1. Clwb Golff Abersoch
Rules 2019

2. RULES CONTENT 1-4 The basics of the game 5-6
How to play a round and a hole
7-11
Actually playing the ball
12-13
Bunkers and putting greens 14
Lifting a ball and putting it back in to play
15-16
Free relief (eg from abnormal course conditions)
17-19
Penalty relief (eg unplayable ball) 20
Resolving rules issues
21-24
Other forms of play (eg stableford)

3. Defined Areas of the Course
There are five areas of the course. The general area, which covers the entire course except for these four specific areas.
The teeing area of the hole you are playing (Rule 6.2),
All penalty areas (Rule 17),
All bunkers (Rule 12), and
The putting green of the hole you are playing (Rule 13).
It is important to know the area of the course where your ball lies as this affects the Rules that apply in playing your ball or taking relief. 3 3 3 3

5. THERE ARE THREE LEVELS OF PENALTIES THESE ARE:
ONE-STROKEPENALTY THIS APPLIES IN BOTH MATCH PLAY AND STROKE PLAY
UNDER CERTAIN RULES
GENERAL PENALTY (LOSS OF HOLE IN MATCH PLAY, TWO STROKE PENALTY IN STROKE PLAY)
DISQUALIFICATION IN BOTH MATCH PLAY AND STROKE PLAY
THERE IS NO DISCRETION TO VARY PENALTIES AS PROVIDED IN THE RULES
NEITHER THE COMMITTEE NOR THE PLAYER HAS AUTHORITY TO APPLY PENALTIES IN A DIFFERENT WAY

6. Purpose of Rule: Rule 5 covers how to play a round – such as where and when you may practise on the course before or during your round, when your round starts and ends and what happens when play has to stop or resume. You are expected to:
Start each round on time, and
Play continuously and at a prompt pace during each hole until your round is completed.
When it is your turn to play, it is recommended that you make the stroke in no more than 40 seconds, and usually more quickly than that.

7. A PLAYER MUST START AT (AND NOT BEFORE) HIS OR HER STARTING TIME:
WHEN TO START A ROUND
A PLAYER MUST START AT (AND NOT BEFORE) HIS OR HER STARTING TIME:
THIS MEANS A PLAYER MUST BE READY TO PLAY AT THE STARTING TIME AND STARTING POINT
SET BY THE COMMITTEE
A STARTING TIME SET BY THE COMMITTEE IS TREATED AS AN EXACT TIME (FOR EXAMPLE
9am MEANS 9:00:00 am, NOT ANY TIME UNTIL 9.O1 am)
PENALTY FOR BREACH OF RULE 5.3a: DISQUALIFICATION BUT WITH THESE THREE EXCEPTIONS
1 THE PLAYER ARRIVES AT STARTING POINT , READY TO PLAY, NO MORE THAN FIVE MINUTES LATE.
THE PLAYER GETS THE GENERAL PENALTY APPLIED TO HIS/HER FIRST HOLE
2 PLAYER STARTS NO MORE THAN FIVE MINUTES EARLY. THE PLAYER GETS THE GENERAL PENALTY
APPLIED TO HIS/HER FIRST HOLE
3 THE COMMITTEE DECIDES THAT EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES PREVENTED PLAYER FROM
STARTING ON TIME. THERE IS NO BREACH OF THIS RULE AND NO PENALTY

8. The Teeing Area

10. Playing from Outside or Wrong Teeing Area
Rule 6.1b(2) – Stroke Play
Two penalty strokes
Must correct mistake by playing from the correct area
Strokes made prior to correcting error do not count
Failure to correct error = disqualification
Rule 6.1b(1) – Match Play
No penalty
But… opponent may cancel the stroke
Must be done promptly and before either player makes another stroke
Cancellation cannot be withdrawn
WHEN A BALL IN PLAY LIES IN TEEING AREA
If the players ball in play is in the teeing area of the hole being played after a stroke
or after taking relief the player may:
Lift or move the ball without penalty and
Play that ball or another ball from anywhere in the teeing area either from a tee or from the ground

11. Finding & Identifying Your Ball - Rule 7
May take reasonable actions to find & identify the ball.
Lifting a ball to identify it
No need to inform playing partners before lifting a ball to identify it.
Mark it before it is lifted.
Can only clean the ball enough to identify it
Replace it on original spot.
No longer a penalty if a player accidentally moves his ball whilst searching for it. Ball must be replaced.

