flag to be removed before they putt
• Do not putt unless someone else is watching, e.g. on 15th green, your other playing partners may be in a bunker or down slope of the green and have no visibility of the green. If you are on the green, wait until others can see you putt
• Repair pitch marks on the green
• Avoid stepping on other people’s lines

White Stakes
White stakes mark out of bounds areas (OOB). All of your ball needs to beyond the line between two white stakes to be out of bounds
• If you think you are OOB play a provisional ball (stating this is what you are doing)
• If you are out of bounds carry on playing your provisional ball which is now the ball in play (adding 1 penalty shot)
• If you haven’t played a provisional ball, take your next shot within one club length from where you last played a shot incurring one penalty stroke (stroke and distance – S&D)
Note1: If you find your ball is NOT out of bounds then you must play it even if your provisional ball is in a better position. You should declare this ball in play and pick up your provisional ball.
Note2: White OOB posts are not moveable obstructions.

Red Stakes
Red stakes mark a penalty area, e.g. around pond on 16th/17th or on right hand side of 6th fairway
If your ball lands in a penalty area you have 4 options:
• For a 1 shot penalty you can go back on the extension of the line from the hole back as far as you like from where the ball crossed the penalty area and take a drop on that line, 1 penalty stroke
• You can drop the ball two club lengths no nearer the hole, from where the ball crossed the line, 1 shot penalty
• You can play the ball as it lies if you find your ball in the penalty area – no penalty
• You can play another ball from the place where you last took your shot and take a drop within 1 club length for a 1 stroke penalty or tee up in the teeing area if relevant (S&D)
*Free Relief *
You are entitled to free relief when your ball is interfered with by an abnormal course condition (ACC), a dangerous animal condition, e.g. a snake, or when your ball is embedded in the general area, allowing you to take relief without penalty
An ACC includes things like ground under repair, animal holes and immovable objects such as sprinkler heads, cart paths or fences
• You get relief if your ball touches or lies on an ACC or if the ACC interferes with your swing path. Find your nearest point of relief and drop your ball within one club length of that point, no nearer the hole
• You DO NOT get relief from ACCs in penalty areas or if the ACC is out of bounds, from trees, branches, plants and their flowers and leaves which are still attached etc. Some course furniture such as 150 markers, red stakes, ropes and poles can be lifted up and out of the way. Removing OOB posts is never allowed.
An embedded ball is when it is stuck in the ground either on fairway or rough
Check the local rules on the back of the score card for specific regulations, e.g. spring flowers

Bunkers
You must not ground your club in the bunker at any time. You may move loose impediments such as stone, twigs, leaves, grass (i.e. natural elements) etc. If you move a loose impediment, be careful not to touch the sand, particularly around the ball.
If you have an unplayable ball in the bunker, then you can do any of the following options:
• Take a drop within 2 club lengths from the ball (within the bunker), 1 penalty stroke
• Go back on the extension of the line from the hole to the ball within the bunker and drop, 1 penalty stroke
• Outside the bunker, go back on extension of line, from the hole to the ball 2 penalty strokes
• Return to spot of last stroke, take a drop within 1 club length, 1 stroke penalty (S&D)

Abnormal Conditions in Bunker
• Without penalty, drop within 1 club length of NPR (nearest point of relief) in bunker
• Go back on extension of line, from the hole to the ball outside bunker, 1 penalty stroke
• Bunker completely flooded - go back on the extension of the line from the hole to the ball outside the bunker and drop, 1 penalty stroke

White & Red Safety Fences (Local Rules)
White fences can be found on right hand side of 8th fairway, on left of 14th fairway, on left of 15th (drop zone) and on left hand side of 18th fairway
There is no free relief from these fences
Drop your ball within 2 club lengths of the nearest point of relief for a 1 shot penalty
Red safety fences, i.e. on the 10th is free relief. Drop ball 1 club length from nearest point of relief

Note: Red fences indicate penalty areas and if your ball rolls under the fence there is a one-shot penalty, drop ball 2 club lengths from nearest point of relief.

Local Rules
Please refer to the club website and scorecards for local rules.