Admirals Club Competition Rules

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All players should be aware of the importance of obeying and being seen to obey, the Rules of Golf. Failure to do this as resulted on several occasions in disciplinary action being taken, which can have serious consequences.

Always make sure your marker knows what you are doing and why and that he has the chance to observe your actions. If you are a marker and are not sure why a player has taken a certain action, then politely ask him and clear up any doubts on what as taken place. A ruling can then, if necessary, be sought from the committee. This should avoid simple misunderstandings of players’ actions and lack of knowledge of the rules.

View the R&A Rules of Golf online by clicking on the following image:
A free copy (exluding P&P) may be obtain from here
The Decisions on the Rules of Golf book can be viewed online here:

1.	Always repair pitch marks, even if they are not made by you.
2.	Replace divots and avoid causing damage to the course by removing divots when taking practice swings or by hitting the head of a club into the ground, whether in anger or for any other reason.
3.	Do not be an inconsiderate golfer, always rake bunkers, smoothing over holes and footprints. Always enter and leave a bunker at its lowest point.
4.	Avoid slow play by keeping up with the players in front. If you do loose a hole and are delaying the group behind, invite them to play through.
5.	No trolleys on greens, green approaches, bunkers and tees. Do not leave golf bags on the green.
6.	Do not use your mobile phone on the course except in an emergency.
7.	Players should not play until the players in front are out of range. Players should always alert greenstaff nearby or ahead when they are about to make a stroke that might endanger them.
8.	In conditions of fog or poor visibility, players must not attempt to play a shot further than they are able to see.
9.	If there is a risk of lightning play may be discontinued and players can decide to suspend play themselves in accordance to rule 6-8 whether or not a klaxon is sounded. Play is automatically discontinued on the sound of 3 short blasts of the klaxon and a player must not override the Golf Clubs decision. The sounding of 1 long blast of the klaxon means that the course is open and play may be resumed .
10.	When protective hoop have been deployed always walk around the hoops and not between the hoops and the green.
11.	When ground frost is present on a fairway always try and walk down the sides of the fairway.
12.	Soft spikes only may be worn during the golfing season from 1st April – 31st October. During the winter, spikes or soft spikes may be worn.

All Competitions and matches are played under the rules of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews with the addition of the following Club Rules. Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews with the addition of the following Club Rules.

To retain an official handicap and be eligible to play in Open or Club Competitions and Matches a member must have paid the appropriate Oakmere Park Oxton Ltd annual subscription. The handicap must be posted on the notice board.

In all mens singles strokeplay competitions players will normally receive their full handicap allowance. However, in Club Trophy singles strokeplay competitions, with the exception of the Medal Final, the Mid – Week Competition Final and the Len Stimson Putter when full handicaps will apply, the maximum allowance will be 21 shots.
In all mens pairs and team strokeplay competitions the maximum number of shots allowed per player is 18.

In National Qualifying competitions special rules for Age and Handicap restrictions / allowances may be in force. Details will be published on the Competition Notice Board whenever this applies.

Before playing in any competition competitors must: -
a) Enter their name on the entry sheet.
b) Pay the competition fee applicable.
Failure to comply with these requirements will result in disqualification.
A player with an inactive handicap will not be eligible to win Club Trophies or enter the Club Knockout competitions. The Open Competitions will also be restricted to players with active handicaps.

All competitions must be played from the competition tees of the day as indicated on the Competition Notice Board and play must commence from the 1st Tee or alternatively from the 10th Tee when this is in use as an official starting tee.

On the day of a competition players may practice on the practice putting green adjacent to the spike bar and on the practice area situated between the Admirals 18th green and the Commanders 1st tee. Rule 33-2c.

All Club competition cards must be marked and signed by a male or female member of the Members Club holding a current official handicap.

All cards taken out must be posted in the appropriate competition box at the earliest time on completion of play. Penalty Disqualification as Rule 6-6(b).

10.

When 2 or more temporary greens are in use then any QR competition on that day will become non-qualifying.

11.

Prizes
In all weekend singles QR competitions players will play in divisions as follows: -

Men	Ladies LGU
1st Division Up to 12 handicap	Silver Up to 20 handicap
2nd Division 13 – 18 handicap	Bronze 21 – 36 handicap
3rd Division 19 – 28 handicap	All others in one division unless stated otherwise

Mens prizes will be awarded as follows:-
Medal Competitions:---The lowest nett scores in each division plus, in Q.R.’s, the best gross score outside the divisional winner.
Stableford or Bogey Competitions:---The best scores in each division.

In all medal Q.R. competitions where the gross score winner is also a divisional winner he will be deemed to have won his division only and a gross score prize will not be given. The gross score prize will not be awarded where the winner's nett score is greater than the Competition Scratch Score of the Day.

