Long Form of Local Rules – Willow Course

1. Out of Bounds and Course Boundaries (Rule 18.2 applies)

a) Out of bounds is defined by any line of white stakes marking or denoting boundaries of the course. (Model Local Rule A-1). Where both stakes and lines are in existence, the line defines the boundary. Out of bounds is also defined by the course-side edge of any fences or walls bordering the course. (Model Local Rule A-2.1)

b) The boundary to the right of the putting green on Hole 2 is defined by the course-side edge of the wall. (Model Local Rule A-1)

c) The boundary to the right of the first section of Hole 3, up to and beyond the yellow penalty area on Hole 3, is defined by the white stakes which are course-side of the stream, and the continuation of that line of white stakes beyond the yellow penalty area. (Model Local Rule A-1)

d) The boundary to the left of Hole 11 is defined by the course-side edge of the wall, the fence and the white stakes which border the Pine Valley Course. Where both wall and fence are in existence, the fence defines the boundary. (Model Local Rule A-1)

A ball coming to rest on or beyond the public footpath beyond the putting green on Hole 11 is out of bounds, even if it comes to rest on another part of the course that is in bounds for other holes. This area of out of bounds extends from the white stakes which border the Pine Valley Course to the Halfway House. (Model Local Rule A-5)

e) The boundary to the left of Hole 12 is defined by the white stakes and the fence which border the Pine Valley Course. (Model Local Rule A-1). The red penalty area on the left of Hole 12 *extends to and coincides with the out of bounds edge. (Model Local Rule B-1)

f) The boundary to the left of *Hole 17 is defined by the outside edge of the path which runs along the length of the hole. (Model Local Rule A-1)

g) During play of Hole 18, the area defined by white stakes to the left of the yellow penalty area on the left of the hole is out of bounds. This area of out of bounds extends from the white stakes to the bridge and includes the path which runs from the bridge to the public footpath. (Model Local Rule A-4).

A ball coming to rest on or beyond the public footpath which runs along the left of Hole 18 and beyond the putting green on Hole 18 is out of bounds, even if it comes to rest on another part of the course that is in bounds for other holes. This area of out of bounds starts where the white stakes meet the public footpath to the left of the yellow penalty area. (Model Local Rule A-5).

The boundary to the right of Hole 18 is defined by white stakes where there is a border with the Pine Valley Course. (Model Local Rule A-1).

The area of shrubs and bushes on the left beyond the putting green is out of bounds. The boundary is defined by white stakes and by the course-side edge of the stone wall (Model Local Rule A-1).

2. Penalty Areas (Rule 17 applies)

a) All areas marked by yellow or red stakes are Penalty Areas. Where both stakes and lines are in existence, the line defines the edge of the penalty Area. (Model Local Rule B-1)

b) On Hole 2, the stone bridge and the area that projects into the water around the willow tree are inside the Penalty Area. (Model Local Rule B-1)

c) During play of Hole 3, the red Penalty Area on the left of Hole 3 beyond the bridge defined on only one side extends to infinity (Model Local Rule B-1)

d) Local Rule for Ball in Water on Hole 12 (Model Local Rule B-3)

If a player does not know whether his or her ball is in the Penalty Area to the right of the putting green on Hole 12, the player may play a provisional ball under Rule 18.3, which is modified in this way:

In playing the provisional ball, the player may use the stroke-and-distance relief option (see Rule 17.1d(1)), or the back-on-the-line relief option (see Rule 17.1d(2))

Once the player has played a provisional ball under this Rule, he or she may not use any further options under Rule 17.1 in relation to the original ball.

In deciding whether that provisional ball becomes the player’s ball in play or if it must or may be abandoned, Rule 18.3c(2) and 18.3c(3) apply except that:

• When Original Ball Is Found in Penalty Area Within Three-Minute Search Time. The player may choose either to:
o Continue to play the original ball as it lies in the penalty area in which case the provisional ball must not be played. All strokes with that provisional ball before it was abandoned (including strokes made and any penalty strokes solely from playing that ball) do not count, or
o Continue to play the provisional ball in which case the original ball must not be played. 1 penalty stroke
• When Original Ball Is Not Found Within Three-Minute Search Time or Is Known or Virtually Certain to Be in Penalty Area. The provisional ball becomes the player’s ball in play. 1 penalty stroke
• When Original Ball Is Found in the General Area. The player continues to play the original ball as it lies. All strokes with that provisional ball before it was abandoned (including strokes made and any penalty strokes solely from playing that ball) do not count

This Local Rule applies only for shots to the green on Hole 12, where the player is unsure whether the ball has carried across the Penalty Area or hit the bank to the right of the Putting Green and bounced back into the Penalty Area.

Penalty for breach of Local Rule: General Penalty

e) Local Rule for Ball in Water on Hole 18 *(Model Local Rule B-3)

If a player does not know whether his or her ball is in the Penalty Area beyond the bridge in front of and to the right of the putting green on *Hole 18, the player may play a provisional ball under Rule 18.3, which is modified in this way:

In playing the provisional ball, the player may use the stroke-and-distance relief option (see Rule 17.1d(1)) or the back-on-the-line relief option (see Rule 17.1d(2))

Once the player has played a provisional ball under this Rule, he or she may not use any further options under Rule 17.1 in relation to the original ball.