12. Lifting and Returning a Ball to Play (Rule 14)
Replacing a ball
Mark the ball before lifting if it is to be replaced on its original spot
Use original ball (usually)
If the original spot is not known it must be estimated

13. Lifting and Returning a Ball to Play (Rule 14)
Dropping a ball in taking relief
Use original ball or another ball
Must be dropped straight down from Knee height*
Must be dropped in a relief area and come to rest in the relief area
Must not touch player/equipment before hitting ground
Knee height means the height of the player’s knee when in a standing position

15. Dropping Ball in Relief Area – Rule 14.3
Procedure – 3 criteria:
Player must drop ball
Must be dropped straight down from knee height without touching player or equipment before hitting ground
Must be dropped in relief area
Knee height means the height of the player’s knee when in a standing position
Dropping – How
Player must drop ball in the correct way
Player must let go of the ball from a location at knee height so the ball falls straight down
Cannot throw, spin or roll the ball
Ball must not touch part of the player’s body or equipment before it hits the ground
Knee height means the height of the player’s knee when in a standing position

16. Relief Areas Used when obtaining free or penalty relief
Identify the reference point from which the relief area is measured The relief area;
Is either 1 or 2 club lengths (longest club exc putter) from the reference point depending on the rule
Must not be nearer the hole than the reference point
Must ensure no interference from the condition (when taking free relief)
May have to be in certain defined areas of the course

17. Abnormal Course Conditions – Rule 16
Now include
Animal Holes
GUR
Immovable Obstructions
Temporary Water (casual water)
An animal hole is a hole dug by any animal (except worms & insects)

18. Abnormal Course Conditions - relief for Ball in General Area Rule 16
Drop without penalty
Reference point is the nearest point of complete relief in general area
Relief Area:
Is 1 club length
Must be in the general area
Must not be nearer the hole than the reference point
Provides complete relief
Assume taking relief from some temporary water in the general area of the course so for example on the fairway;
Define nearest point of complete relief; nearest point to ball, that is not nearer the hole and where condition from which you are taking relief does not interfere with the stroke you would have made and is in the required area of the course.
Explain the key bullet points; examples to follow.
Terminology different process is very similar to existing rules.

19. Relief area for Abnormal Course Conditions an example General Area of Course

20. Relief area for Abnormal Course Conditions an example General Area of Course

21. Abnormal Course Conditions - relief for Ball in Bunker Rule 16
Drop without penalty
Nearest point of complete relief must be in bunker
Relief area must be in bunker
Drop under penalty
Drop outside the bunker
Back on the line relief
1 stroke penalty

22. Relief area for Abnormal Course Conditions an example Bunkers

23. Penalty Areas - Rule 17 (replace water hazards)
Any area of water on the course (except temporary water)
Any other part of the course defined by the Committee as a penalty area
Committee may elect to mark all penalty areas red
Player can touch and remove loose impediments
Player can ground a club

24. Penalty Areas relief options – Rule 17
Relief options with 1 shot penalty:
Stroke & Distance relief (see slide 24)
Back on the line relief
Lateral relief red penalty areas only: 2 club length relief area
For a ball in penalty area no relief for abnormal course conditions, embedded ball or unplayable ball. Play ball as it lies or proceed under rule 17.

25. Penalty Areas – Rule 17 Relief Options for Red Penalty Area

26. Out of Bounds & Lost Ball – Rule 18
Only 3 minutes to search for and find a ball
Stroke and Distance relief still applies;
Teeing area: play a ball from anywhere in teeing area and may tee the ball
Putting green: place a ball at point where last played from
All other areas: drop a ball in a 1 club length relief area at point last played from

27. Unplayable Ball- Rule 19 Relief options under 1 shot penalty:
Stroke & Distance
Back on the line; 1 club length relief area
Lateral relief; 2 club length relief area from where ball lay
New additional relief option for bunkers:

28. Unplayable Ball- Rule 19 relief options

29. Unplayable Ball – Rule 19 Additional option for relief in bunker
Back-on-the-line relief outside bunker
Two penalty strokes
When a player’s ball is in a bunker:
The player can take relief under any of the three options but
If dropping back in line, ball must be dropped in bunker
If lateral relief, ball must be dropped in bunker
BUT – as an extra relief option when ball is in bunker, can take the ball back on the line relief outside the bunker for a total penalty of TWO strokes

30. Unplayable Ball Rule 19 Relief options from a bunker

31. Bunkers – Rule 12
May now remove loose impediments (as well as movable obstructions)
Still not allowed to touch the sand to test its condition
Still not allowed to touch the sand with a club;
right in front/behind the ball or
on the backswing for a stroke or
on a practice swing