Betterball competitions with more than 40 entrants will be played in two divisions. Division 1 will be up to, and including, combined handicaps of 32. This combination is before any fractional reduction. Where there is a maximum handicap that is the handicap to be used.

The number and value of prizes to be awarded in all mens competitions will broadly be as published in the folder in the corridor.

In Weekend Medal QR. Competitions all prize winners will qualify for the Weekend Medal Final.

All prize winners for the mid-week QR. Competitions will qualify for the Mid - Week Competition Final.

12.

All ties in competitions, except scratch competitions, shall be decided by nett scores
over the last 9 holes (10 to18 regardless of starting tee). In the event of further ties then over the last 6,3, 2, 1, 12 or 15 and so on until a result is achieved. Nett scores will be determined by subtracting the relevant fraction of the handicap.

13.

In Match Play Competitions strokes will be conceded or taken in accordance with the Rules currently in force.

14.

Matches must be completed by the appointed dates. The top name(s) will be responsible for arranging the match. If any difficulty is experienced the matter must be referred to a nominated committee member not less than two weeks before the closing date of the round. Failure to do so will result in both parties being disqualified. The decision of the nominated committee members shall be final and no extension to the date for the completion of the round will be allowed.

15.

In match play with a tie resulting after all holes are played then play will continue from the first hole on a sudden death basis, giving and taking shots as before, until a result is achieved.

16.

The Committee have the sole right of the interpretation of these Rules and bylaws, such interpretation to be final, and the Committee reserve the right to rescind, alter or add to these Rules from time to time as may be deemed necessary.

17.

Junior Members - Additional Rules

When there is a Junior Competition on the day, Juniors may only play in the Men’s Competition by either playing in both, providing they are not on the same course, or with the permission of a member of the Committee or Sub-Committees. They must ensure the organiser of the junior competition is informed. Failure to comply will result in disqualification from the Men’s Competition.

18.

Junior Section.
To retain an official Junior Handicap and to be eligible to play in Junior and Senior Club Competitions and matches a Junior must have paid the appropriate Oakmere Park Oxton Ltd annual subscription. Additionally, for Senior Competitions, the Junior must have attained a handicap of 28 or under and will be subject to the Mens Competition Rules.

19.

Members attaining the age of 18 years by the 1st January are not eligible to enter Junior Club Competitions in that or subsequent years.

20.

Any Junior Member playing in an adult competition must be accompanied by, and their card marked by, an adult member with an official handicap or a Junior Member with a handicap of 12 or less.

21.

Juniors are limited to one member per team in all Club Competitions. i.e. One Junior only in Pairs KO, Better Ball, Aggregate and Team of Four Competitions.
Juniors are Not eligible for the Mens' Rabbits KO Singles Competition or the Banner- Kirkham or Stan Wright Mixed Competitions.

Men’s Knockout Competition Eligibility

Club Singles KO	Maximum Handicap 20
	Played off full Handicap difference.

Rabbits Singles KO	Adult Members with a Handicap from 21 to 28.
	Played off full Handicap difference.

Club Doubles KO	All categories eligible - 28 maximum Handicap.
	Better Ball Matchplay. Played off 3/4 Handicap difference taken from lowest Handicap.

Scratch Cup KO	All categories eligible. Full rules will be published at the time of entry.

Seniors Cup KO	Members of both courses over 55 years old on 1 April are eligible.
(David Downes)	Played from the yellow tees and off full handicap difference.

