Local Rules & General Health & Safety 

LOCAL RULES

Abnormal course conditions. Relief from seams of cut turf

If a player's ball lies in or touches a seam of cut turf or a seam interferes with the player's area of intended swing: 

a. Ball in general area. The player may take relief under Rule 16.1b.

b. Ball on Putting Green. The player may take relief under Rule 16.1d.

But interference does not exist if the seam only interferes with the player's stance. 

All seams within the area of cut turf are treated as the same seam in taking relief. This means that if a player has interference from any seam after dropping the ball, the player must proceed as required under Rule 14.3c(2) even when the ball is still within one club length of the reference point. 

Preferred Lies

Preferred lies are in operation.

No Play Zone

The cleared area in front of the 16th tee is a No Play Zone that is treated as an Abnormal Course Condition.  Relief must be taken from interference under Rule 16.1f.  As an extra option the player may take relief by dropping the original ball or another ball in the nearest dropping zone (DZ), which may be nearer the hole. The circular DZ is defined as being within one club length from the sign and is a relief area under Rule 14.3.

Goose Droppings

As a result of goose droppings being prevalent on the 2nd and 3rd holes an additional local rule has been added: At the player’s option, droppings from geese may be treated either as: a) Loose impediment that may be removed under Rule 15.1 or b) Ground under repair from which free relief is allowed under Rule 16.1 (by cleaning and dropping the original ball or another ball in the relief area)

Immovable Obsctructions (Rule 16)

a) All artificially surfaced paths and tracks are immovable obstructions.

b) The Halfway Hut, the gardens surrounding it and the pathway directly adjacent to the Hut and gardens are considered one obstruction.

c) Immovable obstructions close to the putting green - when a ball lies in the general area, interference exists if an immovable obstruction is: on the player’s line of play, is within two club-lengths of the putting green and is within two club-lengths of the ball. The player may take relief under Rule 16.1b. (Exception - There is no relief under this Local Rule if the player chooses a line of play that is clearly unreasonable.)

Out of Bounds (Rule 18.2)

a) Over any boundary fence of the course.

b) The Clubhouse, patio area, and surrounding flower beds.

c) Beyond the line of white stakes behind the 14th and 15th holes

Wrong Green (Rule 13.1f)

The practice putting green behind the 18th green and the green on the RHS of the 3rd short of the lake are Wrong Greens. Relief must be taken. As an extra option on the 3rd the player may take relief by dropping the original ball or another ball in the dropping zone (DZ), which may be nearer the hole. The circular DZ is defined as being within one club length from the sign and is a relief area under Rule 14.3.

Aeration Holes

As a result of the recent course maintenance, an additional temporary local rule has been added enabling free relief due to the abnormal course condition. If a player's ball lies in or touches an aeration hole. a) Ball in General Area: The player may take relief under Rule 16.1b. If the ball comes to rest in another aeration hole the player may take relief again under this Local Rule. Players should mark the nearest point of complete relief and the ball must be dropped in and come to rest in the relief area. The relief area is one club-length from the reference point and must be no nearer the hole and in the general area. b) Ball on Putting Green: The player may take relief under Rule 16.1d. If a player’s ball is on the putting green and there is interference by an abnormal course condition on the course, the player may take free relief by placing the ball on the spot of the nearest point of relief. Interference does not exist if the aeration hole only interferes with the player's stance or, on the putting green, on the player's line of play. 

FLAG POSITIONS

The colour of the flag indicates the position of the pin on the geen.

 Red flag = Front of the green

 Yellow flag = Centre of the green.

 White flag = Back of the green.

GOLF COURSE HEALTH & SAFETY

General Guidance

Please be aware of the general course guidance below before play. If you identify any area on the golf course or in the clubhouse which could be a potential health & safety risk please alter a memebr of staff as soon as possible and they will determine whether any action is required.

On Course Guidance

The following points are designed to help you navigate your way around the course safely. This list is not exaustive and relies on players proceeding with due care and attention at all times.

• Players are reminded it is their sole responsibility to ensre the safety of others and their posessions.
• Familiarise yourself with the online course status before play.
• Walk at a steady pace and be mindful if your footings, especially in icy conditions.
• Step carefully in and out of bunkers, heather & rough areas at all times and when walking up and down a slope.
• Do not walk through frozen surface water, including in a bunker.
• Never play a shot if you believe there is a reasonable chance your ball may strike another person.
• Shout 'FORE' if you believe your ball is going to strike another golfer. If you hear 'FORE' crouch down and make yourself as small as possible.
• Be mindful of tree stumps and roots when playing a shot. If you think you may suffer an injury, take relief lin line with the rules of golf or any model local rule highlighted.
• Be aware of your surroundings before swinging the club to ensure you don't strike another golfer.
• In the event of adverse weather please refer to the course closure POLICY

• Green staff have priority on the course. The ball must not be played when they are in range. Green staff will give way when practicable. Please wait until the way is clear or you are called through.

• Ensure you are familiar with the Buggy Policy before using a buggy on the course or around the clubhouse surrounds.

• On the 6th hole you must wait for the bell to be sounded before hitting your tee shot.
• Defibrillators are located in the halfway hut and clubhouse. In the event of an emergency the clubhouse telephone number is 01252 616443 . If in doubt dial 999.

Health & Safety Policy

The following is a statement of the Club‘s health and safety policy in accordance with Section 2 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.

It is the policy of North Hants Golf Club Ltd to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of all employees working for the Club and other persons who may be affected by our undertakings. As a business we acknowledge that the key to successful health and safety management requires an effective policy, organisation and arrangements, which reflect the commitment of senior management. To maintain that commitment, we will continually measure, monitor, improve and revise, where necessary, our Occupational Safety and Health (OH&S) management system to ensure that health and safety standards are adequately maintained. The General Manager will implement the Club’s health and safety policy and recommend any changes to meet new circumstances.

The Club recognises that successful health and safety management contributes to successful business performance and will allocate adequate finances and resources to meet these needs. The management of North Hants Golf Club Ltd looks upon the promotion of health and safety measures as a mutual objective for themselves and employees. It is therefore, the policy of management to do all that is reasonably practicable to prevent personal injury and damage to property. Also, the Club aims to protect everyone, including visitors and members of the public, in so far as they come into contact with our activities, from any foreseeable hazard or danger.

All employees have duties under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and are informed of their personal responsibilities to take due care of the health and safety of themselves and to ensure that they do not endanger other persons by their acts or omissions. Employees are also informed that they must co-operate with the Club in order that it can comply with the legal requirements placed upon it and in the implementation of this policy. We are committed to continued consultation with the workforce to enable all viewpoints and recommendations to be discussed at regular intervals.

The Club will ensure a systematic approach to identifying hazards, assessing the risks, determining suitable and sufficient control measures and informing employees of the correct procedures needed to maintain a safe working environment. We will provide, so far as is reasonably practicable, safe places and systems of work, safe plant and machinery, safe handling of materials and substances, the provision of adequate safety equipment and ensure that appropriate information, instruction, training and supervision is given.

We regard all health and safety legislation as the minimum standard and expect management to achieve their targets without compromising health and safety. A signed copy of this statement is available on request