Local Rules 2024

Please find below our local rules for the golf course.

PREFERRED LIES ARE IN EFFECT AT OUR COURSE. Please click here for further details regarding this, and examples of different situations you may come across whilst out on the course from Wiltshire Golf. 

OUT OF BOUNDS (Rule 18)

A ball is out of bounds when:

• It is beyond the line between the course-side points at ground level of the white boundary posts or lines
• It is beyond any hedge, ditch or fence forming the boundary of the course
• It is on or beyond the Entrance Road, Clubhouse Car Park, Putting Green Practice Area, or Driving Range

Note: The Driving Range outfield is Out of Bounds and for safety, players are strictly forbidden to enter this area

ABNORMAL COURSE CONDITIONS , including Immovable Obstructions (Rule 16)

Rule 16.1

During play of holes 1-9 any ground with significant accumulations of leaves in the general area or in a bunker is treated as ground under repair from which free relief is allowed under rule 16.1

A player may take free relief from a ball not found when it is “known or virtually certain” it came to rest in or on an “abnormal course condition.” If that’s the case, and you either saw the ball enter the leaves or are virtually certain it did, then you are entitled to a free drop by finding the nearest point of complete relief and dropping within one club-length, no closer to the hole.

(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.