Etiquette and Competition Rules

LGC LOCAL RULES (REFERENCE – RULES OF GOLF – 2019)

OUT OF BOUNDS
Beyond, at ground level, (i) the inside points of any line of white stakes with black tops, or (ii) the inside line of any wall or fence defining the boundary of the course.

PREFERRED LIES: If the Conditions of Play stipulate

• preferred lies fairways only and a player’s ball lies in a part of the general area cut to fairway height or less the player may take free relief once by
  marking the ball and placing the ball in the general area within 30cms of the mark not closer to the hole.
• preferred lies through the general area and a player’s ball lies anywhere in the general area the player may take free relief once by marking the ball and placing the ball in the general area within 30cms of the mark not closer to the hole.

GROUND UNDER REPAIR
Includes areas encircled by white paint lines or white stakes.

EMBEDDED BALLS
Relief under Rule 16.3b, subject to the exceptions noted in Rule 16.3a, is available only in the General Area of the course.

ABNORMAL COURSE CONDITIONS
Abnormal Course Conditions are any Animal Hole, Ground Under Repair, Immovable Obstruction, Temporary Water, clearly defined wheel ruts in the General Area made by course maintenance machinery, deep furrows in bunkers caused by movement of water, areas of bare earth on fairways not including divots.

STONES

If a player’s ball moves when removing a loose stone in the General Area of the course it must be replaced. If an immovable stone interferes with a player’s stroke or backswing, the ball may be lifted and placed at the nearest point clear of such interference, not nearer the hole. No penalty shall be incurred in either case.

TREE ROOTS (when preferred lies fairways only or play the ball as it lies are stipulated)

If a player’s ball lies in the general area and there is interference from exposed tree roots that are part of the general area cut to fairway height or less or in the rough within 2 club lengths from the edge of the area cut to fairway height, the tree roots are treated as ground under repair. The player may take free relief under Rule 16.1b. Relief is not allowed if the tree roots only interfere with the players stance.

NO PLAY ZONES

These include garden beds and ornamental trees in the general area marked by a blue peg and all Waratah Bushes (marked or not).  If any such marked Garden Bed or Ornamental tree or any Waratah Bush interferes with a player’s stance, swing or stroke the ball must be lifted and dropped within ONE club length of the nearest point of relief, not closer to the hole, which completely avoids such interference (Rule 16.1b).

IMMOVABLE OBSTRUCTIONS – Rule 16

Includes the artificial surfaces and sides of roads and paths including gravel paths.

IMMOVABLE OBSTRUCTIONS CLOSE TO PUTTING GREEN

SPRINKLER HEADS

Relief may be taken under Rule 16.1b if a sprinkler head or other immovable obstruction is on the line of play and is within two club lengths of the putting green, and within two club lengths of the ball provided that there will be no relief if the line of play is clearly unreasonable.

STONE BRIDGE ON 4^TH HOLE

Free relief in the drop zone defined by the white markers if the ball lies in the area defined by red markers in front of the Stone Bridge on the 4^th Hole.

CAUSEWAY ACROSS 4^TH, 5^TH 6^TH HOLES

Free relief, at the nearest point of relief and no nearer the hole if the lie of the ball is within the GUR marking the cause-way across the 4^th, 5^th or 6^th hole.

DROP ZONE 6^TH GREEN

There is a clearly defined drop zone alongside, and for play to, the 6^th green (left hand side) for relief from the nearby designated hedge area.

12^TH HOLE

If the tee shot rests in the Penalty Area in front of the tee (dam and surrounds marked by red pegs) there will be a compulsory drop in the drop zone on the red tee for the 3rd shot.

Players have the option of forfeiting the tee shot and playing their 3rd shot from the drop zone.

General penalty for breach of Local Rules – 2 strokes.

Match Committee – Leura Golf Club

CONDITIONS OF PLAY – ENTRANCE FEE FOR ALL ROUNDS IS PAYABLE PRIOR TO ROUND 1 

Players should familiarise themselves with the LGC Local Rules (above) before beginning their round.

