These ADDITIONAL LOCAL RULES are subject to change so must be considered temporary. They are to be read in conjunction with the Rules of Golf and, in a questionable situation, override permanent LOCAL RULES printed on the scorecard.
15cm PLACING in the ‘GENERAL AREA’ (as defined below)
PACE of PLAY – Please adhere to the ’40-second Rule’ – “A player should make their stroke within 40 seconds when it’s their turn and they can play without interference.” (9 holes should be completed in under 2 hours)
BALL AT REST ON GREEN: If a ball lies at rest in an abnormal surface condition created by maintenance (e.g. weed treatment, aeration) it may be placed at the nearest point of relief no nearer the hole but no “Line of putt” relief (which is available for old hole plugs, alternate holes and any casual water).
WRONG GREEN: A “wrong green” INCLUDES the closely mown fringe around that green – the
ball must be dropped, no penalty strokes, at the nearest point of relief from the green and the
fringe and must be dropped no closer to the correct, target hole being played.
BALL [possibly] LOST “OUT OF BOUNDS” OR “OUTSIDE A PENALTY AREA” :
As an extra option: Do not play a provisional ball – instead, search for the ball and if it is not found within the 3-minute search time limit, under a 2-Stroke Penalty, drop a ball within 2 club lengths, on or behind and no nearer the hole than the line from the estimated point of loss to the closest playable position on your own fairway.
(Taking this option for a ball lost from the tee, playing from the fairway is the 4th stroke)
HOLE #10 – The area marked with ORANGE-topped BLUE pegs is a NO PLAY ZONE (NPZ) within an ABNORMAL COURSE CONDITION (a.k.a. G.U.R.) – it is OUTSIDE the Penalty Area and playing from it is PROHIBITED.
- Playing from within the NPZ incurs the General Penalty (2 strokes / Loss of Hole)
- If a ball struck toward the NPZ is FOUND IN the NPZ, is identified by the owner and can
be safely retrieved, determine the nearest point of relief from interference by the NPZ
and drop the ball, without penalty, within 1 club length of that point. - If the ball is NOT FOUND, it is deemed to be lost in the adjacent Penalty Area, Rule
17.1d relief options apply (replay, back on the line or 2 club lengths lateral). - If the ball is FOUND and identified but cannot be safely retrieved from the NPZ,
substitute and drop a ball, without penalty, within 1 club length of the nearest point
of relief from interference by the NPZ.
TREE STUMPS in the GENERAL AREA , marked or not by Blue lines or stakes, which interfere
with STANCE or SWING may be treated as an Abnormal Course Condition (G.U.R.) – Tree
Stumps in the Line of Play DO NOT qualify as G.U.R.
R&A / USGA DEFINITIONS referenced in these Local Rules:
- The “General Penalty” in Matchplay is Loss of Hole, in Strokeplay it is 2 strokes.
- The “GENERAL AREA” is anywhere on the course EXCEPT:
➢ The teeing area of the hole being played.
➢ ALL Penalty Areas.
➢ ALL Bunkers.
➢ The putting green of the hole being played. - “Own Fairway” is the “closely mown area” between the teeing area and the
green of the hole being played. Closely mown areas on other holes are part of
the GENERAL AREA
COURSE INFORMATION: Be sure to check Notice Boards and Scorecard text for
updates to LOCAL RULES or changes to course conditions which might require your
attention.
Match Committee
Te Marua Golf Club
20th June 2026