Temporary Drop Zones on 3rd Hole
With work continuing for the next few months on the new practice area, 2 temporary drop zones (DZ) have been established on the 3rd hole. You should choose the nearest DZ to where your ball initially lay. You may use these as a free drop if:
· You are virtually certain (95% probability) that your ball is in the work area. Please don’t enter this site to retrieve your ball.
· You are outside the work area and the temporary fence interferes with your stance or swing.
Remember, there is no “line of sight” relief if the fence is just on the line you wish to take for your next shot.
Dog Paw Prints in bunkers
The Match Committee has determined that dog paw prints in bunkers (particularly the newer ones) are GUR. This means that free relief is available under Rule 16.1c. This Rule applies only if your ball is affected by the abnormality (not your stance).
Once your marker has confirmed the relief option, you may drop your ball within one club length of the nearest point (in the bunker) that provides relief from the paw print.
Temporary Water
In the latest edition (2023) of the Rules of Golf, the term “casual water” has been replaced by Temporary Water (see Definitions in the Rules of Golf). With this change comes a new interpretation. If you are unsure of this, please check the latest Rules. Basically, it states that, to obtain free relief, the water needs to be visible on the surface. This is exactly what happened to Sam Burns in the recent U.S. Open (he was not given relief). It is no longer acceptable to press your foot down to cause water to appear. If, after consultation with your marker, you are entitled to free relief (under Rule 16), then you drop your ball within one club length of the nearest point of relief.
Note 1: if it is virtually certain (95% probability) that the ball is in this abnormal ground condition, but can’t be found, then free relief is available under Rule16.1e.
Note 2: if it is NOT virtually certain, then the player should take stroke and distance relief under Rule 18.2.
Hole 5A
In the near future, it will be necessary to introduce hole 5A as other holes are briefly taken out of play. Plans are underway to present accurate distances to this hole (including on the carts). In the meantime, two sprinkler heads have been marked with distances of 100m and 50m to the centre of the green.