In deciding whether that provisional ball becomes the player’s ball in play or if it must or may be abandoned, Rule 18.3c(2) and 18.3c(3) apply except that:

• When Original Ball Is Found in Penalty Area Within Three-Minute Search Time. The player may choose either to:
o Continue to play the original ball as it lies in the penalty area in which case the provisional ball must not be played. All strokes with that provisional ball before it was abandoned (including strokes made and any penalty strokes solely from playing that ball) do not count, or
o Continue to play the provisional ball in which case the original ball must not be played. 1 penalty stroke
• When Original Ball Is Not Found Within Three-Minute Search Time or Is Known or Virtually Certain to Be in Penalty Area. The provisional ball becomes the player’s ball in play. 1 penalty stroke
• When Original Ball Is Found in the General Area. The player continues to play the original ball as it lies. All strokes with that provisional ball before it was abandoned (including strokes made and any penalty strokes solely from playing that ball) do not count

This Local Rule applies only for shots to the green on Hole 18, where the player is unsure whether the ball has carried across the Penalty Area or hit the bank in front and to the right of the Putting Green and bounced back into the Penalty Area.

Penalty for breach of Local Rule: General Penalty

3. Special or Required Relief Procedures *

a) Local Rule for Dropping Zone on *Hole 14 (Model Local Rule E-1.1)

If a ball is in the penalty area on Hole 14, including when it is known or virtually certain that a ball that has not been found came to rest in the penalty area, the player has these relief options, each for one penalty stroke:
• Take relief under Rule 17.1, or
• As an extra option, drop the original ball or another ball in the dropping zone located on the approach to the putting green on Hole 14, adding one penalty stroke. The dropping zone is defined as the area which is within one club-length of the “Drop Zone” sign. The ball must be dropped in and come to rest in the dropping zone. The dropping zone is a relief area under Rule 14.3

Penalty for playing ball from a wrong place in breach of Local Rule: General Penalty under Rule 14.7a


b) Local Rule for Overhead Wires (Model Local Rule E-11 (modified))

If it is known or virtually certain that a player’s ball hit a power line or pylon or pole supporting a power line during the play of holes 12, 13, 14 and 17, the player must replay the stroke by playing the original ball or another ball from the spot where that stroke was made (see Rule 14.6).

If the player replays the stroke but does so from a wrong place, they get the General Penalty under Rule 14.7. If the player does not replay the stroke, they get the General Penalty and the stroke counts, but the player has not played from the wrong place.

Exception - The pylon on the left side of the 17th hole is out of bounds. The Overhead Wires Local Rule does not apply if the ball hits the pylon on the left side of the 17th hole, even if the ball, having struck the pylon, comes to rest in bounds. If the ball strikes the pylon on the left of Hole 17, the ball must be played as it lies if it comes to rest in bounds, or Rule 18.2 must be applied if it comes to rest out of bounds.

4. Abnormal Course Conditions and Integral Objects (Rule 16.1 applies)

a) Ground Under Repair is defined by any area encircled by a white line, which may be labelled GUR, from which free relief is allowed under Rule 16.1. (Model Local Rule F-1)

b) Any area defined by a white line, which is labelled NPZ is a No Play Zone that is treated as an Abnormal Course Condition. Relief MUST be taken under Rule 16.1f. (Model Local Rule E-8.1)

c) Relief from sprinkler heads close to the putting green. (Model Local Rule F-5.1). Relief from interference by an immovable obstruction may be taken under Rule 16.1. The player has an extra option to take relief when such immovable obstructions are on or close to the putting green and on the line of play:
Ball in General Area. The player may take relief under Rule 16.1b if an immovable obstruction is:

o On the line of play and is:
 On or within two club-lengths of the putting green, and
 Within two club-lengths of the ball

But complete relief must be taken, which includes both physical and line of play interference.
Exception – No Relief if Line of Play Clearly Unreasonable. There is no relief under this Local Rule if the player chooses a line of play that is clearly unreasonable.

d) The wooden fence structures that help to define the route of the public footpath which crosses the course on holes 3, 4, 5, 7 and 10 are integral objects. Free relief is not allowed. (Model Local Rule F-1)

Penalty for playing ball from a wrong place in breach of Local Rule: General Penalty under Rule 14.7a

When a golf course is rated, playing length and obstacle factors are evaluated, which allows the unique challenges of each golf course to be quantified. Following this thorough evaluation by a qualified rating team, a Course Rating and Slope Rating is issued for each set of tees.

Since Course Rating teams are trained by Authorized Associations, each course’s rating is carried out with consistency and accuracy, which is vital to the integrity of the WHS.A Slope Rating™ is the number which indicates the relative playing difficulty of a course for bogey golfers, compared to scratch golfers.

It is the combination of the Course Rating™ and the Bogey Rating™ that allow us to calculate the Slope Rating™ of a set of tees. Details of Willow Valleys ratings can be found below: