Local Rules

COURSE RISKS – Important Information

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Safety at Cowden 8th

In response to members’ safety concerns we have blocked access to the 18th tee from the gap in the trees at the left of the 17th fairway. There have been a number of near misses as players walk back up the 17th fairway into tee shots coming over the hill.

Players should take their bags down to the 17th green and approach the 18th tee via the path behind the trees. If your playing partners are not aware of this please inform them. Extra signage is now in place at the 17th tee to remind players.

Updates and Clarifications

Paths: If a ball is lying on a path or where a path interferes with a player’s stance or swing rule 24.2 applies. A player MAY take relief within one club length of the nearest point of relief and not nearer the hole. At Muckhart in the absence of clearly defined pathways in places we should treat all black paths and artificial surfaces as immovable obstructions and apply the above rule. If not sure then play the ball as it lies. Please also note that a ball lying on a bridge over a Water Hazard and within the bounds of the yellow posts or lines is classified as being in the hazard and rule 26-1 applies.

Seeded Divots: Golfers are reminded that in 2010 the R&A withdrew the facility for golf clubs to establish a local rule giving relief from seeded divots and the ball must be played as it lies. However we would request that in casual play common sense should prevail and relief should be taken.

Unusual Equipment: Players may use devices that measure or gauge distance only as stated in Rule 14-3. Howver the use of a distance measuring device that is designed to gauge or measure other conditions that might affect a player’s play (eg gradient, wind speed, temperature etc) is NOT permitted, regardless of whether this additional function is used (Decision 14-3/0.5 refers)