33. Repair of Damage on Putting Green – Rule 13.1c
Can remove sand and loose soil
Can repair ball marks, spike marks
Can repair old hole plugs, turf plugs
Can repair animal tracks or hoof marks
Can remove embedded objects, e.g. stones, acorns
Improvements Allowed on Putting Green
Sand and loose soil can be removed from putting green (but not elsewhere on the course)
Damage on the putting green can be repaired to restore the green to its original condition
Can use hand or foot, normal ball-mark repair tool, tee, club or similar item to repair the green but not other things
Must not delay play in repairing the damage
Damage on the Putting Green
Explain that damage means any damage cause by a person or outside influence such as:
Ball marks
Spike marks made by shoes
Scrapes and holes made by a player’s equipment or the flagstick
Old hole plugs
Turf plugs
Seams of cut turf
Indents from maintenance tools or vehicles
Animal tracks or hooves
Embedded objects such as stones, acorns or tees

34. Not Damage on Putting Green – Rule 13.1c
Aeration holes and grooves from verti-cutting
Damage resulting from irrigation or rain
Bare or diseased areas
Natural wear of the hole
Not Damage on the Putting Green
Explain damaged does not include:
Normal greenkeeping practises for maintenance – e.g. aeration holes, vertical cutting
Irrigation or rain water
Bare grass areas or uneven growth
Diseased areas
Artificial objects on the green
Natural wear and tear of the hole

35. Ball at rest accidentally moved on putting green
13.1d When Your Ball or Ball-Marker Moves on Putting Green
There is no penalty if you, your opponent or another player in stroke play accidentally move your ball or
ball-marker on the putting green.
You must replace your ball on its original spot (which if not known must be estimated) or place a
ball-marker to mark that original spot.
Exception – Your Ball Must Be Played as It Lies When It Begins to Move During Your Backswing
or Stroke and the Stroke Is Made.
If natural forces cause your ball on the putting green to move, where you must play from
next depends on whether your ball had already been marked and lifted and replaced on its original spot:
Ball already marked, lifted and replaced – Your ball must be replaced on its original spot
(which if not known must be estimated).
Ball not already marked, lifted and replaced – The ball must be played from its new spot.

36. Flagstick–Rule 13 Flagstick may be left in the hole
including for a stroke from on the putting green
Can still remove or have it attended
Must decide before making a stroke
No Penalty if ball hits flagstick in the hole
No Penalty if ball accidentally hits a removed flagstick
Play the ball as it lies

37. No Play Zones Preferred Lies
Relief must be taken from a no Play Zone in a Penalty Area
If your ball is in a penalty area you must take relief under Rule 17.1d or 17.2
If your ball is in the general area and a no play zone interferes with your stance
or swing you must take complete relief and drop the ball in the relief area
Under Rule 16.1f.1 and 16.1b
Preferred Lies
When placing the ball under preferred lies you are only allowed to place
the ball once and if it moves you must play the ball as it lies.

38. Quick Fire Points Accidentally hitting ball more than once: no penalty
Caddie cannot stand behind player from when player begins to take their stance
No penalty if the ball hits the player/caddie/equipment accidentally; play it as it lies (usually)
Relief for embedded ball available in the general area (fairway height or less requirement removed)
Distance Measuring Devices; allowed unless a local rule prohibits them
Interference from wrong green includes stance & swing

39. Embedded Ball – Rule 16.3 Rule 16.3 – Embedded Ball
Ball is only embedded when part of it is below the level of the ground
Must be embedded in its own pitch-mark
Diagram illustrates this

40. Embedded Ball – Rule 16.3 Drop the ball without penalty
Reference point = spot right behind where ball was embedded
One club-length but:
Must be in the general area
Must not be nearer the hole than reference point
Relief procedure for Embedded Ball
Reference point = spot right behind where ball is embedded
Drop ball within one club-length
Relief is permitted in the rough provided ball is embedded (can limit it to just fairway by Local Rule)

41. Diagram illustrates how to take relief
Reference point = spot right behind where ball is embedded
Drop ball within one club-length
Relief now extends to the general area (previously only closely-mown areas)

42. Wrong Green – Rule 13.1f Relief must be taken for lie, swing, stance
Reference point = nearest point of complete relief
One club-length:
In general area
No nearer the hole than reference point
Complete relief
Wrong green
Relief must be taken when the ball lies on the green or it interferes with your swing or stance
Reference point – nearest point of complete relief
Drop within club-length of nearest point of complete relief

43. Pace of Play
No player ever admits to being slow but unfortunately some of us are !!!!!
The Club can introduce a Pace of Play Policy where if certain criteria are not meet
A Player can be penalised for failing to comply to the criteria.
(possibly two strokes, disqualified from competition or banned for the next x competitions)
However it is not the intention to introduce a pace of play policy at the present time.
All players should endeavour if in a fourball no longer than 4hrs 10mins
A threeball no longer than 3hrs 50mins and a two ball under 3hrs 30mins
Those timings should be achievable by all players so if you are not achieving these target times
consider what you might do to speed up for everybody's benefit.

