Hi Members

Golf operations are instigating a regular segment to our Portal regarding rules and especially situations that are local to our course. This hopefully will benefit both new members especially and refresh all members as to how to play our wonderful game.

The first item I would like to cover is BRIDGES over penalty areas.(PA’s)

We have a number of bridges over P.A’s including the 7th and 10th and 16th. These bridges are IN the penalty area as the PA extends vertically upwards and downwards. The PA is defined by red (or yellow) stakes that run continuously along the PA. The bridges are not closed off from these stakes and are therefore in the PA. You may play the ball from the bridge or take a penalty drop outside the PA. Any pathway running up to the bridge that is not inside the PA is classed as an immovable obstruction and a free drop is allowed. 

Where to drop from Penalty areas:

There is a difference in relief available from PA’s depending on whether your ball entered between red stakes (or lines) or yellow stakes (or lines).

Yellow PA. You have 3 options.

a. Play it as it lies (in the PA ) with no penalty

b. Return to where last shot was played (stroke & distance) with one penalty stroke

c. Establish a line between where the ball entered the PA and the flag of the hole being played, and then drop on that line as far back as you want with one penalty stroke.

Red PA gives another option beside the above 3.

d. You may drop within 2 club lengths of where your ball entered the PA and not nearer the hole. But you must drop on the side of the PA where the ball entered (changed in 2019).

e. If a drop zone is provided you may use this for both yellow and red penalty areas and add one penalty stroke

Hopefully this clarifies a few things and next edition we will discuss among other things our spoon drains and where to drop. If any member has any queries regarding rules then Tony (Green) or I are more than happy to help. My email is gempark1@bigpond.net.au .

Paul Barlow (golf Ops and state rules official)

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