OUT OF BOUNDS - A ball coming to rest in or beyond the river Roding at holes 6,7,8,9,10,11,16,17 and in or beyond the Aldersbrook stream on the right of 13,14 & 15. A ball coming to rest beyond the line of white stakes separating the course and the greenkeepers service road alongside holes 1,6,7 & 8. When playing the 18th hole the 18th tee is NOT out of bounds. A ball coming to rest in or beyond the stream to the right of the 16th hole marked with white stakes and to the right of the 17th tee box. The fences on the 6th and the 16th are the boundary of the course; as such relief may not be taken without penalty. Rule 27 applies.
A ball striking the Pylons or Cables on 13th, 14th, 15th & 16th holes MUST be replayed before moving forward without penalty. The entire base area and the structure of a pylon are deemed to be an immovable obstruction. The Automatic Watering System(s) installations are immovable obstructions and relief may be obtained under Rule 24-2. In addition, if a ball lies off the putting green but not in a hazard and an immovable obstruction on or within two club-lengths of the of the ball intervenes on the line of play between the ball and the hole, relief may be taken as follows: The ball must be lifted and dropped at the nearest point to where the ball lay that (a) is not nearer the hole, (b) avoids intervention and (c) is not in a hazard or on a putting green. The ball may be cleaned when lifted.
Relief may be taken where a ball comes to rest on drainage lines in any closely mown area. Relief must be taken at nearest point of relief. Relief may also be taken from the drain lines in the rough to the left of the 11th green and the right of the 12th. However, the ball must be dropped at the nearest point, within the rough. Drainage grills or covers are immovable obstructions, except those that lie within a hazard.
GROUND UNDER REPAIR (GUR) - Relief MUST be taken from all areas marked as G.U.R. If a dropping zone is available, a player may drop in the nearest dropping zone or within one club length of the nearest point of relief. Greenkeepers cuttings and wood are G.U.R. All areas of course works are to be treated as G.U.R.
BRIDGES OVER HAZARDS - Bridges over hazards on holes 2, 4, 13 and 16 (Over river) are obstructions within the hazard. There is No relief if the player’s ball lies within the hazard. A ball coming to rest under the bridges over the ditch running along holes 11, 12 and 13 and over the lateral hazard to the left of the 8th fairway adjacent to the 6th tee, may be dropped within the hazard, at the nearest point of relief without penalty.
All pathways (not bridges) through the ditches on holes 5, 8, 9 and 16 are defined as artificial path surfaces. You may: (a) Play the ball as it lies, or (b) take a drop from the walkway (no nearer the hole), without penalty. All paths with artificial edges or surfaces (such as those behind the 4th green and leading to the 5th and 13th hole bridges) are deemed to be immovable obstructions. Relief may be taken without penalty. All Other pathways are an integral part of the course. Relief may NOT be taken without penalty.
THE RIVER - Where the River is a water hazard, as distinct from a boundary, its width extends to the top of the inner edge of the outer bank. Where the river or brooks define the boundary of the course and are NOT staked or white lined, the boundary is defined as the edge of the river bank. A ball over the edge of the river but on the bank, is OUT OF BOUNDS. Boundary fences are NOT out of bounds. Play the ball as it lies or take a penalty drop.
A ball coming to rest on the Chipping Green or Fringe, to the right of the 8th green, MUST be dropped within one club-length of the nearest point of relief, not nearer the hole, without penalty.
PRACTICE NETS - The practice nets adjacent to the main path left of the 8th green are immovable obstructions. Relief to be taken under Rule 24-2 and in line with all other current local rules. Please also be aware of those playing the 8th and 9th holes while using the practice nets and keep excess noise to a minimum as you would elsewhere on the course.
STAKED TREES - Staked trees are immovable obstructions. Relief may be taken within one club-length of the nearest point of relief.
DISTANCE MEASURING DEVICES - The use of distance measuring devices is permitted under competition conditions. However, all devices must conform with the rules as stipulated under Rule 14-3 (p67/68) and App 1 (p136) and App IV (p162)
MARKER POSTS - All marker posts are movable obstructions (Rule 24-1) except markers denoting out of bounds. If the ball does not lie in or on the obstruction, the obstruction may be removed. If the ball moves, it must be replaced and there is no penalty provided the movement is directly attributable to the removal of the obstruction. Otherwise Rule 18-2a applies. If the ball lies in or on the obstruction, the ball may be lifted, and the obstruction removed. A ball through the green or in a hazard must be dropped, or on the putting green be placed, as near as possible to the spot directly under the place where the ball lay in or on the obstruction, but not nearer the hole. The ball may be cleaned when lifted under this Rule.
Updated: July 2021