Local Rules

Keysborough GC Local Rules.

To be read in conjunction with the Rules of Golf and any Temporary Local Rules.
Effective: March 2024. (Note: *MLR = Model Local Rule per Rules of Golf.)

OUT OF BOUNDS. (Stroke-&-distance penalty; if unsure, announce & play a Provisional ball)

Beyond the inside line of any fence or line of black-topped white stakes and/or white lines defining the boundary of the course. Car parks & roundabout. Practice fairway right of 1st hole. Practice area left of 10th tee. Clubhouse. Residence right of 1st hole.

INTEGRAL OBJECTS & ABNORMAL COURSE CONDITIONS (ACC) (*MLR F‑1)

A. Integral Objects.

Sandy Paths & Tracks with no introduced topping material such as stone, gravel, asphalt, etc. No free relief.

B. Immovable Obstructions.

Penalty Area Stakes (Red), GUR Stakes (White), Drop Zone Stakes (Blue).
Staked/Guarded Trees/Shrubs/Plants & their stakes & guards.
Fixed Sprinkler Heads / Taps / Drainage grates.
Paths & Roads – only those with introduced topping such as stone, gravel, asphalt.

Take free relief under Rule 16.1 for Immovable Obstructions (drop within one club-length of the nearest point of relief, no nearer the hole) or play it as it lies.
(NO free relief if a ball lies inside a Penalty Area, or for boundary markers/fences).

If a ball lies in the general area and an immovable obstruction is on the line of play AND is within two club-lengths of the putting green AND is within two club-lengths of the ball, the player may obtain relief without penalty under Rule 16.1b. (*MLR F‑5.1)

Overhead Wires.

A ball striking overhead wires at the 17th hole MUST be replayed, without penalty, as per Rule 14.6 (*MLR E‑11).

C. Ground Under Repair (GUR)

A player MAY take Rule 16.1 Relief without penalty for items (i) – (v):

i. Areas defined by white stakes, white lines, or GUR signs and ropes.

ii. Walkway matting and exposed matting in bunkers.

iii. Washaways in bunkers and at the margins of bunkers.

iv. Clearly defined deep wheel ruts (except in a penalty area).

v. If a player’s ball lies in or touches a seam of cut turf or a seam interferes with the player’s area of intended swing (but no relief if the seam only interferes with the player’s stance). (*MLR F‑7)

A player MUST take Rule 16.1 Relief without penalty for item (vi):

vi. Bunkers when being worked on by course maintenance staff. The entire bunker is GUR while work is in progress.

MOVABLE OBSTRUCTIONS.

On-course signs. Barriers, ropes, stakes and hoops guarding wet or worn areas. Take relief under Rule 15.2a. Objects moved should be replaced.

PENALTY AREAS – Dropping Stakes

Dropping Stakes on holes 3, 7 & 12 are a relief option (additional to Rule 17.1) for a ball found in or known or virtually certain to have come to rest in the penalty area. For one penalty stroke, drop a ball within one club-length of the dropping stake, and the ball must remain within the one club-length relief area (*MLR E1.1).

PENALTY FOR BREACH OF A LOCAL RULE

Stroke Play: 2 Strokes.          Match Play: Loss of hole.

DISTANCE MARKERS:

To the CENTRE of the green. Blue 100m; Yellow 150m; Red 200m; White 250m.

ETIQUETTE:

Players MUST: 

• Carry and use sand to fill divots.
• Rake footmarks in bunkers carefully before exiting.
• Repair pitch marks on greens (and around greens if not on one’s line of play).
• Maintain pace-of-play.