The Old Course Local Rules

Staked Trees (Rule 16.1)

Staked trees are immovable obstructions, appropriate relief must be taken.

Sprinkler Heads and Grates (Rule 16.1)

All fixed sprinkler heads and grates are immovable obstructions, interference by an immovable obstruction occurs when a ball lies in or on the obstruction, or when the obstruction interferes with the player’s stance or the area of intended swing.

Ground Under Repair (Rule 16.1)

Play is prohibited from areas marked with a white line as “GUR”.

Areas of Damage on the Putting Green caused by Foxes (Rule 16.1)

Areas of damage on the Putting Green caused by foxes are treated as ground under repair from which relief is allowed. [But relief is not allowed if the damage only interferes with the player’s stance].

Aeration Holes Ruling

On the putting green, a ball that comes to rest in or on an aeration hole may be placed at the nearest point not nearer the hole that avoids the indentation.

Out of Bounds (Rule 18.2)

Out of bounds is defined with white posts, any ball that comes to rest on or over the boundary between the 16th of the Old Course and 3rd hole of the Coronation Course, or the 18th hole of the Old Course and the 1st hole of the Coronation Course, shall be deemed out of bounds.

A ball coming to rest on or over the Captain’s Drive when playing the 18th hole of the Old Course or on or over the road at the rear of the 18th green of the Old Course shall be deemed out of bounds.

Paths and Roads

A ball coming to rest on all artificial man-made pathways may be lifted and dropped without penalty within one club-length, not nearer to the hole.

Penalty for Breach of Local Rules

Match Play – Loss of Hole

Stroke Play – Two Stroke Penalty