1. The competition will be played according to the ‘Rules of Golf’ including applicable Local Rules. Competitors must be members of Leura Golf Club and hold a Golf Australia handicap. In addition members’ attention is drawn to By-Law 7 regarding eligibility.
   To be eligible to play in any Club Championship event, a Member shall be financial and have completed at least two (2) monthly medal rounds or at least five (5) competition rounds at Leura Golf Club in the twelve months immediately preceding the Club Championships.
2. The competition will consist of three rounds of 18 holes of stroke play from the blue tees on the scheduled Saturdays.
3. THE BALL will be played as stipulated on the signboard adjacent to the first tee. If 30cm preferred lies fairways only is stipulated and if a player is unsure whether the ball is on the fairway, the player should seek advice from marker before preferring the ball.
4. Earliest tee time shall be 7.00 am, the latest 12.30 pm.
5. The 12^th hole local rule applicable in normal competitions shall NOT apply for this event.
6. For Round 3, all players still participating in the championships, will play in groups of three commencing at 8.30 am, first C grader, then B grade, then A grade. Groups will be decided by the Match Committee.
7. All three rounds will be played off Daily Handicaps applicable at the commencement of Round 1.
8. The competition will be played in three grades, namely:
   • A grade – Daily handicap of 12 or less
   • B grade – Daily handicap higher than 12 to less than 20
   • C grade – Daily handicap of 20 to 36
9. The championship winner in each grade will be the competitor who returns the best aggregate scratch score over the three rounds. There will also be a net winner in each grade. In conjunction there will be a Seniors’ championship (aged 60 or over at commencement of competition) which will be a scratch event only. There will be prizes for the Runners-up.
10. In the event of a tie winners will be decided:
    • In the case of the best aggregate scratch score for A, B and C grades championships, by a sudden death playoff. The tied participants shall play one extra hole at a time with those still tied for the lowest score moving on to the next hole until a winner has been determined. The playoff holes shall be holes 1, 11,12 and 18, repeated as necessary.
    • In all other cases, including the Seniors’ championship, by count backs as applied by Golf Link.All disputes must be in wri+ng and will be decided by the Match Committee. Decisions will be final.
11. If, in the opinion of the Match committee in conjunction with the Greenkeeper, the course should be closed due to inclement weather the round affected and subsequent rounds shall be rescheduled to the Saturdays If more than one round cannot be played, the championships shall be reduced to two rounds. If necessary, rounds to make up the two rounds shall be scheduled by the Match Committee.
12. On the three original Saturdays and, if used, the spare Saturday there will also be a daily medley single stableford competition from the white tees. Current on the day handicaps will apply.

MATCH COMMITTEE – LEURA GOLF CLUB

Conditions of Play

Players should familiarise themselves with the LGC Local Rules (above) before beginning their round.

1. COMPETITION: This is an 18 hole stroke competition to be played according to the Rules of Golf. Competitors must hold a current Golf Link handicap.
2. THE BALL will be played as stipulated on the signboard adjacent to the first tee. If on the day Preferred Lies Fairways only applies and a player is unsure whether the ball is on the fairway, the player should seek advice from marker before preferring the ball.
3. HANDICAPS (means Daily Handicaps): Men – up to 36 (Division A 18 or less, Division B 19 to 36), Women – up to 45. Current Golf Link cards must be presented to Pro Shop prior to commencement of the round.
4. STARING TIMES: Players must report to the Pro Shop at least 15 minutes prior to their scheduled tee times.
5. TEES: Men – Blue tees, Women – Red tees.
6. LOCAL RULES: Players should acquaint themselves with local rules as amended for this event before beginning their round.
7. PACE OF PLAY: Course Marshalls will be on the course – please keep up with the group in front. Slow play will be penalised in accordance with Rule 5.6a.
8. STAKED TREES: A local rule is in place (see No Play Zones) and as such it is mandatory to take relief from staked trees. Failure to do so incurs a 2 stroke penalty.
9. SCORE CARDS: Competitors must ensure their correct Golflink handicap is shown, correct score is recorded for each hole and the card is signed by both player and marker.
10. TIE: In the event of a tie a countback will take place as applied by Golf Link.
11. INCLEMENT WEATHER: If in the opinion of the Match committee in conjunction with the Greenkeeper the course should be closed due to inclement weather the event shall not be played and shall be re-scheduled.
12. PROTESTS: Should be lodged in writing with Match Committee immediately after completion of round. All disputes will be decided by the Match Committee. Decisions will be final.
13. TROPHIES: One trophy per person other than NTPs or Longest Drives.

