Winter Rules 

Temporary local rules as of the 16th of October 2023

Local rules are additional rules that the Greens committee have put into place due to the specific requirements of our course over the winter months. They are designed to promote fair play at Prestonfield Golf Club over a time when weather conditions greatly affect the course and should be observed as well as the general rules of golf as outlined under the R&A.

Get to know your definitions

TEMPORARY WATER

Any temporary accumulation of water on the surface of the ground (such as puddles from rain or irrigation or an overflow from a body of water) that:

• Is not in a penalty area, and
• Can be seen before or after the player takes a stance (without pressing down excessively with his or her feet).
• It is not enough for the ground to be merely wet, muddy or soft or for the water to be momentarily visible as the player steps on the ground; an accumulation of water must remain present either before or after the stance is taken.

Special cases:

• Dew and Frost are not temporary water.
• Snow and Natural Ice (other than frost), are either loose impediments or, when on the ground, temporary water, at the player’s option.
• Manufactured ice is an obstruction.

WRONG GREEN

Any green on the course other than the putting green for the hole the player is playing.

Wrong greens include:

• The greens for all other holes that the player is not playing at the time,
• The normal putting green for a hole where a temporary green is being used, and
• All practice greens for putting, chipping or pitching, unless the Committee excludes them by Local Rule.
• Wrong greens are part of the general area.
• Wrong greens should be deemed as GUR and golfers must take relief under Rule 16-1

What are Preferred lies and what do they mean?

When a player's ball lies in a part of the general area on a closely mown area, the player may take free relief once by placing the original ball or another ball and playing it from this relief area:

When play from grass is not permitted throughout the general area the player having lifted the ball, must place it on an artificial surface designed for the purpose of striking a golf ball

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.

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.

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

Aeration Holes

Model Local Rule E-4

"If a player's ball lies in or touches an aeration hole:

(a) Ball in General Area. The player may take relief under Rule 16.1b.

(b) Ball on Putting Green. The player may take relief  under Rule 16.1d.

But interference does not exist  if the aeration hole only interferes with  the player's stance or, on the putting green, on the pl ayer's line of play.

Ground Under Repair (GUR)

All areas marked as GUR defined by either  stake s, ropes or a white lines is ground under repair from which play is prohibited. If a player’s ball lies in the area, or it interferes with the player’s stance or the area of his intended swing, the player must take relief under Rule 16-1

Miscellaneous Course Damage

All course renovation works, including newly seeded areas, drainage disruption and damage caused by heavy equipment, is ground under repair (GUR), even if not so marked with white lines. If a player’s ball lies in such a condition, or if such condition interferes with the player’s stance or area of intended swing, the player must take relief under Rule 16-1b. The player must lift their ball and drop it without penalty within one club length, of the nearest point of relief, not nearer the hole.

When compulsory, golfers are required to tee from the artificial tee mats and use artificial mats throughout the general area.

The exception of this rule, at the player’s discretion, and only when the ball’s proximity to the green permits a reasonable stroke to be taken with a putter.

Please help protect the course by observing all fenced, hooped, roped and white line restrictions. Buggy and trolley users must respect all restrictions of no-go areas and are asked to keep buggies and trolleys away from tees, greens, green surrounds and if possible, use winter wheels. Please remember that the use of temporary greens or the implementation of other buggy and trolley restrictions are short term measures designed to protect the golf course from damage and to help ensure the health and safety of all golfers and employees. In essence, please do all you can to help protect the course during the winter.

Thank you for your cooperation and safe golfing this winter!

Greens Committee