Benton Hall Golf & Country Club - Local Rules

Last updated: 30th October 2024

Refer to the Temporary Local Rules for any rules that may be in place due to current course conditions or other factors.

Out Of Bounds ( Rule 18 )

• In or beyond any hedge, ditch, or fence bounding the course.
• The practice area to the right of the 1st, 17th and 18th holes.
• Over the river when playing the 10th, 11th, 15th, 17th, and 18th holes.
• The par 3 course and all practice areas to the right of the 9th hole.
• In or beyond the ditch, or within the greenkeeper's compound, to the right of the 15th hole.
• The area to the left of the 15th tee, up until the point where the last white post meets the first red post by the riverbank adjacent to the start of the fairway.

Note: Out of bounds is defined by the line between the course-side points of the stakes or fence posts at ground level (excluding angled supports), and those stakes or fence posts are out of bounds.

Internal Out Of Bounds - 15th Hole ( Rule 18 )

• When playing the 15th hole, the 14th fairway and all surrounds on the right, defined by white stakes, is out of bounds.
• The stakes are boundary objects for the 15th hole, but they are immovable obstructions when playing any other hole.

Penalty Areas ( Rule 17 )

Note: All penalty areas are indicated by red stakes.

Immovable Obstructions ( Rule 16 )

The objects and areas listed below are Immovable Obstructions from which a player may take relief under Rule 16.1:

• All hoops and ropes.
• When playing the 14th hole, the white stakes that define out of bounds on the 15th hole.
• All roads and paths, plus man-made bridges and structures.
• The river gates and surroundings on the 17th hole.
• All course furniture, including fixed yardage posts, flower beds, supporting posts, mats, tee markers, temporary tee bases, signs, benches, ball washers, life-saving equipment, and bins.
• All raised storm drain mounds, sprinkler heads, hydrants, man-made covers and drainage covers.

Note: If a ball lies on a bridge over a penalty area, then relief is not available under Rule 16, so the player must proceed under Rule 17.

Ground Under Repair ( Rule 16 )

If a ball lies in an area designated as Ground Under Repair, or if the area interferes with the player's swing or stance, the player may take relief under Rule 16.1. The following areas are designated Ground Under Repair:

• Drainage tracks.
• All cut tree stumps.
• Cracks in the ground in any part of the General Area cut to fairway height or less.
• Any area marked as Ground Under Repair (GUR).

Note: Any bunker that is declared as Ground Under Repair becomes part of the general area, which allows a player to take free relief outside the bunker.

No Play Zones ( Rule 16.1f )

If a ball lies in an area marked as a No Play Zone ( NPZ ), or if the area interferes with the player's swing or stance, the player must take relief under Rule 16.1f. The following areas are designated No Play Zones:

• Trees identified with a stake or protective wrapping.
• Any area marked as a No Play Zone ( NPZ ).

Relief from Aeration Holes ( Rule 16 )

If a player's ball lies in or touches an aeration hole on the Putting Green, the player may take relief under Rule 16.1d, but interference does not exist if the aeration hole only interferes with the player's stance or on the player's line of play.

Penalty for Breach of Local Rule

• Match Play: Loss of hole
• Stroke Play: Two strokes

Yardage Posts (distance to centre of green)

• 150 Yards = White Ringed
• 100 Yards = Blue Ringed

Please Note:

In the event of lightning or a thunderstorm occurring whilst you are on the course, players are advised to leave the course immediately. If you choose to play on, it is at your own risk. No siren/alarm will be sounded by the Club.

Participation in the sport of golf carries inherent risks, both to golfers and to others using or present on the course. It is incumbent on those engaged in the playing of golf to act in a responsible manner with due respect for their own safety and that of people on the course, both fellow players and non-golfers alike. All golfers should ensure they are familiar with the general Rules of golf as approved by the R&A, and understand accepted practices of golf etiquette, specifically those relating to safety, to ensure they act in a safe and responsible manner with due care and for themselves, their colleagues and third parties. If a player plays a ball in a direction where there is a danger of hitting someone, they should immediately shout a warning. The traditional warning in such situations is "fore!"