Rules

1 Rules (general)

[Updated 27 FEB 2022]

We play according to the Royal and Ancient (R&A) Rules of Golf and whatever Local Rules a course may apply, as modified from time to time by our own rules and considerations of appropriate golfing etiquette.

The R&A is world golf’s rules and development body and organiser of The Open Championship. It operates with the consent of more than 130 national and international, amateur and professional organisations, from over 120 countries. The United States Golf Association (USGA) is the game’s governing body in the United States and Mexico.

There are three categories of golfing rules.

• Firstly, there are the 24 official Rules of Golf. The Rules of Golf are those approved by R&A Rules Limited and The United States Golf Association. They are known as the Rules of Golf and are often referred to simply as "the Rules". For clarity in this discussion, we will frequently refer to them as the "R&A Rules” to distinguish them from other rules mentioned.

• Secondly, there are Local Rules which are provided for in the R&A Rules and which golf clubs can choose to implement or not, at their discretion. These are contained as an appendix to the R&A Rules. We call them “Local Rules”.

• Thirdly, there are social club rules that any playing group such as ours might choose to enunciate and adopt. We call our rules “St Leonards Rules”.

St Leonards Rules only apply when you are playing in a St Leonards Social Golf Club competition.

The St Leonards Social Golf Club committee will administer the club and apply all rules in a spirit of fairness and in the interests of all players. The committee may canvass the views of any party when considering a matter.

Without restriction, the committee reserves the right to vary any rule(s) at any time.

The committee’s decisions in all matters will be final.

2 Ball Lost or Out of Bounds

Social golfing groups such as ours must be mindful of sensitivities around slow play. Our aim is to prevent situations where following groups of players are delayed by a player in a St Leonards group whose ball is lost or out of bounds (OB).

We remind players that, where they suspect a ball they just hit may be lost or OB, they should, in keeping with the R&A Rules, hit a provisional ball. We stress that the benefit of any doubt should be in favour of hitting a provisional ball, not the assumption you will find a wayward ball.

However it was a St Leonards Rule that, in particular circumstances, players should take a drop if their ball is lost or has gone OB and a provisional ball had not been hit. The player was not allowed to return to the spot where the ball was hit unless it did not contribute to causing slow play. The drop had to be taken as near as possible to where the ball was lost or went out of bounds. It had to be taken off the fairway. The player incurred a 1 shot penalty.

In order to combat slow play the R&A introduced a Local Rule, applying from 1 January 2019, that said that if the player had not hit a provisional ball, and the ball was lost or OB, the player had to take a drop. As well the rules as to where the drop had to be taken were very complicated.

St Leonards Rule 2.1 If a player’s ball is lost or OB and the player has not hit a provisional ball, the player must take a drop based on the point where the ball was last seen. The point chosen as to where the ball was last seen can be determined using reasonable judgment by the player (R&A Rule 1.3b(2)). The player is allowed to consult with, and take the advice of, the other players in the group.The drop must be taken on the fairway within one club length of the edge of the fairway and no closer to the hole from the point where the ball was last seen. The player incurs a 2 shot penalty. This St Leonards Rule overrides R&A Rule 17.1c (see Section 5.4 Penalty Areas, below).

R&A Rule 18.2a(1)/1 states that the amount of time given to attempt to find a lost ball is 3 minutes.

3 Preferred lies

Taking a preferred lie is an R&A Local Rule that clubs may adopt from time to time, usually when they feel weather and ground conditions warrant. In the US it’s a concession which is described as “Winter Rules”.

It was a St Leonards Rule that the preferred lie Local Rule applied in all our games. We adopted this measure in recognition of the high degree of wear and tear to which many of the courses we play are subject. We were also cognisant of the high degree of wear and tear to which many of the players are subject. The Rule only applied to the mown portion of the fairway. The rule has since been amended.

St Leonards Rule 3.1 Players may take a preferred lie through the green. Players may move their ball to another lie within 30cm (12 inches) of their ball's resting position, in any direction but not closer to the hole.

4 Cleaning the ball

The general rule is that you cannot lift and clean your ball except on the green. However, as with all good golf rules there are exceptions. St Leonards Rule 3.1 allows for preferred lie through the green meaning you can lift your ball to replace it. Thus:–

St Leonards Rule 4.1 A player can lift and clean their ball anywhere through the green with the exception of a bunker or a penalty area. A ball lifted from the putting green may always be cleaned (see R&A Rule 13.1b).

5 Shite Creek

5.1 Up Shite Creek

All of us at some time have found ourselves in a difficult position on the golf course with respect to the lie of the ball and the proverbial paddle is nowhere in sight.

If you find yourself in any of the following circumstances you should consult with your marker. If the marker agrees with what you propose, you just go ahead. If the marker thinks that another course of action is the correct course, then you are supposed to play two balls, one from where you as the player think it should be, and one from where the marker thinks it should be.

