Here are a few examples of local rules a golf clubs must adopt after a complete analyst of the different situations.
OUT OF BOUNDS
When we have fences or white stakes, we don’t have any problems. But in many cases, we must define the status or the parking, Club house, driving range, etc.
DROP ZONES
A drop zone is an easy way to help players in their different reliefs. We often need a drop zone when we have yellow stakes. If we decide not to put the Club House Out of Bounds, it is a good idea to have a drop zone. Because sometimes the nearest point of relief is not easy to find.
SPRINKLERS NEAR THE GREEN
We see more frequently sprinklers near the greens and many players like to use a putter to play the stroke even if the ball is not on the green. A local rule is necessary in order to obtain a relief for the line of play if neither the stance nor the position of the ball is affected by the sprinkler head.
AERATION HOLES
We are all aware that the greens have aeration holes in the beginning of the season, sometimes until the beginning of June. On the green, if the ball is sitting in an aeration hole, we must play the ball where it lies. A local rule is necessary in order to place the ball outside the hole. The penalty is two strokes if we place and play the ball outside the hole.
PROTECTIVE FENCES (BACKSTOP)
Some fences are installed near tee boxes in order to protect the forward tees from an errant shot. This is an obstruction and free relief is available when the fence interferes whit the stance or the position of the ball. But if we only have interference for the line of play, we need a local rule to obtain a free relief for that line.
100-150 YARDS BUSH MARKERS
A local rule is necessary to obtain a free relief from those bushes. Without a local rule, they have the same status as a tree.
But Golf Quebec covers the flower beds but not those bushes.
NEXT WEEK: COVID-19 AND THE RULES OF GOLF