D-1 Clarifying Edge of Putting Green
Purpose. At some courses, the areas around putting greens are maintained in such a manner that it may be difficult for a player to determine if his or her ball is on the putting green. In cases like this the Committee can choose to mark the edges of putting greens with painted dots.
Model Local Rule D-1
“The edges of putting greens are defined by [insert colour] dots. The dots are [on][off] the putting green and free relief is not available from them.”
D-2 Status of Putting Green When Temporary Putting Green Is Used
Purpose. There may be times when a putting green for a hole cannot be used for some reason, for example due to bad weather, or for reasons related to repair or maintenance. When this is the case, the Committee may wish to prepare a temporary putting green and put a Local Rule in place to define this as the putting green in play for that hole. The putting green that has been replaced by a temporary putting green should be defined as a wrong green so that players are not permitted to play from it.
Model Local Rule D-2
“Temporary putting greens are in play on holes [insert hole numbers] as defined by [insert description, for example, the areas of fairway surrounded by white lines]. Any putting green that has been replaced by a temporary putting green is a wrong green and free relief for interference must be taken under Rule 13.1f.
Penalty for Playing Ball from a Wrong Place in Breach of Local Rule: General Penalty Under Rule 14.7a.”
D-3 Prohibiting Relief from Wrong Green When Only Stance Interference Exists
Purpose. There may be situations where a Committee wishes to deny a player relief from a wrong green when the only interference is to the player’s stance, for example:
- There is thick rough close to some putting greens and the Committee considers that it would be unfair to require a player to take relief into such areas, or
- One large green is used as the putting green for two separate holes, but the Committee decides to divide the green. It may also choose not to require a player whose ball is on the putting green for the hole being played to take relief when his or her stance is on the other putting green.
Model Local Rule D-3.1
“Rule 13.1f is modified in this way:
Interference does not exist if a wrong green only interferes with the player’s stance.”
Model Local Rule D-3.2
“Rule 13.1f is modified in this way:
When a player’s ball lies on the putting green of [specify hole number], interference does not exist for the player’s stance on the putting green of [specify hole number] or the reverse.
Penalty for Playing Ball from a Wrong Place in Breach of Local Rule: General Penalty Under Rule 14.7a.”
D-4 Prohibiting Play from Fringe of Wrong Green
Purpose. If balls played on a particular hole often come to rest on the green of a nearby hole:
- The nearest point of complete relief when taking relief from that wrong green under Rule 13.1f will usually be on the fairway next to that green, and
- That apron or fringe may become damaged as a result.
To prevent such damage, the Committee can choose to require players to take relief under Rule 13.1f by reference to a modified nearest point of complete relief that avoids interference with both the wrong green and the apron or fringe or by using a dropping zone (see Model Local Rule E-1).
Model Local Rule D-4
“When playing [specify hole number], if the player must take relief under Rule 13.1f because his or her ball came to rest on the putting green of [specify hole number] or that putting green interferes with his or her stance or area of intended swing:
- In finding the relief area to be used when taking this relief, the putting green of [specify hole number] is defined to include the area of fairway within [specify distance such as two club-lengths] from the edge of the putting green.
- This means that the nearest point of complete relief must avoid interference from this area in addition to the putting green.
Penalty for Playing Ball from a Wrong Place in Breach of Local Rule: General Penalty Under Rule 14.7a.”
D-5 Status of Practice Putting Green or Temporary Putting Green
Purpose. Wrong greens include practice greens for putting or pitching, but the Committee may choose to allow play from them by Local Rule (meaning that a player whose ball lies on such a green must play it from there). A temporary putting green for a hole is typically part of the general area when it is not in use, but the Committee may wish to clarify its status or declare it to be a wrong green. The Committee may also define a practice green or temporary green to be ground under repair which would allow a player to take free relief under Rule 16.1b.
Model Local Rule D-5.1
“The practice green located [insert details of where the green is located] is not a wrong green and free relief is not required or permitted under Rule 13.1f.”
Model Local Rule D-5.2
“The temporary green located [insert details of where the green is located] is a wrong green even when not in use and relief must be taken under Rule 13.1f.”
Model Local Rule D-5.3
“The practice green located [insert details of where the green is located] is not a wrong green and free relief is not required to be taken under Rule 13.1f, but it is ground under repair and a player may take free relief under Rule 16.1b.”
D-6 Dividing a Double Green into Two Separate Greens
Purpose. When a course has a green that serves as the putting green for two holes, the Committee may wish to divide the green into two separate greens through a Local Rule. This would require a player who is on the wrong portion of the green to take relief under Rule 13.1f. The method of defining the separation should be specified. This Local Rule may be used in conjunction with Model Local Rule D-3 for cases where the player’s ball is on the correct portion of the green but his or her stance is on the other portion of the green.
Model Local Rule D-6
“The green serving holes [specify hole numbers] is considered to be two separate greens divided by [specify method such as coloured stakes]. A player who has interference with the portion of the green for the hole not being played is on a wrong green and must take relief under Rule 13.1f.
Penalty for Playing Ball from a Wrong Place in Breach of Local Rule: General Penalty Under Rule 14.7a.”