44. 2019 Rule: Rule 5.6 is to encourage prompt pace of play by recommending that:
 Players should recognize that their pace of play affects others and they should play promptly throughout the round (such as by preparing in advance for each stroke and moving promptly between strokes and in going to the next tee),
 A player should make a stroke in no more than 40 seconds (and usually in less time) after the player is able to play without interference or distraction, and this includes on the putting green!
In addition, new Rule 6.4 expressly allows playing out of turn in stroke play, and encourages players to do so in a safe and responsible way to save time or for convenience (also known as “ready golf”)

45. Rules Quiz
Can do the quiz in groups or as individuals – suit to the audience’s preference
Intended to be fun
Questions relate to the information in the presentation so should reinforce what the audience has learnt

46. Hole 1
Your ball is on the 1st green and, to save time, you leave the flagstick in the hole. After putting, your ball strikes the flagstick in the hole and comes to rest a yard from the hole. What is the ruling?
You get two penalty strokes and play the ball as it lies
There is no penalty but you must cancel the stroke and replay the ball
There is no penalty and you play the ball as it lies
Answer C = Rule 13.2a

47. Hole 2
Your tee shot comes to rest in a penalty area. You take two practice swings, touching the ground both times, and ground your club at address. What is the ruling?
There is no penalty
You get two penalty strokes
You get four penalty strokes
Answer A = Rule 17.1b

48. Hole 3
Your ball comes to rest in a difficult lie in a bunker and you decide that it is unplayable. You decide to drop the ball outside the bunker. What is the ruling?
You may measure two club-lengths to the side of the bunker
You may drop the ball back-on-the-line outside the bunker
The ball cannot be dropped outside the bunker
Answer B = Rule 19b
Back on the line relief options involves the player choosing to drop a ball in a relief area that is based on a reference line going straight back from the hole outside the bunker.
Remember – you incur two penalty strokes to do so!

49. Hole 4
On the 4th tee in stroke play, you play your ball from in front of the tee-markers. You correct the error and play another ball, this time from within the teeing area. What is the ruling?
You get two penalty strokes
There is no penalty provided you play from within the teeing area
You are disqualified
Answer A = Rule 6.1b
A player is penalised the general penalty (two strokes) for hitting a ball from outside the teeing area. The stroke played from outside the teeing area does not count in your score

50. Hole 5
Your 3rd shot comes to rest in some high rough. You find a ball but cannot see if it is yours. Without marking it, you lift the ball to identify it and then replace it. What is the ruling?
There is no penalty
You get one penalty stroke
You get the general penalty
Answer B = Rule 7.3
Failing to mark the position of the ball before lifting it results in one penalty stroke

51. Hole 6
Your ball comes to rest in a greenside bunker. In making the backswing for the stroke, you touch a leaf in the bunker with your club. What is the ruling?
There is no penalty
You get one penalty stroke
You get the general penalty
Answer A = Rule 12
Prior to 2019, there was a penalty for touching a loose impediment in a bunker. Now no penalty

52. Hole 7
A spider’s web is closely attached to a tree and interfering with your swing. You remove the web and play your shot onto the green. What is the ruling?
There is no penalty
You get one penalty stroke
You get two penalty strokes
Answer A = Definition of Loose Impediments and Rule 15
A spider web is a loose impediment even though they are attached to another object and may be removed

53. Hole 8
Your 2nd shot comes to rest on the green. When putting, you hit the ball too hard and it rolls off the green into a bunker. You deem your ball unplayable and take relief by placing another ball on the putting green where you putted from and hole the next putt. What is your score for the hole? 4 5 7
Answer B
Two shots onto the green
One putt that rolls off the green
One stroke for declaring the ball unplayable under option 19.2a
One putt that is holed
Total = 5 strokes

54. Hole 9
When playing the 9th hole, your ball lands close to the 1st green. Playing the ball as it lies would result in your feet being on the 1st green. What is the ruling?
You must play the ball as it lies
You must declare the ball unplayable
You must take free relief
Answer C = Rule 13.2f
Relief must be taken from a wrong green. Interference exists for the lie, swing and stance.