COURSE RULES
Below are a set of Rules that will hopefully answer some of the most common asked questions when playing at Bramcote Waters.
HOLE 1/10
A BALL EMBEDDED IN ITS OWN PITCHMARK IN THE GENERAL AREA MAY BE MARKED, LIFTED, CLEANED AND DROPPED FROM KNEE HEIGHT WITHIN 1 CLUB LENGTH. THE REFERENCE POINT IS THE SPOT RIGHT BEHIND WHERE THE BALL IS EMBEDDED. (rule 16.3)
IF A PLAYER NEEDS TO IDENTIFY HIS BALL OR WHEN PLACING HIS BALL WITHIN A SCORECARD LENGTH UNDER THE WINTER PLACING RULE ( THIS INCLUDES A BUNKER DURING THE CORONAVIRUS REGULATIONS) THE PLAYER _MUST MARK THE POSITION OF THE BALL BEFORE LIFTING THE BALL. FAILURE TO DO SO RESULTS IN A 1 STROKE PENALTY. (rule 14.1 )
IF A BALL GOING THROUGH THE BACK OF THE GREEN AND INTO THE TREES IS UNPLAYABLE THE PLAYER HAS 3 OPTIONS UNDER RULE 19.2
1. STROKE AND DISTANCE RELIEF
2. DROP A BALL BACK ON LINE FROM THE FLAG AS FAR AS YOU WANT IN THE GENERAL AREA.
3.LATERAL RELIEF WITHIN 2 CLUB LENGTHS OF WHERE THE BALL LIES NO NEARER THE HOLE.
ALL OF THE ABOVE OPTIONS WILL INCUR A 1 STROKE PENALTY.
HOLE 2/11
The mound of soil extracted from the ditch and the area beyond the ditch that has been damaged by the birds digging for grubs is to be treated as G.U.R. Free relief is available. Determine the nearest point of relief, which includes the stance, and drop the ball within one club length no nearer the hole. You may choose to play the ball as it lies if that is the better option. (Rule 16.1 )
When teeing off, if the ball drifts to the right, in order to take a 1 stroke penalty drop from the lateral penalty area (RED STAKES ), it must be known or virtually certain that the ball is in the penalty area ( RULE 17.1 ) Any doubt then the ball is deemed lost and you must return to where you played the last stroke from under stroke and distance penalty (RULE 18.2 )
3 options are available when taking a drop :-
1. Stroke and Distance
2. Back on a line from the point of entry to the flag as far as you like.
3. 2 clubs lengths from the point of entry no nearer the hole
HOLE 3/12
Once again its time for ” TIPS FROM THE PRO ”
1. The fence to the right of the green is a boundary fence, NOT an obstruction, so there is no free relief available if your swing is impeded by the fence.
The boundary line is the nearest inside point of the fence posts at ground level.
2. A ball striking the telegraph wire or pole must be replayed without penalty. (model local rule E11 )
HOLE 4/13
You only have 3 mins to look for a ball that is hiding. ( Rule 18.2 )
If a ball is unplayable in a bunker ( Rule 19.3 ) you have three options which incur a 1 stroke penalty.
a) Drop a ball within 2 club lengths of where it lies , no nearer the hole but still in the bunker.
b) Drop back on line ,still in the bunker.
c) Return to where you last played from into the bunker.
You may also drop back on line outside the bunker ,but this will incur a 2 stroke penalty.
HOLE 5/14
1.Prompt pace of play. ( Rule 5.6 ) You only have 40 seconds to play your shot when it is your turn to play. However ready golf is encouraged at all times.
In match play check with your opponent before playing.
2. The pond in front of the green is marked as a yellow penalty area. A ball ending up in the penalty area must be dropped keeping the last point of entry between you and the hole.
This may not always be the best option, i.e. behind a tree or to the right of the pond on the path.
You also have the option of returning to where you played your last stroke from.
HOLE 6/15
On the putting green a player may repair any damage to the surface except damage caused by :-
1. Machines when maintaining the overall condition of the green. Aeration holes, Vertical mowing etc
2. Irrigation, rain or natural forces.
3. Surface imperfections such as weeds, bare areas, diseased or uneven growth. ( Rule 13.1)
HOLES 7/16
Embedded ball (Rule 16.3) must be in its own pitchmark in the general area. The reference point is directly behind the ball and the ball must be dropped within one club length no nearer the hole still in the general area
There is no relief for a ball embedded in a penalty area.
A ball entering the trees on the corner of the hole to the right with no chance of clearing the trees is in the red penalty area.
Holes 8/17
The Anker river to the left of the hole is out of bounds. (Rule 18.2)
A ball entering the ditch between the fairways must be dropped on the side at which the ball entered the ditch and not in line with where it finished. The opposite margin drop is no longer available.
From the 8th tee a ball going over the trees in front of the tee and to the right that is not found, cannot be assumed to be in the penalty area especially if you have looked for the ball outside the penalty area. You must be virtually certain it is in the penalty area to be able to drop there otherwise you have to go back to the tee and take stroke and distance penalty. (Rule 17.1)
Holes 9/18
If your ball goes through the green and finishes near the line of telegraph poles on the ground you are entitled to free relief from the obstruction. Find the nearest point of relief and drop within one club length. This may be in the wood chip area. The individual wood chip pieces are loose impediments and may be removed but if the ball moves you incur a one shot penalty and the ball must be replaced.
There is no free relief if something other than the telegraph poles stops you playing a stroke i.e. The hedge
If your ball goes right off the tee it could be either in the penalty area or beyond it near the 6th green. If you look beyond the penalty area and cannot find it, you will need to find it in the penalty area to be able to take relief where it entered the penalty area otherwise like the 2nd and 8th its back to the tee.
