City of Newcastle Golf Club

Local Rules (as at 1st January 2006)

From time to time new local rules are introduced either on a permanent or temporary basis. Existing rules are also sometimes changed. This means that the scorecard is rarely, if ever, up to date. The purpose of this section of the Diary is to set down the up to date position with regard to all local rules as at 1st January 2006 with complete revisions being undertaken on an annual basis. A copy of the fully updated local rules will also be displayed prominently in the clubhouse and locker rooms at all times in a complete form with any changes made during the course of a year highlighted.

The local rules as at 1st January 2006 are as follows:

1. Out of Bounds -
a) A ball finishing over any fence around the perimeter of the course.
b) The greenkeeper compound adjacent to the second green.
c) In or over the burn bordering the course.
d) In or over the ditch beyond the 18th.
e) In the ditch or on or over paved areas around the clubhouse and locker room buildings, excluding path to 1st forward teeing area.
f) In or over the ditch to the left of the 4th hole.

2. Water Hazard (Rule 26). The cross burn at the 1st, 2nd and 18th holes is a water hazard. The bridges, bridge supports, sleeper shoring and supports are part of the hazard.

3. Immovable Obstructions (Rule 24-2). All huts, paths, manhole covers, hose points, sprinkler heads, McDivot stakes and 150 yard markers identified by yellow discs/green posts.

4. Protection of Young Trees. Protection of young trees identified by tree shelters, canes and stakes, if such a tree interferes with the player's stance or the area of his intended swing, the ball must be lifted, without penalty, and dropped in accordance with the procedure prescribed in Rule 24-2b(i) (Immovable Obstruction). The ball may be cleaned when so lifted.

5. Movable Obstructions (Rule 24-1). Stones in bunkers are movable obstructions.

6. Practice during Stroke play. Competitions (Rules 7 and 33 - 2c) Members may use the following areas (which are part of the course) to practice on Stroke play competition days:
(a) The practice putting green.
(b) The practice fairway and green which is situated between the 14th green and 8th tee and which lies adjacent to the 17th fairway and straddles the 15th fairway and tee.
(c) The practice area behind the 17th green.
Practice is NOT allowed in any hazard or on any putting green or other part of the competition course.

7. Temporary Greens. When stand-alone temporary greens have been cut and play is to these greens, the permanent greens are classed as ‘ground under repair play prohibited’. When play is to the permanent greens, the stand-alone temporaries are ‘ground under repair play prohibited’.

8. Preferred Lies. Will operate depending on weather conditions - notices will be displayed. A ball lying on any "closely mown area" through the green may without penalty, be moved or may be lifted, cleaned and placed within 6" of where it originally lay, but not nearer the hole. NB: Closely mown area means any area including paths through the rough, cut to fairway height or less.
 

9. Bunkers Under Repair (Rule 25 lb). Any bunker under repair is deemed "through the green" from which relief may be taken.

10. Integral Parts of the Course. Around the practice putting green area all pillars and chains are integral parts of  the course.

~~~~~