Hole 6

After much discussion, it was decided to retain the out-of-bounds designation and the mandatory free relief area.

Hole 7

The practice bunker located to the right of Hole #7 is ground under repair. 

The Cemetery Road continues with no relief being available.

Hole 8

Out of bounds now exists behind Hole 8 and is defined by the course-side edge of the curb of the road.

Pumphouse, maintenance area, buildings and parking area on Hole #12

These are considered as “immovable obstructions”, which allows for free relief.

The parking areas in the vicinity of Holes 1, 10, 16 and 18

Now is out of bounds; and is defined by the course-side edge of the curb and/or white stakes.

Tennis courts

The tennis courts have changed from “internal out of bounds” to an “immovable obstruction”.  This results in free relief.

Pergola

The Pergola is defined as an “immovable obstruction”, which allows for free relief.

Provisional Ball for Ball in a Penalty Area

If a player does not know whether his or her ball is in a penalty area, the player may play a provisional ball under Rule 18.3, which is modified.

Cleaning Ball

This local rule is intended for short duration situations and is at the discretion of the Head Professional.  It will be posted at the Pro Shop and on the website when it is applicable.

Preferred Lies

This local rule is intended for short duration situations and is at the discretion of the Head Professional.  It will be posted at the Pro Shop and on the website when it is applicable.

Relief from Aeration Holes

This local rule is intended for short duration situations and is at the discretion of the Head Professional.  It will be posted at the Pro Shop and on the website when it is applicable.

Alternative to Stroke and Distance for Lost Ball or Ball Out of Bounds

With the exception for play leading to Club Championships, or for elite competitions such as open and invitational tournaments, this allows for relief option near where the ball crossed the boundary or was estimated to be lost, for a penalty of two strokes.

Protection of Young Trees

Young trees in need of protection are identified by orange ribbons; and are no play zones.

Defining Abnormal Course Conditions and Integral Objects

Paved roadways, paved cart paths, cultivated / landscaped beds  are immovable obstructions, allowing for free relief.

Non-grassed areas immediately adjacent to or extending from paved cart paths and paved roadways are considered as ground under repair, allowing free relief.

Stone retaining walls are integral objects, no relief is permitted.

Reminder that the maintenance road to the left of Hole 12 is not paved; free relief is not available.

Immovable Obstructions Close to Putting Greens

Relief from interference by an immovable obstruction (e.g. sprinkler heads, valve covers, etc.) when they are close to the putting green and on the line of play.

Relief from tree roots in fairways

It was decided that “the course is to be played as found”.  A player has the option to declare the shot unplayable and take the appropriate penalty relief.

Accumulations of Loose Impediments

This local rule is intended for short duration situations and is at the discretion of the Head Professional.  It will be posted at the Pro Shop and on the website when it is applicable.

Any ground with temporary accumulations of loose impediments such as pine needles, acorns or leaves in the general area or in a bunker are treated as ground under repair from which free relief is allowed.

Methods for Stopping and Resuming Play

Suspension and resumption of play will be signaled by the Pro Shop using the following signals.

Maximum Time for All or Part of Round

Section E, Item 8 states the Pace of Play Policy for members and their guests for general member play and member tournaments, except as noted for elite competitions such as open and invitational tournaments.

COVID-related MLR’s

Rules of Handicapping

All scores posted for rounds with any of the rules stated below are acceptable for handicap purposes. (Per Golf Canada guidance).

Scoring in stroke play

For general, member play, players may use any of the following options, at their discretion or direction from league captains:

• Keep their own scorecard or via electronic means; and enter those scores in Golf Canada’s Scoring Centre.
• Have one member of the playing group to record scores on behalf of other players, either on a scorecard or via electronic means; taking care to confirm the score with each player.   It will be the responsibility for each player to enter their scores in Golf Canada’s Scoring Centre unless the league has set up an alternate process.  There is no need to submit completed scorecards to the Committee.

For elite competitions such as open and invitational tournaments, an area that is compliant with social distancing protocols will be provided for players, their markers and scoring volunteers to sit.  The players and their markers will verbally confirm the scores to be submitted.  The scoring volunteer will record the scores in the computer and read them back to the player for confirmation.  There is no need to transfer or submit completed scorecards.

Bunkers

No rakes will be available for use in bunkers.

Disturbed areas in bunkers are considered ‘Ground Under Repair’, allowing players to take either free or penalty relief in accordance with Rule 16.1c.  If the relief is taken within the bunker, the ball may be placed in the approximate original location, no closer to the hole, rather than dropped.

Players are strongly encouraged to try their best to smooth the disturbed area with a foot, club or other personal devices after playing their ball.

Flagsticks

All players are required to leave the flagstick in the hole at all times and it shall not to be touched.

Definitions for “Hole” and “Holed”

The hole liner (“cup”) is to be set in a way that restricts the ball from being completely below the surface of the putting green.

A ball will be considered “holed” if any part of the ball comes to rest in the hole below the surface of the green.