Extended Red Penalty Area on 4th Hole - from 6th October
After consultation with Wiltshire Golf Referees, we are extending the existing RED Penalty area behind the 4th Green to include the small pond area to the Left-Hand side of the Green.
The penalty area will be approximately as shown in the pictures below and identified with RED stakes.
The margin of the Penalty area will be defined by the clear change in vegetation and go all the way to the course boundary.
To be able to take Penalty relief under Rule 17.1d from this Penalty area, it must be “Known, or Virtually certain” that your ball is in the marked area. “Virtually Certain” means 95% or more.
The Lateral Relief option (2 club lengths from the point that the ball last crossed that margin) CAN ONLY BE USED IF YOU CAN DROP NO NEARER TO THE HOLE
(see Rule 17.1d(3))
If it is not “Known or Virtually Certain” that you are in this Penalty Area, the ball is LOST and you must take a “Stroke & Distance” penalty.
This will be in place as of Monday 6th October
Local Rule – Relief from Cracks in the Ground (27.08.25)
Please be aware of local rules update. Due to current course conditions, cracks in the ground are now to be treated as ground under repair. What does this mean during your round?
This Local Rule follows Model Local Rule F-8
OUT OF BOUNDS (Rule 18)
A ball is out of bounds when:
Note: The Driving Range outfield is Out of Bounds and for safety, players are strictly forbidden to enter this area
ABNORMAL COURSE CONDITIONS,
(i) Ground Under Repair
(a) Gravel or sunken drainage channels in the General Area
(b) Areas encircled by white lines deemed Ground Under Repair
(ii) Immovable obstructions
(a) All artificially surfaced pathways on the course
Dropping Zone on Hole 9
For a ball at rest on the artificially surfaced area to the right of the 9th Green, within the area defined by BLUE stakes only. As an additional relief option, the player may drop the ball, or another ball in the Dropping Zone (ONE Club-length from the designated stake). The Dropping Zone is a relief area under Rule 14.3
(iii) Immovable Obstructions Close to Putting Green.
In addition to the types of interference described in Rule 16.1a, when a ball lies in the general area, interference also exists if an immovable obstruction is on the player's line of play, is within two club-lengths of the putting green and is within two club-lengths of the ball. Relief may be taken under Rule 16.1b (Exception - There is no relief under this Local Rule if the player chooses a line of play that is clearly unreasonable.)
(iv) No Play Zones
Staked trees - If interference exists with the lie of the ball, the player’s stance or area of intended swing, the player must take relief under rule 16.1.
The road crossing Hole 3 – If a ball is at rest within 2 club-lengths of the road (on the Teeing Area side ONLY), the player must take relief under Rule 16.1. The reference point for this relief will be the nearest point to the ball, 2 club-lengths from the road.
The fenced off area on the left of the 8th fairway near to the green - if the ball lies within this area, or this area interferes with a player’s stance or area of intended swing, the player must take relief under Rule 16.1 (note: players must not enter this area)
PE NALTY AREAS (Rule 17)
Penalty areas are indicated by yellow or red stakes and defined by respective lines when present.
If no line is present, the edge of a penalty area is defined by its natural boundaries (that is, where the ground slopes down to form the depression), or a clear change in vegetation.