Naturally this is likely to slow down play, which we don't want. If you are close to the hole you can do it. If you are a long way out, on a par 4 or 5, the lowest handicapper in the group, other than the player involved, must make a decision and that is what will apply, whether right or wrong. The reasoning is that over time we will get it right.

5.2 Ball in Thick Rough

Under St Leonards Rule 3.1 you can improve your lie but not the area of your intended stance or swing, or your line of play by:

(1) moving, bending or breaking anything fixed or growing, except in fairly taking your stance or making your swing (R&A Rule 8.1a), or
(2) pressing anything down (R&A Rule 8.1a), ie. you cannot tamp down the grass behind the ball with your foot, or club to give yourself a better shot at the ball.

5.3 Dropping the Ball.

R&A Rule 14.3b

The player must drop a ball in the right way, which means all three of these things:
(1) Players Must Drop Ball. The ball must be dropped only by the player. Neither the payer's caddie nor anyone else may do so.

(2) Ball Must Be Dropped Straight Down from Knee Height Without Touching Player or Equipment. The player must let go of the ball from a location at knee height so that the ball:

• falls straight down, without the player throwing, spinning or rolling it or using any other motion that might affect where the ball will come to rest, and
• does not touch any part of the player's body or equipment before it hits the ground.

"Knee height" means the height of the player's knee when in a standing position.

(3) The ball must be dropped in the relief area. You may stand either inside or outside the relief area when dropping your ball.

Diagram 14.3b: Dropping From Knee Height
A ball must be dropped straight down from knee height. "Knee height" means the height of a player's knee when in a standing position. But the player does not have to be in a standing posiiton when the ball is dropped.

5.4 Penalty Areas. Formerly Ball in Water Hazard (yellow stakes) or Lateral Water Hazard (red stakes)

Under the new rules introduced from 1 January 2019 water hazards and other designated areas on the course are now called Penalty Areas. The material below only covers what were formerly Water Hazards.

R&A Rule 17.1 Options for your ball in Penalty Area

Penalty areas are defined by either red or yellow stakes. This affects your relief options (see Rule 17.1d).

You may stand in a penalty area to play a ball outside the penalty area, including after taking relief from the penalty area.

R&A Rule 17.1a

Your ball is in a penalty area when any part of it lies on or touches the ground or anything else inside the edge of the penalty area, or is above the edge or any other part of the penalty area.

R&A Rule 17.1b

You may either play the ball as it lies without penalty or play a ball from outside the penalty area by taking penalty relief.

R&A Rule 17.1c

Relief for Your Ball Not Found but in Penalty Area

If your ball has not been found and it is known or virtually certain that it came to rest in a penalty area you may take penalty relief under this Rule.

But if it is not known or virtually certain that your ball came to rest in a penalty area and the ball is lost, you must take stroke-and-distance relief.

R&A Rule 17.1d

Relief for Your Ball in Penalty Area

You have the relief options shown in Diagram #1 17.1d (relief for yellow penalty area) and Diagram #2 17.1d (relief for red penalty area), each for one penalty stroke.

Diagram #1 17.1d: Relief For Ball In Yellow Penalty Area

When it is known or virtually certain that a ball is in a yellow penalty area and the player wishes to take relief, the player has two options, each for one penalty stroke:

(1) The player may take stroke-and-distance relief by playing the original ball or another ball from a relief area based on where the previous stroke was made (see Rule 14.6 and Diagram 14.6).

Reference Point: The spot where the player's previous stroke was made (which if not known must be estimated).

Size of Relief Area: One club-length from the reference point.

Limits on Relief Area: The relief area must not be nearer the hole than the reference point and must be in the same area of the course as the reference point.

(2) The player may take back-on-the-line relief by dropping the original ball or another ball in a relief area based on a reference line going straight back from the hole through point X.

Reference Point: A point on the course chosen by the player that is on the reference line through point X (the point where the ball last crossed the edge of the yellow penalty area). There is no limit on how far back back on the line the reference point may be.

Size of Relief Area: One club-length from the reference point.

Limits on Relief Area: The relief area must not be nearer the hole than the reference point, and may be in any area of the course except the same penalty area.

Diagram #2 17.1d: Relief For Ball In Red Penalty Area

When it is known or virtually certain that a ball is in a red penalty area and the player wishes to take relief, the player has three options, each for one penalty stroke:

(1) The player may take stroke-and-distance relief (see point (1) in Diagram #1 17.1d).

(2) The player may take back-on-the-line relief (see point (2) in Diagram #1 17.1d).

(3) The player may take lateral relief (red penalty area only). The reference point for taking lateral relief is point X.

