The Club Committee will review this guidance and decide on its application and communication ASAP.
## What has changed within the Adverse/Extreme Weather Reference Guide?
The content, supporting rules and guidance remain the same. The only change is when clubs can apply the Model Local Rules – previously, ‘winter rules’ were applicable between 1st October and 30th April. Within WHS™, there is no reference to specific use of ‘winter rules’, only that there is an active or inactive season. In England, WHS™ remains active all year round, therefore the term ‘winter rules’ does not exist and the limitation on when Model Local Rules can be applied has been removed.
## When can Model Local Rules be applied?
Golf clubs can utilise Model Local Rules throughout the year, but ONLY when it is necessary to do so, on specified areas of the course and when the conditions would mean that acceptable scoring would not be possible without them being in place. Furthermore, the Model Local Rules MUST be removed as soon as practicably possible. When implementing any of the Model Local Rules for your golfers, it must be clearly communicated and signposted which Model Local Rules are in place and the areas in which they are to be used. It is very important to remember that Model Local Rules should only be used when necessary, to ensure equity within the World Handicap System™.
## Before applying Model Local Rule E3 – Preferred Lies, what other rules should be considered first?
Model Local Rule E2 – Cleaning the Ball, should be first considered, as this may be considered on parts of the general area where conditions result in an unfair playing condition. The areas in which this rule is used should be explicit and communicated to golfers. Once ground conditions improve to a point that it is no longer an unfair playing condition, the rule must be removed.
## When can Model Local Rule E3-Preferred Lies be applied? And when should it be taken off?
Model Local Rule E3 – Preferred Lies can be applied throughout the year, only when ground conditions are such that it results in an unfair playing condition and only within closely-mown areas (grass cut to fairway height or less). This local rule must be explicit to areas of the course where it is required and must be removed as soon as ground conditions improve to a point where it no longer results in unfair playing conditions.
## Who can support the club on the application of the guidance document and Model Local Rules?
Your county will be your first point of call regarding any advice around when to implement rules. You do not need their permission to apply them but they can offer support and details if you are unsure. Each county has a Handicap Advisor and Rules Official who can support your club.
https://www.englandgolf.org/news-detail?newsarticleid=957&utmcampaign=281126802.10.24%20%20Club%20comms%20%20Extreme%20Weather%20guidance&utmmedium=email&utmsource=The%20England%20Golf%20Union%20Limited&dm_i=4ON0,1O96S,66NFN4,7VAN0,1
R&A Rules *
The Rules of Golf content is intended for those who administer the game and who need to answer the variety of questions that can arise in relation to golf competitions. If you are a player, it is recommended that you should first consult 'The Player's Rule Finder'.
https://www.randa.org/rules/rules-hub
R&A Handbook*
https://assets-us-01.kc-usercontent.com/c42c7bf4-dca7-00ea-4f2e-373223f80f76/48712d47-76dc-4fd3-add1-53972c021580/2023%20Rules%20of%20Golf.pdf
LOCAL RULES
Les Mielles Golf Club adopt the Local Rules as published on the score card and shown below.
A Club notice will be displayed if any temporary local rule is introduced or removed.
LOCAL RULES
1. OUT OF BOUNDS
A ball is deemed Out of Bounds if it lies outside any of the boundaries towards any public road, or the fencing towards the Driving Range, or on or within the Clubhouse, Practice Putting Green or surrounding tarmacadam areas, or any other boundary of the Course defined by WHITE stakes.
2. INTERNAL OUT OF BOUNDS
a. 1st, 12th, 14th & 16th holes - ground to the left of the white stakes is Out of Bounds.
b. 5th hole - ground to the right of the white stakes is Out of Bounds.
Note: LESS ABLE PLAYERS (by age, or disability) may play from the 5th hole onto the 4th fairway beyond an imaginary line drawn between the RED/WHITE stake and the Clubhouse flagpole, but must give safety priority to players on the 4th tee.
R&A Rule 18
https://www.randa.org/rog/the-rules-of-golf/rule-18
3. MOVABLE OBSTRUCTIONS (Rule 24-1) Stones in Bunkers are moveable obstructions.
4. IMMOVABLE OBSTRUCTIONS
a. All Staked trees and any trees or shrubs less than 1 club length in height.
b. Fixed sprinkler heads. In addition: if a ball lies off the putting green but not in a hazard and such an obstruction on or within two club lengths of the putting green and within two club-lengths of the ball, intervenes on the line of play between the ball and the hole, the player may obtain relief as follows:- the ball shall be lifted and dropped at the nearest point to where the ball lay which (a) is not nearer the hole (b) avoids such intervention, and (c) is not in a hazard or on a putting green. The ball may be cleaned when so lifted.
c. Wooden surrounds to tee boxes or paths, yardage markers, fences and bins.
d. The pump house on the 18th hole.
e. The menhir stones on the 11th and 18th hole.
f. All artificially constructed paths and course furniture.
g. The sewage plant, dustbin store and compressed air cleaner.
h. The Jack A'Court Memorial Stone on the 9th hole. NOTE: A drop without penalty may be taken within one club-length of the nearest point of relief and no nearer the hole.
i. White stakes or boundary ditch markers which have no relevance to the hole being played and which interfere with the player’s stance or intended swing.
5. LATERAL WATER HAZARDS Defined by RED stakes.
Provisional Ball (Appendix 1 - Local Rule 2b) Permitting the play of a provisional ball for a ball which may be in a water hazard of such character that if the original ball is not found, there is reasonable evidence that it is lost in the water hazard and it would be impractical to determine whether the ball is in the hazard or to do so would unduly delay play. The ball shall be played provisionally under any of the available options.
In such a case, if a provisional ball is played and the original ball is in a water hazard, the player may play the original ball as it lies or continue with the provisional ball in play, but may not proceed under with regard to the original ball.
R&A Penalty Areas Rule 17
https://www.randa.org/rog/the-rules-of-golf/rule-17
6. MAXIMUM PLAYING TIME
The maximum playing time for 18 holes of golf is 4 hours and 19 minutes. Time penalties may be incurred in competition rounds.
7. SAFETY
Please do not Tee Off if people or Vehicles are within your field of play.