Local Rules – REFERENCE – RULES OF GOLF – 2019

The LGC Local Rules apply to the Leura Open except as noted, expanded and/or clarified below.

NO PLAY ZONES
These include garden beds and ornamental trees in the general area marked by a blue peg and all Waratah Bushes (marked or not).  If any such marked Garden Bed or Ornamental tree or any Waratah Bush interferes with a player’s stance, swing or stroke the ball must be lifted and dropped within ONE club length of the nearest point of relief, not closer to the hole, which completely avoids such interference (Rule 16.1b). Relief must be taken such that the player does not touch any part of the tree, even a single leaf, with body or club when taking stance or during the stroke, to do so incurs a 2 stroke penalty.

IMMOVABLE OBSTRUCTIONS – Rule 16
Includes the artificial surfaces and sides of roads and paths including gravel paths.

IMMOVABLE OBSTRUCTIONS CLOSE TO PUTTING GREEN
SPRINKLER HEADS
Relief may be taken under Rule 16.1b if a sprinkler head or other immovable obstruction is on the line of play and is within two club lengths of the putting green, and within two club lengths of the ball provided that there will be no relief if the line of play is clearly unreasonable.

STONES
If a player’s ball moves when removing a loose stone in the General Area of the course it must be replaced. If an immovable stone interferes with a player’s stroke or backswing, the ball may be lifted and placed at the nearest point clear of such interference, not nearer the hole. No penalty shall be incurred in either case.

STONE BRIDGE ON 4^TH HOLE
Free relief in the drop zone defined by the white markers if the ball lies in the area defined by red markers in front of the Stone Bridge on the 4^th Hole.

CAUSEWAY ACROSS 4^TH, 5^TH 6^TH HOLES
Free relief, at the nearest point of relief and no nearer the hole if the lie of the ball is within the GUR marking the cause-way across the 4^th, 5^th or 6^th hole.

DROP ZONE 6^TH GREEN
There is a clearly defined drop zone alongside, and for play to, the 6^th green (left hand side) for relief from the nearby designated hedge area.

12^TH HOLE
The 12^th hole local rule applicable in normal competitions shall NOT apply for this event.

SLOW PLAY – Rule 5.6a
Slow play penalties will be imposed. General penalty for breach of Local Rules – 2 strokes.

Match Committee – Leura Golf Club

Conditions of Play

1. Foursomes: Two players play as partners and use one ball. The players hit off alternately from the tee and thereafter strike the ball alternately during the play of each hole. If either player incurs a penalty stroke it does not alter the rotation of play.
2. The competition will be played according to the ‘Rules of Golf’ and competitors must be members of Leura Golf Club and hold an AGU handicap. Members are reminded that this is a club championship event and members’ attention is directed to By-Law 7  – see below. For the purposes of these Conditions of Play “Club Championships” where used in the by-law means “Men’s Foursome Championships”.
3. The competition will consist of two rounds of 18 holes foursomes stroke play from the blue tees. Preferred lies in accordance with the Local Rules will apply.
4. For Round 2 the order of play will be reversed from that of Round 1.
5. Round 2 tee times shall commence at 8.28 am, the B graders to hit off first followed by the A graders. Pair groups shall be decided by the Match Committee and if there shall be an odd number of pairs an A grade pair may be grouped with a B grade pair.
6. The handicap of each pair will be one half of their combined daily handicaps applicable at the commencement of Round 1.
7. The competition will be played in two grades, namely
   • A grade – pair handicaps of 16 or less
   • B grade – pair handicaps of more than 16, 36 being the maximum handicap.
8. The championship winners in each grade will be the pair who returns the best aggregate scratch score over the two rounds. There will be net winners in each grade. There will be prizes for the Runners-up.
9. In the event of a tie winners will be determined:
   • In the case of the best aggregate scratch score by a sudden death play off. The tied pairs shall play one extra hole at a time with the pairs still tied moving on to the next hole until a winning pair has been decided. The play off holes shall be holes 1, 11, 12 and 18 repeated as necessary.
   • In all other cases by count backs as applied by Golf Link.
10. All disputes must be in writing and will be decided by the Match Committee. Decisions will be final.
11. If in the opinion of the Match committee in conjunction with the Greenkeeper the course should be closed due to inclement weather the round affected shall not be played and shall be re-scheduled.
12. There will be no NTP competition for those playing in the foursomes championships.

