Local Rules in play as at 20/10/25

Drainage works 7/8/9 

Players affected by the lateral drainage works on holes 7, 8 and 9 are to take relief under Rule 16 (Relief from Abnormal Course Conditions).  Rule 16.1a details when relief is allowed and Rule 16.1b on how to take relief.

LOCAL RULES FOR WINTER (effective 21st October 2025)

E-3 Preferred Lies

When a player's ball lies in a part of the general area cut to fairway height or less, the player may take free relief once, by placing the original ball or another ball in and playing it from this relief area:

• Reference Point: Spot of the original ball.
• Size of Relief Area Measured from Reference Point: the size of relief area is no more than 6 inches from the reference point, but with these limits:
• Limits on Location of Relief Area:
  • Must not be nearer the hole than the reference point, and
    
  • Must be in the general area.

In proceeding under this Local Rule, the player must choose a spot to place the ball and use the procedures for replacing a ball under Rules 14.2b(2) and 14.2e.

Wrong Green

All Temporary Greens when not in use are deemed to be “wrong greens”.  Relief must be taken under Rule 13.1f. 

Any Putting Green that has been replaced by a Temporary Green is a “wrong green” and relief must be taken under Rule 13.1f

Temporary Greens are defined by the radius from the hole cup, using two club lengths as the measure.

E-10 - Protection of Young Trees

As part of our bio-diversity net gain plan, new trees have been planted around the course, notably the 1st and 6th.  The following local rule is in place to help prevent damage to the young trees when a player makes a stroke.

Local Rule E-10.1 - The young trees identified by wooden stakes around the tree are no play zones:

If a player's ball lies anywhere on the course other than in a penalty area and it lies on or touches such a tree or such a tree interferes with the player's area of intended stance or area of intended swing, the player must take relief under  Rule 16.1f.

Penalty for Playing Ball from a Wrong Place in Breach of Local Rule: General Penalty Under  Rule 14.7a.

Scorecard Local Rules

Local Rules

Out of Bounds (Rule 18.2)

1. Beyond all boundary fences and on or over the boundary walls.
2. The practice grounds to the left of the 10th, 14th and 17th holes and the track to the Cottage to the rear of the 18th green and the 11th tee car park, all defined by white stakes.
3. The Greenkeeper’s compound defined by the palisade fence and gate and white stakes.
4. The pathway from the gates by the 18th green, along the practice putting green in front of the Clubhouse to the edge of the hedge as defined by white stakes.

Note: Out of bounds posts, white stakes and fences are all fixed and relief is not permitted under Rule 8.1a

Penalty Areas (Rule 17)

The River Misbourne at the 1st, 18th and the ditch across the 16th are deemed Yellow and Red Penalty Areas, marked accordingly with stakes.  The ponds to the left of the 7th, right of the 8th, the moat around and including the island between the 10th and 11th, the ditch on the right of the 17th and left of the 18th are deemed as Red Penalty Areas.  All other drainage ditches whether defined by stakes or not are deemed as Red Penalty Areas.

Roads and Paths

All roads and paths on the course, even if not artificially-surfaced, are treated as immovable obstructions from which free relief is allowed under Rule 16.1.

No Play Zones in General Area defined as Abnormal Course Condition

1. The young trees identified by stakes are no play zones.  If a player’s ball lies in the general area and is on or touches such a tree or such a tree interferes with the player’s stance or area of intended swing, the player must take relief under Rules 16.1f.
2. Bore Hole to the left of the 1st marked by white stakes with black top on.
3. Practice area to the right of the 18th marked by white stakes with black top on.

Immovable Obstructions close to putting green

Immovable obstructions close to putting green: In addition to the types of interference described in Rule 16.1a, when a ball lies in the general area, interference also exists if an immovable obstruction is: on the player’s line of play, is within two club-lengths of the putting green, and is within two club-lengths of the ball.  The player may take relief under Rule 16.1b. (Exception – There is no relief under this Local Rule if the player chooses a line of play that is clearly unreasonable)

Embedded Ball in soil bunker face

Free relief is not allowed when a ball is embedded in soil faces above bunkers.

Practice Area between 1st/18th and Practice Putting Green

1. Players are not permitted to practice outside the Practice Area as defined by the green topped white stakes before or between rounds in stroke play (Rule 5.2b)
2. Practice Chipping is allowed on to the designated area of putting green from the Clubhouse side of the Misbourne only.
3. The Practice Putting Green is a wrong green and relief must be taken (Rule 13.1f).

Penalty for Breach of Local Rule: General Penalty