New local rules in accordance with the new R and A Rules have been approved by our Committee and are posted on our website and on the noticeboard at the Braids. Please have a look there but to summarize they provide where preferred lies are in force that the ball can be placed within 6 inches of where it lay (not nearer the hole), there is relief from aeration holes and turf seams and immoveable obstructions ie sprinkler heads in line with your shot from off but near the green (have a look at them for the specifics), and relief from hoof damage on course other than putting green (for odd occasion that horses enjoy an outing over the course - which can happen!). The new rules themselves allow you to repair such damage if it is on the green. And lastly a variation of the new rule in which the R and A saw the wisdom of the rule Comiston already had in allowing relief from dog dirt! The new rules allow relief for animal excrement but provide you should treat it like a loose impediment. In case you dont fancy moving the 'dirt' in these circumstances and indeed risking a penalty if the ball moves while you do so, we have put in place the Local Rule that allows you to treat this situation as GUR if you prefer. Given the new Rules allowing you to substitute a ball when you drop when taking relief this means you could - if feeling profligate - just abandon the first one!
LVWP