 By-Law 7 – Club Championship Eligibility:

To be eligible to play in any Club Championship event, a member shall have completed at least two (2) monthly medal rounds or at least five (5) competition rounds at Leura Golf Club in the 12 months immediately preceding the Club Championships. (ie the Club Championship event concerned)

Medley club competition: There will be a Singles Stableford competition from the white (men) and red (women) tees for those who elect not to play in the championships. There will not be a 2 ball competition. There will be at least one NTP.

Conditions of Play

1. Mixed Foursomes: Two players (one male and one female) play as partners and use one ball. The players hit off alternately from the tee and thereafter strike the ball alternately during the play of each hole. If either player incurs a penalty stroke it does not alter the rotation of play.
2. The competition will be played according to the ‘Rules of Golf’ and competitors must be members of Leura Golf Club and hold an AGU handicap. Members are reminded that this is a club championship event and members’ attention is directed to By-Law 7  – see below. For the purposes of these Conditions of Play “Club Championships” where used in the by-law means “Mixed Foursome Championships”.
3. The competition will consist of one round of 18 holes foursomes stroke play from the blue tees for men and red tees for women. Preferred lies in accordance with the Local Rules will apply.
4. The handicap of each pair will be one half of their combined daily handicaps applicable at the commencement of Round 1.
5. The competition will be played in two grades, namely
   • A grade – pair handicaps of 16 or less
   • B grade – pair handicaps of more than 16, 36 being the maximum handicap.
6. The championship winners in each grade will be the pair who returns the best aggregate scratch score over the two rounds. There will be net winners in each grade. There will be prizes for the Runners-up.
7. In the event of a tie winners will be determined:
   • In the case of the best aggregate scratch score by a sudden death play off. The tied pairs shall play one extra hole at a time with the pairs still tied moving on to the next hole until a winning pair has been decided. The play off holes shall be holes 1, 11, 12 and 18 repeated as necessary.
   • In all other cases by count backs as applied by Golf Link.
8. All disputes must be in writing and will be decided by the Match Committee. Decisions will be final.
9. If in the opinion of the Match committee in conjunction with the Greenkeeper the course should be closed due to inclement weather the round affected shall not be played and shall be re-scheduled.
10. There will be no NTP competition for those playing in the foursomes championships.

 By-Law 7 – Club Championship Eligibility:

To be eligible to play in any Club Championship event, a member shall have completed at least two (2) monthly medal rounds or at least five (5) competition rounds at Leura Golf Club in the 12 months immediately preceding the Club Championships. (ie the Club Championship event concerned)

Medley club competition: There will be a Singles Stableford competition from the white (men) and red (women) tees for those who elect not to play in the championships. There will not be a 2 ball competition. There will be at least one NTP.

For scoring purposes, each booking slot must have three players. The third player can compete in either the Mixed Foursomes or Stableford event.

