Tiverton GC Local Rules

Tiverton Golf Club – Local Rules

Published  2022

1. OUT OF BOUNDS (Rule 18)

 A ball is out of bounds if it lies:

a. Beyond any hedge, bank, white marker posts or fence forming the boundaries of the course.

b. On or beyond any artificial surface or gardens in the vicinity of the Clubhouse, Professional’s Shop, Greenkeepers’ compound and the car parks.

2. ABNORMAL COURSE CONDITIONS

a. Paths – All artificially surfaced paths on the course are immovable obstructions from which free relief may be taken under Rule 16.1. There is no free relief available from paths without artificial surfaces and general areas of wear.

b. Ground under repair – Any area encircled by a white line. Free relief may be taken under Rule 16.1.

3. STAKED TREES

Young trees identified by stakes are no play zones. If a player’s ball 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.

4. TEMPORARY GREENS

All defined temporary or winter greens, unless in play, are to be treated as wrong greens. The player must take free relief under Rule 13.1f.

5. PRACTICE GROUND

a. The designated area which may be used for practice before stroke play competitions is the area between the 10th and 18th fairways. The practice ground is part of the

General Area.

b. The practice greens should be treated as wrong greens. Free relief must be taken under Rule 13.1f.

c. The practice bunkers located around the practice green between the 10th and 18th fairways are to be treated as ground under repair in the General Area. Free relief may be taken under Rule 16.1b.

6. IMMEDIATE SUSPENSION OF PLAY

a. An immediate suspension of play will be signalled by one prolonged note of the siren.

b. A normal suspension of play will be signalled by three consecutive notes of the siren.

c. In either case, resumption of play will be signalled by two short notes of the siren (Rule 5.7b). 

Tiverton Golf Club Winter Rules

From 1st October 2022, the following local rules are in effect.

Preferred Lies on the Fairway (E-3)

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: 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.
The ball may be cleaned when lifted. (Rule 14.1c)

Cleaning Ball in the General Area (E-2)

When a player’s ball lies in the General Area, which includes the rough, the ball may be lifted, cleaned an replaced without penalty. The player must mark the spot before lifting the ball (see Rule 14.1) and the bal must be replaced on its original spot (see Rule 14.2)

Tyre Tracks (F-4)

Free relief is allowed when the ball is in the General Area and there is interference by a tyre track.
Interference does not exist if the tyre track interferes only with the player’s stance. The nearest point of
complete relief should be identified, and a ball must be dropped in and come to rest in the relief area. (Rule 16.1b)

No Play Zone (E-8)

The area to the right-hand side of the 3rd hole, defined by signs and white lines and including the path, is  No Play Zone that is to be treated as an Abnormal Course Condition. Free relief MUST be taken from interference by the No Play Zone under Rule 16.1f using an Astroturf mat as follows.

When playing the third hole and a ball comes to rest in the No Play Zone the ball must be lifted, placed on and played from an Astroturf mat. The mat must be placed within the Relief Area (within one club length from the nearest point of complete relief) and the ball placed on the mat. The ball may be cleaned when lifted. If a ball when placed rolls off the mat, the player must try to place it a second time. If the ball again does not stay on the mat, the mat must be moved to the nearest spot, not nearer the hole, where the ball will come to rest on the mat when placed. If the player accidentally causes the ball on the mat to move before a stroke is made, there is no penalty, and the ball must be placed again on the mat. If a tee is used to secure the mat to the ground, the ball must not be placed on the tee.

Peter Barnes – Club Secretary - October 2022 

Suspension of Play Due to a Dangerous Situation

When play is suspended by the Committee for a dangerous situation, if the players in a match or group are between the play of two holes, they must not resume play until the Committee has ordered a resumption of play.

If they are in the process of playing a hole, they must discontinue play immediately and not resume play until the Committee has ordered a resumption of play. If a player fails to discontinue play immediately, he is disqualified, unless circumstances warrant waiving the penalty as provided in Rule 5.7b.

The following signals will be used to communicate with players on the course.

Discontinue Play Immediately: One prolonged note of siren.

Discontinue Play: Three consecutive notes of siren, repeated.

Resume Play: Two short notes of siren, repeated.

Note: Players in a competition have the right to stop play if they think that lightning threatens them, even although the Committee may not have authorised it.