Local Rules
1.OUT OF BOUNDS- RULE 18
A ball is out of bounds when coming to rest completely beyond any boundary wall, fence or hedge as indicated by white stakes or white vertical lines or the area of the Clubhouse, including the approach road, the car park and the area marked by white pinstones on the west side of the Clubhouse including the putting green.
2.CONSTRUCTED PATHS & ARTIFICIAL GRASS-RULE 16
If a ball lies on a constructed path or artificial grassed area, relief MAY be taken in accordance with rule 16.1 “Abnormal Ground Conditions”
3.MOVABLE OBSTRUCTIONS –RULE 15.2
Stones in Bunkers
Rakes and Metal Spikes in or outside bunkers
Fairway Direction Poles
4.IMMOVABLE OBSTRUCTIONS-RULE 16.1
Relief from interference by an immovable obstruction (inc Penalty Area stakes) may be taken under Rule 16.1
5.PENALTY AREAS- RULE 17 (Formerly called Water Hazards)
Penalty Areas are identified by Yellow or red stakes or lines
NB The stakes are part of the area and are immovable objects. No relief can be obtained when a ball lies in a penalty area (see 5 above)
6. GROUND UNDER REPAIR - RULE 16.1
Play is PROHIBITED from any area encircled by white lines and marked GUR
Relief from the area MUST be taken under Rule 16.1 if:-
a ball lies in or is lost in it, or the area interferes with the players stance or intended path of swing
7. OVERHEAD POWER LINES – RULE 14.6
If a ball strikes a powerline, supporting pole or stay, the stroke is cancelled and MUST be replayed without penalty.
The stroke shall be replayed from as near as possible to the original spot and the player shall proceed as described in Rule 14.6
8. 18TH HOLE “BPGC SIGN” AND SURROUNDS RULE 16 The BPGC sign area is an “Immovable Obstruction” relief may be taken in accordance with rule 16.1 “Immovable Obstruction”
NB If a ball lies WITHIN the sign area, relief MUST be taken in accordance with rule 16.1 “Immoveable Obstruction”
9. STROKEPLAY PRACTICE- RULE 5
Practice on any day of, or, between rounds of a strokeplay competition is permitted within the course boundaries only on the practice to the left of the 3rd Tee, in front of the 6th Tee box and between the 10th and 12th Fairways
10. Preferred Lies – Model Local Rule E-3 (6-inch Rule)
When any part of your ball touches the general area or rough, you may take free relief once by placing the original ball or another ball within 6 inches of its original spot — no nearer the hole.
How to do it:
11. Accumulation of Leaves (Loose Impediments)
At this time of year, fallen leaves can make it hard to find a ball in the general area or rough.
This Local Rule allows free relief when it’s known or virtually certain that your ball is lost in a pile or accumulation of leaves created for removal by the greens team. (This must be agreed by your playing partners.)
Relief procedure:
Front Centre Back
Red Yellow White
A ball is out of bounds when coming to rest completely beyond any boundary wall, fence or hedge as indicated by white stakes or white vertical lines or the area of the Clubhouse, including the approach road, the car park and the area marked by white pinstones on the west side of the Clubhouse including the putting green.
2.CONSTRUCTED PATHS & ARTIFICIAL GRASS-RULE 16
If a ball lies on a constructed path or artificial grassed area, relief MAY be taken in accordance with rule 16.1 “Abnormal Ground Conditions”
3.MOVABLE OBSTRUCTIONS –RULE 15.2
Stones in Bunkers
Rakes and Metal Spikes in or outside bunkers
Fairway Direction Poles
4.IMMOVABLE OBSTRUCTIONS-RULE 16.1
Relief from interference by an immovable obstruction (inc Penalty Area stakes) may be taken under Rule 16.1
5.PENALTY AREAS- RULE 17 (Formerly called Water Hazards)
Penalty Areas are identified by Yellow or red stakes or lines
NB The stakes are part of the area and are immovable objects. No relief can be obtained when a ball lies in a penalty area (see 5 above)
6. GROUND UNDER REPAIR - RULE 16.1
Play is PROHIBITED from any area encircled by white lines and marked GUR
Relief from the area MUST be taken under Rule 16.1 if:-
a ball lies in or is lost in it, or the area interferes with the players stance or intended path of swing
7. OVERHEAD POWER LINES – RULE 14.6
If a ball strikes a powerline, supporting pole or stay, the stroke is cancelled and MUST be replayed without penalty.
The stroke shall be replayed from as near as possible to the original spot and the player shall proceed as described in Rule 14.6
8. 18TH HOLE “BPGC SIGN” AND SURROUNDS RULE 16 The BPGC sign area is an “Immovable Obstruction” relief may be taken in accordance with rule 16.1 “Immovable Obstruction”
NB If a ball lies WITHIN the sign area, relief MUST be taken in accordance with rule 16.1 “Immoveable Obstruction”
9. STROKEPLAY PRACTICE- RULE 5
Practice on any day of, or, between rounds of a strokeplay competition is permitted within the course boundaries only on the practice to the left of the 3rd Tee, in front of the 6th Tee box and between the 10th and 12th Fairways
10. Preferred Lies – Model Local Rule E-3 (6-inch Rule)
When any part of your ball touches the general area or rough, you may take free relief once by placing the original ball or another ball within 6 inches of its original spot — no nearer the hole.
How to do it:
- Mark your original spot (the reference point).
- Place the ball within 6 inches, not nearer the hole.
- Follow Rules 14.2b(2) and 14.2e for placing a ball.
Once you’ve placed and released the ball with the intent for it to be in play, it’s in play.
If you later take relief under another Rule, you can use this Local Rule again.
11. Accumulation of Leaves (Loose Impediments)
At this time of year, fallen leaves can make it hard to find a ball in the general area or rough.
This Local Rule allows free relief when it’s known or virtually certain that your ball is lost in a pile or accumulation of leaves created for removal by the greens team. (This must be agreed by your playing partners.)
Relief procedure:
- You may use another ball or your original one.
- The reference point is where your ball last crossed the edge of the leaf pile.
- Take relief within one club-length of that point, not nearer the hole, and in the same area of the course.
- If your ball is lost in leaves within a penalty area, follow Rule 17 (Penalty Areas).
- If it happens on the putting green, you may replace the ball as near as possible to the estimated spot without penalty.
- Relief for Temporary Water (Rule 16.1) and Embedded Balls (Rule 16.3) still applies as usual.
- 150 yard markers are measured to the CENTRE of the green
- Flag Colour indicates position of hole/flagstick on the green
Front Centre Back
Red Yellow White