1.	A ball is out of bounds if it comes to rest a) over the boundary of the course designated by a hedge bordering the road to the N and W and field to the S. b) within the confines of the driving range adjoining the 18th fairway. c) on or over the road behind the 17th. green.
2.	Staked and artificially protected trees. A ball lying adjacent to any such tree, being less than one club length in height, so that interference would occur with the player's normal stance or area of intended swing must be lifted without penalty and dropped within one club length of the nearest point of relief not nearer the hole in accordance with Rule 24-2b(i). Stakes supporting such trees are immovable obstructions and relief without penalty may be taken as allowed by Rule 24-2(i). NB1. Other than in Blue Staked Areas, all staked trees over one club length in height are in play, and the stake is an integral part of the course. There is no relief without penalty. NB2. The plastic spirals and tubes used to protect trees from rabbit damage are classed as an integral part of the course and there is no relief without penalty.
3.	Tree plantations marked with Blue Stakes are areas from which play is prohibited. The posts indicating these areas are immovable obstructions within the preservation area. These areas are classed as 'Ground Under Repair' and relief without penalty as provided in Rule 25-1b(i) must be taken. The ball is to be dropped within one club length of the nearest point of relief not nearer the hole.
4.	A ball coming to rest in any newly excavated area left around the base of a staked tree may be classed as being in ground under repair and relief taken as allowed by Rule 25-1b(i).
5.	The angled supports to the boundary fence on the left hand side of the 18th fairway are immovable obstructions and relief without penalty may be taken in accordance with Rule 24-2b(i).
6.	All ditches and ponds are water hazards whether containing water or not. Rule 26 applies.
7.	The bridges crossing the water hazard on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 6th, 7th, 11th and 15th holes are immovable obstructions and relief without penalty is NOT allowed if interference occurs within the hazard. Rule 24-2. Note 1. When a ball is not in the hazard then relief without penalty may be taken in accordance with Rule 24-2b(i). Note - A ball coming to rest on the bridge within the posts is in the hazard.
8.	All wooden steps and benches throughout the course are immovable obstructions and relief without penalty may be taken in accordance with Rule 24-2b(i) or (ii) as appropriate. Note the restriction against crossing under, over or through the obstruction when taking relief. NB. The paths referred to on the scorecards apply only to those being artificially surfaced.
9.	Stones in bunkers are movable obstructions. Rule 24-1 applies.
10.	All yellow, red, blue or green and white stakes indicating hazards, tree plantations or distances to the green are immovable obstructions. Rule 24-2 applies. Yellow, Red and Blue posts are deemed to be within the hazard.
11.	A ball coming to rest on rutted tractor tyre tracks may be lifted without penalty and dropped within one club length of the nearest point of relief not nearer the hole.
12.	All pop-up sprinkler heads and hydrants are immovable obstructions and relief from them may be obtained. Rule 24-2. In addition, if such an obstruction on or within two club lengths of the putting green of the hole being played, intervenes on the line of play between the ball and the hole, the player may obtain relief without penalty as follows:- If the ball lies off the putting surface but not in a hazard and is within two club lengths of the intervening obstruction. It may be lifted, cleaned and dropped at the nearest point to where the ball lay which : a) is not nearer the hole. b) avoids such intervention. c) is not in a hazard or on a putting green.
13.	A ball lying on any putting surface other than the hole being played must be lifted without penalty, and dropped at the nearest point of relief not nearer the hole. Rule 25 -3 applies. This rule to include all marked winter temporary greens, when not in use, and permanent green when temporary green of hole being played is in use.
14.	A player may obtain distance information by using a device that measures distance only. If, during a stipulated round, a player uses a distance-measuring device that is designed to gauge or measure other conditions that might affect his play (e.g. gradient, windspeed, temperature, etc.) the player is in breach of Rule 14-3, for which the penalty is disqualification, regardless of whether any such additional function is actually used.
15.	Temporary Local Rule Throughout the course if any bunker under renovation is marked as G.U.R.then the bunker and any area of stripped or newly turfed ground around the bunker may be classed as GUR "Through the Green". Relief without penalty must be taken as allowed in Rule 25-1(i).
16.	Temporary Local Rule When the greens have been aerated, a ball which comes to rest in or on an aeration hole on the putting green shall be placed at the nearest spot not nearer the hole which avoids such situation.
17.	WINTER RULES During the months from 1st November to 30th April (this date may be altered subject to conditions) a ball on a closely mown area through the green may be lifted without penalty and cleaned. Before lifting the ball, the player must mark its position. Having lifted the ball, he must place it within 6 inches of where it originally lay not nearer the hole. After the ball is so placed it is in play.

1.	The General Rules of the Royal & Ancient Golf Club shall apply, with the addition of Local Rules as applicable.

2.	Competitors shall acquaint themselves with the draw and ensure all their details are correct.

3.	*All Matches must* be played by the dates stipulated in red on the draw sheets.**

4.	*No match will be allowed to be played after the designated date for the round.*

5.	The first named player/pair in each round (highlighted in grey) is responsible for initiating the match arrangements offering at least 3 dates of availability. These dates must be offered within 2 weeks of the end of the last round - these target dates are shown in blue on the draw sheets.

6.	Should the second player/pairing be unavailable for any significant period (e.g. injury, holidays) during a coming round they must contact their opponents immediately and advise of their unavailability. Failure to do so may lead to their disqualification.

7.	All players have a responsibility to ensure that the match is played by the due date.

	If no contact is made or difficulty is experienced in arranging a match it must be referred to either the Club Captain or the Vice Captain by the date shown in blue.

8.	Failure to do so will mean that both parties will be disqualified.

9.	If the first named player/pair fails to offer any dates in the required time period it will result in the second named player/pair automatically going through.

10.	Should a match prove impossible to arrange prior to the designated date for the particular round a decision can be taken by the players concerned by concession, toss of a coin, or any mutually agreed method.

11.	Winners of matches are responsible for writing their names on the Competition Draw Sheet for the next round. Failure to do so within 3 days of the end of a round will result in automatic disqualification without appeal.

12.	Matches must be played over 18 Holes. If a match is all square after 18 Holes it shall be continued until a hole is won.

13.	The Final will be scored by an independent referee appointed by the Competition Committee.

	The Competition Committee reserve the right to make any decision which in their opinion is both just and compatible with the competition, and their decision is final.