DISTANCE MARKERS: to the centre of the Green. Post & Disc; Yellow 150yds. Discs only; Red 100yds, White 200yds,
FLAG POSITIONS: Red Front of Green, Yellow Middle, White Back.

MORPETH GOLF CLUB – LOCAL RULES - 2024

DISTANCE MARKERS: to the centre of the Green. Post & Disc; Yellow 150yds. Discs only; Red 100yds, White 200yds,
FLAG POSITIONS: Flag stick marker indicates pin position. Bottom: front of green, Mid height: middle, Top: back of green.

LOCAL RULES
1. OUT OF BOUNDS - Rule 18.2
A ball at rest is out of bounds only when all of it is outside the boundary edge of the course. Out of bounds edge is defined by
(a) The inside of a line between the course side points at ground level of white stakes or fence posts (except for fencing at exit to the 5th)
(b) beyond boundary hedges
(c) on another part of the course having crossed the Whalton road or the bridle-path dividing the course.
(d) between the practice area and the right-hand side of the 1st hole; the boundary is defined by the course side edge of the white painted line.

2. PENALTY AREAS – Rule 17
Penalty Areas are defined by either red stakes and red lines or yellow stakes and yellow lines.

3. IMMOVABLE OBSTRUCTIONS – Rule16.1
The following are classed as such; - seats, ball washers, bells, tee markers, huts, stopcocks, manhole covers, fencing at exit to the 5th, all artificial paths and roadways within the boundaries of the course (one club length from nearest point of relief).

4. FIXED SPRINKLER HEADS/GULLY POT COVERS
All fixed sprinkler heads and covers over drainage gully pots are Immovable Obstructions and relief from interference by them may be obtained. In addition, if a ball lies off the putting green but not in a hazard and such an obstruction, on or within two club lengths of the putting green and within two club lengths of the ball, intervenes on the line of play between the ball and the hole, the player may take relief under rule 16.1b.

5. TREES. A tree fitted with a plastic tree guard or attached to a stake; if a player’s ball lies anywhere on the course other than in a penalty area and it 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.

6. AERATION HOLES: if a player’s ball lies in or touches an aeration hole.
Ball on Putting Green; the player may take relief under Rule 16.1d.
Ball in General Area; the player may take relief under rule 16.1b. If the ball comes to rest in another aeration hole the player may take relief again under this local rule.

7. DROPPING ZONES.
5th: To the right of the 5th green (including the fenced-off exit area) if a ball comes to rest on the path, the dropping zone behind the green without penalty must be used.

11th & 12th: To the right of the 11th green the area containing the gauze plastic protection up to the path, defined by the white stakes with green tops, is a No Play Zone. Free relief must be taken including when it is known or virtually certain that the ball is within the No Play Zone by dropping the ball or another ball in the dropping zone (3 available) which is nearest to the point of entry into the No Play Zone.
When playing the 12th hole should your ball come to rest on the artificial path just beyond the No Play Zone, a drop without penalty may be taken by dropping a ball in the dropping zone (3 available) which is nearest to the point of entry into the No Play Zone or alternatively the ball may be played as it lies from the path.

18th: When a ball comes to rest under the conifers behind the 18th green and is deemed unplayable an extra relief option is available of using the dropping zone behind the right corner of the green under a penalty of one stroke.


8. GROUND UNDER REPAIR; Rule 16.
GUR is defined by any area encircled by a white line.
Any bunker that has a blue stake placed in it is deemed GUR
Ruts or deep indentations made by green keeping machinery may be treated as GUR.
From 1st November to 31st March, when not in use winter/temporary greens should be considered GUR even when not marked GUR and relief must be taken.


Updated 17 Sept 2024