Reference Point: The estimated point where the original ball last crossed the edge of the red penalty area (point X)

Size of Relief Area: Two club-lengths from the reference point.

Limits on Relief Area: The relief area must not be nearer the hole than the reference point, and may be in any area of the course except the same penalty area.

5.5 Ball Unplayable (R&A Rule 19)

The player may deem his ball unplayable at any place on the course, except when the ball is in a penalty area. The player is the sole judge as to whether his ball is unplayable. If you believe your ball is unplayable, you may, under penalty of one stroke:

(1) play a ball from where your last shot was played, or
(2) drop a ball any distance behind the point where the ball lay, keeping a straight line between the hole and the point where the ball lay, or
(3) drop a ball within two club-lengths of where the ball lay but not nearer the hole.

Diagram 19.1: Unplayable Ball

Note that if you are well into the bush and you choose option (3) you must drop within two club lengths. If you still have to chip out, such is life.

5.6 Casual Water in Bunker

If your ball comes to rest in casual water in a bunker, you may drop without penalty at the nearest point of relief within the bunker, no nearer the hole. That applies no matter what the condition is of the rest of the bunker.

If the rest of the bunker is dry, great! But even if the entire bunker contains water, the same R&A Rule applies – if you drop, then you must drop within that bunker to avoid penalty. If the bunker is completely filled with water, your only option to improve the situation without penalty, according to the USGA Web site, is this: "… the player may drop the ball in the bunker at a point that provides maximum available relief (ie, in 1 inch of water rather than 5 inches)."

If you choose to drop outside the bunker then you incur a one stroke penalty. The drop must be taken at a point outside the bunker that is in line with where the ball lay and the hole, with no limit as to how far back the drop may be taken.

A player in this position could deem the ball unplayable and subject to R&A Rule 19 – see 5.7 following.

5.7 Ball in the Bunker and R&A Rule 19

If you hit the ball into a bunker, can you invoke R&A Rule 19 (refer to 5.5, above).

As stated above, a golfer can declare any ball unplayable at any time, for any reason and anywhere on the course other than in a penalty area. Under penalty of one stroke the player may then:

(1) play a ball from where their last shot was played, or
(2) drop a ball any distance behind the point where the ball lay, keeping a straight line between the hole and the point where the ball lay, or
(3) drop a ball within two club-lengths of where the ball lay but not nearer the hole.

However, if you declare a ball in a bunker unplayable and use options (2) or (3), you must drop within the bunker.

5.8 R&A Rule 16 — Immovable Obstructions and Abnormal Ground Conditions

An immovable obstruction is an artificial object on the course that cannot be moved (e.g. a building) or cannot readily be moved (e.g. a firmly embedded direction post). Objects defining out of bounds are not treated as obstructions.

An abnormal ground condition is casual water, ground under repair or a hole, cast or runway made by a burrowing animal, a reptile or a bird.

Note 1: abnormal ground conditions do not include tyre tracks unless there is a Local Rule to say so.

Note 2: abnormal ground conditions do not include bare areas with no grass.

Note 3: Paths and tracks are considered artificial constructions and you can take a drop without penalty, unless there is a Local Rule declaring them an "integral part of the course", in which case you must play the ball as it lies. Check the card.

Except when the ball is in a water hazard, relief without penalty is available from immovable obstructions and abnormal ground conditions when the condition physically interferes with the lie of the ball, your stance or your swing. You may lift the ball and drop it within one club-length of the nearest point of relief, but not nearer the hole than the nearest point of relief (see Diagram 16, below).

Diagram 16, illustrating the term “nearest point of relief” in the case of a right-handed player.

5.9 Other Rules and Circumstances

5.9.1 On the putting green, there will be no penalty if a ball played from the putting green hits an unattended flagstick in the hole; players may putt without having the flagstick attended or removed. Players may repair spike marks and other damage made by shoes, animal damage and other damage on the putting green and there is no penalty for merely touching the line of putt.

5.9.2 If you think a ball is yours but can’t see your identification mark, after notifying your marker or opponent, you may mark the position of the ball and lift it to identify it. However, generally, you should not pick up your ball, without reference to your marker, with the exceptions of
(a) on the green, and
(b) under the preferred lie rule (see section 3 above).

5.9.3 What if I think I will damage my club if I hit the ball where it is? Answer: you have no choice but to invoke R&A Rule 19 and declare the ball unplayable. See options under 5.5, above.

5.9.4 R&A Rule 8.1b allows a player to ground the club lightly directly in front of or behind the ball in a Penalty Area or Bunker, even if that improves his or her lie or area of intended swing.

"Ground the club lightly" means allowing the weight of the club to be supported by the grass, soil, sand or other material on or above the ground surface.

5.9.5 St Leonards Rule 5.9.5 — Anti-Doping – The Committee may require, in the conditions of competition, that players comply with an anti-doping policy.

