Rules Of Golf

Rules Explanation Videos

Rules Explanation Documents

Click here to view the latest rules document 20/7/09.

Click here to view the latest Rules document 8/5/09

 Click here to view the Rules document 24-02-09

 Click here to view a pictorial explanation of Golf Course Etiquette 24-02-09

Click here to view the beginner rules document

Do you have a rules question? Please click here to e-mail the question to our Match Committe and we will post the question and answr on the website below.

Questions from the Members

Question: If your ball lands in a bunker, which has casual water in it and the ball is submerged, can you place the ball in the bunker at the nearest point of relief, no closer to the hole or must you drop the ball in the bunker at the nearest point of relief, no closer to the hole?

Answer: Under Rule 25 (b) a player may take relief from casual water in a bunker by dropping the ball without penalty at the nearest point of relief in the bunker, no closer to the hole. If complete relief is impossible, at a point as near as possible to where the ball lay in the bunker on a part of the bunker that affords maximum available relief. This means the ball may still lie in water after relief is taken, but the water is shallower.

A player can also take relief from casual water in a bunker with a penalty of one stroke by dropping the ball outside the bunker keeping the point where the ball originally lay directly between the hole and the spot on which the ball is dropped. There is no limit to how far behind the bunker the ball may be dropped.

The Rule is very specific that the ball must be dropped, not placed.  It is rub of the green if the ball sits deeper in the sand after relief is taken.

 

Question: 4th Hole -If a ball lies on the creek rock base, under or near the pedestrian bridge on the 4th Fairway, is relief available.  Also, if the ball lies on the creek rock base but is also touching the side retaining wall, is relief available.

Answer: The rock base to the culvert on the 4th hole is an immovable obstruction as it is constructed of stones and concrete and as such has an artificial surface. If a ball lies on the base, the player gets free relief. He should find the nearest point to the ball where he has no interference to his stance or swing from the rock base. He can then drop his ball within one club length of this point. If the ball lies on the base and touches the wall, free relief is also available. Stone retaining walls are also immovable obstructions under the Local Rules at Roseville. The player should take relief as described above.




QUESTION: If a player has his/her ball "marked" on the green by another player (while he/she is raking a bunker, and another player is available to putt), who should replace the ball and remove the marker:  the player whose ball was marked or the person who marked the ball?  Which R&A Rule applies here?

ANSWER: Under Rule 20, a ball may be lifted by the player, his partner or another person authorised by the player. Rule 20-3 further states that if a ball is to be replaced, the player, his partner or the person who lifted or moved it must place it on the spot from which it was lifted or moved. In any such case, the player is responsible for any breach of the Rules.