RULES THAT CAME UP IN CHAMPIONSHIPS

 Hi Ladies,

During the last few weeks I have been asked questions about the following rules, so here is some clarification for you all.

1. If your ball is in a position where a red penalty area stake is in the way of your swing or stance, you are only able to get a free drop if your ball is outside the penalty area. If your ball is in the penalty area, then you either have to hit the ball where it lies or have to use the penalty area rule and drop out for a penalty of one.

2. If you hit off the 8th tee, your ball goes over the creek in front of the tee and then hits a tree, rock etc and bounces back into the creek, you need to drop on the tee side of the creek. The reason for this is that, even though the ball last crossed the penalty area on the green side of the creek, you cannot drop the ball without being closer to the green than where it last  crossed the penalty area. Just occasionally, this might be possible in this type of situation if the penalty area is at an angle that gives you a chance to drop no closer to the green, as at times on the 3rd fairway.

3. The new trees planted on the right hand side of the 4th fairway, are in the penalty area. This means that, even though they are currently staked trees, you cannot take free relief from them because you are not allowed to take free relief from any immovable obstruction in a penalty area.

4. If you are playing the 3rd hole and your ball finishes on the path next to the 8th tee, so that your nearest point of relief is in the garden, you can't drop in the garden. In this situation, both the path and the garden are GUR so to get relief you must take total relief. This means that you either drop on the side of the 3rd fairway or on the 8th tee, whichever is closer to your total relief.

Good golfing,

Jenny