6 The sprinkler head query

Another query is along the lines of: if you are off the green and there is a sprinkler head along the intended line of your ball to the hole, can you move the ball?

Answer: The R&A Rules say NO. However, individual clubs are allowed to introduce a Local Rule that says you can. St Leonards Rule 6.1 allows you to take the nearest point of relief in these circumstances.

7 Match Play Rules

[April 2023 revision actions: • A large section excerpted from the R&A Rules on match play has been eliminated; • remaining paragraphs have been re-ordered so timing of matches is dealt with, followed by a single paragraph on pace, proceeding finally to rules dealing with finding outcomes for matches; • language has been simplified and additional headings added to many paragraphs explaining content.]

7.1 A match consists of one side playing against another over a stipulated round. In match play the game is played by holes. We have two match play competitions, being the Darlington Cup and the Kevin Murphy Plate (formerly the Claytons Plate). Early eliminations from the premier Cup draw can continue to enjoy the match play experience playing out the consolation Plate series.

7.2 St Leonards Rules regarding match play games

7.2.1 An important aspect of the conduct of match play competitions is the timely completion of each stage of the draw. Outcomes progressing players through the competition stages must be determined before subsequent matches can be played. Rules are therefore required to impose deadlines for completion of matches and to determine outcomes of matches in certain circumstances.

7.3 Timing of matchplay games

7.3.1 All matches must be played at scheduled St Leonards rounds unless the Committee decides otherwise. 

7.3.2  A match between players drawn to play each other must be played on the first occasion that both players are present to play a scheduled Club round in the range of rounds spanned by the stage of the competition of which their match is a part.

7.3.3 [Playing earlier than the span of matches covered by a stage] After commencement of the first stage of the match play competition, where the identities of players drawn to play a match become evident through results of preceding matches, players may, by mutual consent, play their match prior to commencement of the stage of which their match is a part.

7.3.4 [Changing date of scheduled Club round] The Committee reserves the right to alter the set dates on occasions on which a Club round is postponed or cancelled.

7.4 St Leonards Rule promoting pace of play

7.4.1 [Pace of Play: hole is halved if both players play more than ten strokes on the hole] In the interests of avoiding slow play, if both players have recorded ten strokes for a hole and neither has sunk their ball, the hole is halved for match play purposes. The cap of ten strokes is imposed to match the maximum number of strokes beyond which any possibility of scoring Stableford points is exhausted.

7.5 Determining the outcome of a match play game

7.5.1 Results are determined according to the R&A rules for match play games. St Leonards rules apply to particular situations that may arise from individual matches because each contest is just part of a draw that depends on the timely conclusion of prior matches in order to proceed.

7.5.2 [Conceding a scheduled Club round during a stage] A player may decline to play a match by conceding to their opponent at any time.

7.5.3 [Neither opponent present] Where a match is not decided by the final scheduled Club round of the stage of the draw of which the match is part, and neither player in a match is present, the winner will be the player that has played more games in the stage of the draw of which their match is part. If both have played the same number of Club games in the relevant match play stage, the winner will be the player that last played a scheduled Club round.

7.5.4 [One player present] Where a match is not decided by the final scheduled Club round of the stage of the draw of which the match is part, and only one player of the two drawn to play the match is present, the winner is the player present for the match.

7.5.5 [Halved match: countback] In the case of a halved match, a winner will be decided on the day by countback.

7.5.6 [Countback procedure to decide the outcome of a halved match] Where a match is halved the winner will be decided by applying the tests set out below in the order in which they appear only until the point at which the measure of one player is found to be superior to the other. The winner of the match will be:
(a) the winner of the greater number of holes of the last nine (9) holes played, or
(b) the winner of the greater number of holes of the last six (6) holes played, or
(c) the winner of the greater number of holes of the last three (3) holes played or
(d) the first winner of a hole in the hole order set out in the match play index applicable to the course at which the match was played.

[Information for players on match play indexes, including the St Leonards standard match play index for use at courses that do not provide a match index on the scorecards, is available on our Scoring page. You can save the image of our index from the website onto your computer or smart phone, should you wish to have a copy for reference.]

8 Resolving ties

(For other than matchplay games.) Where a winner needs to be found from any number of tied scores in any of our competitions (apart from the Bradman award), a count back will be performed. The relevant Stableford scores of the tied competitors will be matched over the back nine, then the last six, then, if necessary, the last 3 holes and finally, hole-by-hole working backwards from the 18th, in that order, to the point at which one player is found to have a better (ie, higher) Stableford score over the holes examined than the other tied player(s).

Our protocol for resolving ties in our Bradman novelty competition is to follow the same countback procedures set out above with the difference that the recipient of the award will be the player with the worst (ie, lowest) Stableford score.