Nottinghamshire Union of Golf Clubs

Local Rules, Terms of Competition, and General Advice

The following Local Rules and Terms of Competition, with any additions or amendments published by the NUGC on the relevant entry form or at the golf course, will apply to all competitions. References to “competitions” are to all NUGC championships and tournaments, other than the Interclub Scratch League and the Interclub Foursomes (to which separate rules apply).

References to the “Committee” are to the committee appointed for the purposes of the relevant competition (two to form a quorum).

The Local Rules below replace any Local Rules published by a host club. Any changes applicable to a competition will be as notified to players before the start of their round. For the full text of any Local Rule reference below, please refer to the Official Guide to the Rules of Golf effective January 2019.

Unless otherwise noted, the penalty for breach of a Local Rule is the General Penalty.

1. Out of Bounds (Rule 18.2)
i) Beyond any wall, fence, hedge or line of white stakes defining the boundary of the course. ii) On or beyond any white line defining the boundary of the course.

2. Penalty Areas (Rule 17)
Red penalty areas are defined by red stakes or red lines. Yellow penalty areas are defined by yellow stakes or yellow lines. When both stakes and lines are used, the edge of the penalty area is defined by the outside edge of the line and the stakes show where the penalty area is. Note: The part of a bridge that crosses a penalty area is in the penalty area.

3. Abnormal Course Conditions, including Immovable Obstructions (Rule 16)
3.1 Ground Under Repair
i) Any area bounded by a white line.
ii) Any area of damaged ground that is considered by a referee to be abnormal.
iii) Seams of cut turf; Model Local Rule F-7 is in effect but interference does not exist if the seam only interferes with the player’s stance.
iv) Stone-filled drainage ditches or channels.

3.2 Immovable Obstructions
i) All artificially surfaced roads and paths on the course, including those covered with wood chips. Individual pieces of woodchip are loose impediments.
ii) White lined areas and the immovable obstruction they tie into are treated as a single abnormal course condition.

4. Immovable Obstructions Close to Putting Greens (e.g. Sprinkler Heads)
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.)

5. Ball Deflected by Power Line
Model Local Rule E-11 is in effect for a ball that hits an overhead power line or cable (the stroke must be cancelled and replayed, see Rule 14.6).

6. Protection of Young Trees
Young trees identified by wrapping, stakes or otherwise protected are no play zones:
a) 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 stance or area of intended swing, the player must take relief under Rule 16.1f.
b) If the ball lies in a penalty area, and interference to the player’s stance or area of intended swing exists from such a tree, the player must take relief either with penalty under Rule 17.1e or with free relief under Rule 17.1e(2).

7. Practice (Rule 5.2)
a) In Stroke Play, Rule 5.2b is modified in this way: A player must not practise on the competition course before or between rounds.
b) In Match Play, Rule 5.2a is modified in this way: A player must not practise on the competition course before or between rounds.
Exception:
All recognised practice areas within the bounds of the course may be used by players for practice on any day of a competition.
Penalty for Breach of Local Rule: see Rule 5.2 – for first breach: General Penalty; for second breach: Disqualification.

8. Caddies
There are no restrictions on the use of caddies, except in all Junior Competitions during which Rule 10.3a is modified in the following way: A player must not have a caddie during the round.
Penalty for Breach of Local Rule: The player gets the General Penalty for each hole during which he or she is helped by a caddie. If the breach happens or continues between two holes, the player gets the General Penalty for the next hole.

9. Transportation
During a round, a player or caddie must not ride on any form of motorized transportation except as authorized or later approved by the Committee.
Penalty for Breach of Local Rule: The player gets the General Penalty for each hole during which there is a breach of this Local Rule. If the breach occurs between the play of two holes, it applies to the next hole.

10. Use of Equipment (Rule 4.3)
Rule 4.3a(4) is modified in this way. During a round, a player must not listen to music on a personal audio or video device. Penalty for breach of Local Rule: see Rule 4.3 – for first breach: General Penalty; for second breach: Disqualification.

11. Suspension of Play (Rule 5.7)
The following signals will be used to suspend and resume play:
i) Immediate stop for imminent danger: one prolonged note of a siren (Play must be discontinued immediately)
ii) Stop for a non-dangerous situation: three consecutive notes of a siren
iii) Resumption of play: two consecutive notes of a siren (Players must then, but not before then, resume play)
Penalty for breach of Local Rule: Disqualification.
Note:
a) Players will be informed by Nottinghamshire Golf Officials when play will resume.
b) Players will be given sufficient time to reach the place where they were on the course before play was suspended.
c) When play is stopped for imminent danger, all practice areas will be immediately closed.

12. Time of starting (Rule 5.3a)
All players in a group must be present and ready to play at the time established by the Committee and should report to the starter at least five minutes before their start time.

13. Standards of Player Conduct (Rule 1.2)
During a competition a player must not misbehave by, for example, swearing, spitting, abusing others, throwing clubs or purposely damaging the golf course, clubhouse or other club property, or act in a manner which otherwise might bring the game into disrepute.
Mobile phones (including pagers and similar devices) may not be used on the course by players or caddies for making/sending or receiving calls or texts except (i) in cases of emergency or (ii) to request the assistance of a referee.
Dress code: The NUGC requires playing members to comply with the dress code of the golf club that the competition is being played at.
First breach of Rule: Warning
Second breach: General Penalty
Subsequent breach or any serious misconduct: Disqualification
In the case of a serious breach of the Rule or where there are repetitive breaches, a player may be barred from entering or playing in NUGC competitions for such period as the NUGC may decide.

14. Returning score card
A player’s score card is deemed officially returned to the Committee when the player has left the recording area.
Note: Players must promptly return their score cards to the recorder.

15. Results; competition closed
Match play: The result of a match is deemed officially announced when it has been recorded by the recorder.
Stroke play: The results of the competition are deemed officially announced and the competition is closed when the trophy is presented to the winner.

16. Committee
Disputes and other matters relating to a competition will be settled by the Committee, whose decision will be final.

17. Referees
Referees are usually available at competitions. They are present to assist players when any dispute or doubt arises during a round and to ensure the Rules are followed. In these circumstances the referee’s decision is final. In the absence of a referee, any dispute or doubtful point on the Rules must be referred to the Committee.

18. Inclement weather
If, in the opinion of the Committee, it becomes impossible to complete a competition in accordance with its Terms of Competition because of adverse weather or other circumstances, the Committee may vary the Terms of Competition to the extent necessary to achieve a result within the time allowable.

General Advice
1. Medical conditions
It is important that any entrant who suffers from a condition which may require urgent medical attention (e.g. asthma, diabetes, epilepsy, heart condition, allergy to bee or wasp stings, etc.) notifies an officer of the NUGC with regard to the steps to be taken in the event of an attack.
2. Loss and theft
Neither the NUGC nor any golf club at which a competition takes place accepts any responsibility for the loss or theft of a player’s golf equipment or personal effects and players are advised to carry adequate insurance cover.