Local Rules & Useful Information

Local Rules

1.   Out of bounds

a)  Beyond all railings and fences bounding the course, including those white posts enclosing woods and plantations, and the extension through the posts to the left of the 9th green. 

b) The Drainage Ditches adjacent to the woods at the 3rd, 6th, 7th 12th, 15th & 16th holes.
 
c) The Practice Area is out of bounds when playing the 5th & 14th holes.

d) The Practice Green and Flower Beds defined by white posts to the left of the 1st Tee. 

2.   Without penalty

a) Fixed sprinkler heads are immovable obstructions and relief may be obtained in accordance with Rule 24-2. In addition, if such an obstruction is on or within two club lengths of the putting green of the hole being played and intervenes on the line of play between the ball and the hole, relief may be obtained as follows; 

b) Stones in bunkers are movable obstructions (Rule 24-1 applies).

c) Protection of young trees identified by wooden stakes or staked wire surrounds. If such a tree interferes with a players stance or the area of intended swing, the ball must be lifted, without penalty and dropped in accordance with procedure described in Rule 24-2b (Immovable Obstruction).

d) A ball coming to rest anywhere on the pathway around the 8th / 17th Tee may be lifted, cleaned and dropped at the defined dropping zone under Rule 24-2.

e)  The track to the right of the 8th Fairway is an immovable obstruction, relief may be taken under Rule 24-2.

3.  Integral parts of the course  

The hut at the 3rd green The ball must be played as it lies, or be deemed unplayable.

4.   Practice area

The closely mown area between the 5th/14th and 9th/18th fairways is a Practice Ground.

5.   7th & 8th holes (also applies to 16th & 17th)

The 'Elephant Bath' at these holes is a water hazard from which play is prohibited, if a player's ball lies within the area marked by yellow stakes, the player MUST take relief, under penalty of one stroke, in accordance with Rule 26-1. During the play of the 7th / 16th hole, relief must be taken in the marked drop zone.

6.   Winter rules

At any time that winter rules apply, a ball lying on any closely mown area through the green may, without penalty, be marked, lifted, cleaned and replaced within six inches of where it originally lay, but not nearer the hole, in a hazard or on a putting green. A player may place his ball only once and after the ball has been placed it is in play.

When, Alternate Greens are in use, the fringes of these greens are closely mown. Where it is not possible to determine the extent of the closely mown area, it is three club lengths from the edge of the green.

7.   Ground under repair

Relief MUST be taken from area marked Ground Under Repair (GUR) under Rule 25-1b.

Penalty for Breach of Rule

Match Play - Loss of Hole ; Stroke play - Two Strokes

Pace of Play

If a group loses a clear hole from the group playing in front, they should invite the group playing behind to play through, irrespective of the number of players in that group ( including single players ).

Risk Assessment, Paths

• All players should use the paths provided

• Paths can become slippery in winter due to wet or icy conditions, beware of loose surfaces and stones on the paths throughout the year. Care should be taken by players.

• Osborne Golf Club monitor weather conditions and have a winter procedure in place. i.e. salting.

• It is incumbent on players not to play in fog or icy conditions