Conditions of Play

1. The competition will be played according to the ‘Rules of Golf’ and competitors must be financial members of Leura Golf Club, hold a Golf Australia handicap and have completed at least five competition rounds at Leura Golf Club in the 12 months immediately preceding the competition draw.
2. This is a match play handicap competition. Each match will be played over 18 holes of stroke play. The number of rounds will depend on the number of entries. The opponents for the first round and those who have a bye for the first round will be decided by lot and recorded on the draw sheet which will be posted outside the Pro Shop and on the Club’s website.
3. The winners of each match and those with a bye will proceed to the next round. The final winner will be the winner of the competition.
4. The number of strokes given by the lower marker to the higher marker will be three-quarters of the difference between their respective daily handicaps applicable at the commencement of their match. Note a difference ending in less than 0.5 of a stroke will be reduced to the next lower whole number and a difference of 0.5 or more of a stroke will be increased to the next whole number. Strokes will be awarded in accordance with the match index.
5. Each match will be decided by the number of holes won or lost. The match is completed when one player is ahead after 18 holes or is more holes up than the number of holes remaining to be played. If after 18 holes the match is all square play will continue, starting from the first hole, to a sudden death result, with strokes awarded as per the match index.
6. Competitors will play from the white markers (men) or the red markers (women).
7. Matches must be played not later than the dates stipulated in the draw sheet (‘stipulated date or dates’). It shall be the responsibility of the opponent appearing higher in the draw sheet to organise the match.
8. Matches may be played on any day of the week where tee slots are available but will not be played at the same time as the players are competing in another club competition.
9. If the players are unable to agree upon a date and time for the match then the match shall be played on the stipulated date utilising a morning tee time. Failure to do so will result in a victory to the available opponent. If both players are unavailable both will forfeit the match.
10. The winner of a match shall inform the Pro Shop of the result as soon as reasonably possible following completion of the match.
11. There will be four prize winners.
12. If the course shall have been closed due to inclement weather for sufficient number of days such that in the opinion of the match committee it is unreasonable for matches to have been played by stipulated dates the match committee may in its absolute discretion change those dates.
13. All disputes must be in writing and will be decided by the Match Committee. Decisions will be final.

MATCH COMMITTEE – LEURA GOLF CLUB

Played in teams of two. Winning team is the team that takes the least number of strokes to complete the round after deducting handicap from the team’s gross score.

Handicap is combined Daily handicap divided by 4.

Each player’s tee shot must be selected on at least 6 holes.

Except on the putting green, the chosen ball must be marked and each team member’s ball placed and played within one club length of the mark not closer to the hole and on the same area of the course.

On the putting green the chosen ball must be marked and each team member’s ball placed and played within one putter head of the mark not closer to the hole.

Once a ball is holed that is the end of the hole.

Match Committee April 2019

Played in teams of four, however if there is only three in a group it may be played as a team of three. Winning team is the team that takes the least number of strokes to complete the round after deducting handicap from the team’s gross score.

Handicap of a four-person team is combined Daily handicap divided by 8.
Handicap of a three-person team is combined Daily handicap divided by 6.
Each player’s tee shot must be selected on at least 3 holes in a four-person team and in a three-person team on at least 4 holes.

Except on the putting green, the chosen ball must be marked and each team member’s ball placed and played within one club length of the mark not closer to the hole and on the same area of the course.

On the putting green the chosen ball must be marked and each team member’s ball placed and played within one putter head of the mark not closer to the hole.

Once a ball is holed that is the end of the hole.

Match Committee April 2019

Played by a team of four using Stableford scoring system. To tally the teams score:

1. first six holes the best score only is tallied,
2. next five holes the best two scores are tallied,
3. next four holes the best three scores are tallied, and
4. for the final three holes all scores are tallied.

Match Committee April 2019

This event is a variation of the Individual Par competition, where players allocate their full handicap to each hole however they like. In this Bisque Par competition, players will determine their handicap stroke allocation for a hole after playing that hole (and mark that allocation on the score card at that time). The allocation of handicap strokes will obviously cease once the player’s full handicap has been used. The game is then played as an Individual Par competition, and scored in the same fashion.

Match Committee April 2019