SMGS Local Rules

Please enjoy your day, respect fellow players, and help maintain a friendly pace of play.

It is a priority to have good communication with your playing partners for any matter which you are unsure of.  These rules apply to SMGS competitions only, they may not be the local rules of the course.

Anything underlined in CAPITALS is a link and can be clicked on for more detail.

Rule 13.2c  A ball is treated as holed when it is at rest in the hole and any part of the ball is below the surface of the putting green. There are no “gimmies” in SMGS competitions, everything should be putted. Bounce-outs are considered the rub of the green. 

PICK & PLACE LOCAL RULE E-3 is in place all year unless the Captain or Committee decides otherwise. Players can mark, lift, clean and replace the ball within one scorecard length (no nearer the hole) only when it originally lies in a “closely mown area”. When placing please mark the position of your ball with a tee peg or marker before lifting to clean. You may replace the ball within one scorecard length of the marker, no nearer the hole. ”Closely mown area” means any part of the golf course that is mowed to fairway height. Therefore, it does not include any rough or putting greens, but may include aprons around the greens or paths mowed through rough. If there is any doubt consult a fellow player or play the ball as it lies. Penalty for improper pick and place +2 strokes.

Model Local Rule E-5 (Alternative to Stroke and Distance for Lost Ball or Ball Out of Bounds)  

When a ball is lost outside a penalty area or virtually certain to be Out of Bounds (OB), a player  may, for a penalty of 2 strokes, opt to replay the shot under penalty of stroke and distance, OR ( to save time) may drop a ball in a Relief Area. A ball is considered to be lost if not found within 3 minutes.

2 Reference Points define this Relief Area: 

1. The Ball Reference Point is the location where the ball is considered to be lost, or where the ball last crossed the boundary of the OB. 

2. Fairway Reference Point is the nearest edge of the fairway of the hole being played that is not nearer the hole. These 2 points should be agreed with their playing partners.

The Relief area is an area which extends 2 club lengths outside both reference points and backwards as far as desired on-line with the flag.

IMPORTANT RULES OF GOLF

The R&A RULES apply at all times when playing with the society. WE EXPECT MEMBERS AND GUESTS TO HAVE A GOOD UNDERSTANDING – if you are ever in doubt of anything, ask your playing partner.

RULING:  If a player has any doubts as to a ruling during play, then he/she should inform their fellow players and proceed to play 2 balls and approach the committee for a ruling at the end of the round. By Local Rule, this procedure is also permitted in SMGS matchplay league game.

IMMOVABLE OBSTRUCTION: (Rule 16.1) Immovable obstructions include all roads, paths, drain grilles, sprinkler heads, permanent buildings and walls, steps, well pumps and any exposed or protruding parts of underground pump systems.

Free relief is available when:

* a ball lies in or on an immovable obstruction, or

* the obstruction interferes with the player’s stance or intended swing.

The player must determine the nearest point of complete relief and drop the ball within one club-length of that point, no nearer the hole.

Relief may result in the ball being dropped in rough or another area of the course and does not guarantee a preferred lie or placement on fairway grass.

Out of bounds walls and fences are not immovable obstructions and relief is not available from them.

UNPLAYABLE BALL:  (Rule 19) Except when a ball is in a penalty area, a player may declare their ball unplayable anywhere on the course.

For one penalty stroke, the player may choose one of the following relief options:

1.   Stroke and distance relief by replaying from the previous spot;

2.   Back-on-the-line relief; or

3.   Lateral relief within two club-lengths of the original spot, no nearer the hole.

When a ball is in a bunker, these relief options normally require the ball to remain in the bunker. A player may take back-on-the-line relief outside the bunker for one additional penalty stroke.

EMBEDDED BALL:  (Rule 16.3) A player may take free relief when a ball is embedded in its own pitch mark in the general area. The ball may be lifted, cleaned and dropped in a relief area within one club-length of the spot directly behind where the ball was embedded, not nearer the hole.  Relief is not allowed when:

* the ball is embedded in sand in a part of the general area not cut to fairway height or less, or

* interference by anything other than the embedded lie makes the stroke clearly unreasonable (for example, when the ball lies in a bush).

Relief is only available for the ball’s original embedded position. If there is doubt about the correct procedure, players should proceed under Rule 20.1c.

ON THE PUTTING GREEN: Players may repair damage on the putting green at any time, including pitch marks, old hole plugs, shoe damage and scrapes or indentations caused by equipment or flagsticks. Damage should be repaired by the player, and care should be taken not to cause further damage to the putting surface. 

There is no penalty if a player, opponent or another player in stroke play accidentally causes a ball or ball-marker on the putting green to move. The ball or ball-marker must be replaced on its original spot, which if not known must be estimated (see Rule 14.2).

If a ball played from the putting green accidentally hits another ball at rest on the putting green, the player receives the general penalty in stroke play (two strokes). There is no penalty in match play.

There is no penalty if a ball chipped or played from off the putting green accidentally hits a ball or ball-marker on the putting green, whether in stroke play or match play.

Competition day Expectations

TIMING, MOBILE PHONES AND ALCOHOL:  You are expected to register your attendance at the golf course at least 45 minsbefore your tee time – the person taking the cash would also like to get out and practice prior to their round.  Please be on the 1st tee at least 10 mins before your tee time. Before reporting to the 1st tee all players should ensure their mobile devices are in "silent" mode. Their use on the course should be limited to emergencies and/or extenuating circumstances and thought should always be given to playing partners. Alcohol consumption should also be very limited, some courses are now banning alcohol consumption on the course.

PROMPT PACE OF PLAY: Players are expected to keep up with the group in front and be ready to play when it is their turn. To help maintain a good pace, prepare for your shot in advance, move promptly between shots and tees, and limit time taken over each stroke. Players are encouraged to play “ready golf” in stroke play where it is safe to do so, and in match play players may agree to play out of turn to save time (Rule 6.4). You are playing behind the group in front, NOT in front of the group behind - PLEASE KEEP UP BEHIND THEM.

BUGGIES & TROLLEYS: Please follow all course rules regarding buggy use and observe any restricted or roped-off areas. Keep buggies well away from tees, greens and surrounds, and avoid unnecessary damage to fairways or wet ground. Trolleys and bags should be left clear of greens, bunkers and walk-off areas to assist pace of play and course care.

LATE CANCELLATION:  If you unexpectedly cannot play and need to cancel, please telephone the number on the website start sheet ASAP.  If a cost is incurred by the Society due to a late cancellation, this will be passed onto the cancelling member.

NO SHOW:  Members who have booked in and fail to turn up without informing anyone on committee will be liable for a small fine (up to a full green fee) to be paid before his/her next game. Persistent no shows may be barred from access to the booking system for a stipulated period, by Committee decision.  A draft start sheet is sent out on a Friday afternoon and the final start sheet is sent out on a Tuesday afternoon. 

PRESENTATION:  Members are expected to stay for the presentation after the game, if you cannot stay please extend your apology to the Captain or Secretary. Failure to do so could likely jeopardise any prizes which you may have won.

Thank you.