Card of The Course & Local Rules

Marlborough Golf Club Local Rules (August 2020)

Out of Bounds

A ball shall be deemed out of bounds when it is:

a) Over any boundary fence.

b) On or over the line of white stakes to the left of the 9th fairway

c) On or over the road or the carpark at the Clubhouse on the 9th hole

d) On or over the road at the 15th hole.

e) Beyond the line of stakes and white line on the tree behind the 15th green

f) On or over the line of white stakes to the right of the 16th hole.  

g) On or over the line of white stakes which separates the course from the practice ground and clubhouse by the 18th fairway.  

It is forbidden to retrieve balls from over an Out of Bounds fence.

2. Winter Tees

The winter tees and an area within one club-length of the mats are to be treated as ground under repair. Relief may be obtained under Rule 16

3. Pathways

All pathways with artificial surfaces shall be treated as immovable obstructions. Relief may be obtained under Rule 16

4. G.U.R

Areas of ground under repair are clearly marked either with white posts for long term G.U.R. or a thin sprayed white line for short term G.U.R. Relief may be obtained under Rule 16 

5. Sprinkler Heads

Sprinkler heads and hydrant covers are immovable obstructions and relief can be obtained under Rule 16. In addition, if such obstruction on or within two club-lengths of the putting green of the hole being played intervenes between a ball and the hole, the player may obtain relief, without penalty. in the following circumstances:  

a) If the ball lies on the putting green, it may be lifted and placed, not nearer the hole, at the nearest point at which intervention by the obstruction is avoided.

b) If the ball lies off the putting green (but not in a hazard) is within two club-lengths of the intervening obstruction may be lifted, cleaned and dropped as in clause (a). 

6. Staked Trees

If any staked young tree interferes with a player's stance or the area of intended swing, the ball MUST be lifted without penalty and dropped in accordance with the procedure described in Rule 16  

7. Distance-Measuring Devices (Rule 4.3)

For all play at Marlborough Golf Club a player may obtain distance information by using a device that measures distance only. If, during a stipulated round, a player uses a distance-measuring device that is designed to gauge or measure other conditions that might affect his play (e.g., gradient, wind speed, temperature, etc.), the player is in breach of Rule 4.3, for which the penalty is disqualification, regardless of whether any such additional function is actually used.

8. 15th Hole - Plantations:

The plantations on the roadside marked with blue stakes are to be considered as GUR. You must take relief without penalty by dropping within one club length of the blue stakes directly sideways from where your ball lies, but no nearer the hole.

If you cannot find your ball and your playing partner agrees it is lost in the plantation, rather than out of bounds, then you must drop from where you agree it would have come to rest, again within one club length of the blue stakes, without penalty.

9. Playing Protocol on 14th Hole and 15th Tee

Do not tee off from the 14th tee until the players in front signal you to do so.

Players already teeing off on the 15th tee have priority.

When on the 15th tee, players waiting to play from the 14th tee have priority.

You must stand to the road-side of the 15th tee and invite players on the 14th to take their tee shots.

10. Temporary Local Rules

a)  Preferred Lies in Bunkers.

Until further notice, preferred lies in bunkers will be permitted under the following provisions:

A player’s ball coming to rest in a bunker, the player may lift and place the ball within 6 inches (15cm) of its resting place, not nearer the hole.
The area cannot be smoothed before placing.
The ball may be cleaned before placing.
The replaced ball must remain within the hazard.
(Please note: This rule is NOT dependant on the condition of the sand and is valid for second and subsequent strokes within the hazard).

b)        Flag Sticks and Hole Inserts  

Flagsticks should not be touched by players (save as referred to below) and must be left in the hole at all times.

The centring of the flagstick is allowed and can also be centred whilst another player putts (this may be desirable in windy conditions when the flagstick is required to be left in the hole and is leaning towards the player making the stroke).  This must be done in a safe manner such as by using a club but must not involve using the hand, even when wearing a glove or using a towel. 

Penalty for touching/removal of the flagstick other than in permitted fashion – One Stroke

Penalty for Breach of Local Rule:

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

Please Note:

The majority of the course is on common land. Extreme care should be taken to ensure member of the public are not put in any danger.  If in doubt do not play until it is safe to do so.