“Relief from interference by an immovable obstruction may be taken under Rule 16.1.
The player has an extra option to take relief when such immovable obstructions are on or close to the putting green and on the line of play:
Ball in General Area. The player may take relief under Rule 16.1b if an immovable obstruction is:
- On the line of play, and is:
- On or within two club-lengths of the putting green, and
- Within two club-lengths of the ball.
Exception – No Relief If Line of Play Clearly Unreasonable. There is no relief under this Local Rule if the player chooses a line of play that is clearly unreasonable.
Penalty for Playing Ball from a Wrong Place in Breach of Local Rule: General Penalty Under Rule 14.7a.”
What does this actually mean for you?
You are now allowed free relief if:
- A sprinkler head is within 2 club lengths of the green AND
- You are within 2 club lengths of the sprinkler head AND
- The sprinkler head is on your intended line of play.
- River Rock placed in decoration or to reduce erosion in drainage areas including plants growing from inside these areas are defined as GUR
- Pump Houses: the bricks on the ground define the outside edge and including plants growing from inside these areas are defined as GUR
- Newly Planted Trees that are Staked or Marked, including their tree wells, and any supporting wires and structures are defined as GUR
- Animal Dung (coyote, duck, geese, etc) may be treated as GUR or Loose Impediments – “Players Choice” see Local Rule F-12
- Cart Paths and Repair Rock along side all cart paths are considered as one, an immovable obstruction.
- Xeriscape Edges: a player whose ball lies within 6” of where the desert meets the grass sod edge has the option of taking free relief (lie of ball only).
- Temporary Water: Must form a definable surface. See USGA definition.
Penalty Areas (Lakes and Washes)
All lakes and washes will be played as red penalty areas defined by red stakes or the water edge.
- Hole #2 (penalty area left of green)
- Hole #6 (penalty area) "Lakes" - Optional Drop Zone - See Next Definition
- Hole #17 (penalty area) "Lake" - Optional Drop Zone is available in front of the ladies tee-box
Lakes Hole #6 - Optional Drop Zone
If a ball crosses into the water hazard near the green on Lakes Hole #6 and last crossed the margin between the two green stakes, the player may, under a one-stroke penalty, use the optional drop zone by the cart path turn-around area.
Alternatively, players retain the options provided under Rule 17.1 of the Rules of Golf, which include:
- Dropping the ball within two club lengths, no closer to the hole, from where the ball last crossed the margin of the water hazard (if a suitable position is available).
- Taking back-on-the-line relief by dropping the ball on a line extending directly back from the hole through the point where the ball last crossed the margin of the water hazard, keeping the drop within the defined relief area.
- Replaying the shot from the prior location.
Out of Bounds/Lost Ball Rule E-5
- Maintenance yards, driving ranges, inside edges of sidewalks bordering the streets and inside edge of property walls on the hole you are playing are all considered out of bounds.
- On Vistas Hole #5 and Lakes #10 (*New), the areas to the right side of the cart path, defined by the white line, is Out of Bounds.
- Out of Bounds local rule E-5 is an options for stroke and distance for a ball that is LOST or OUT OF BOUNDS.
- Relief is from where it is known or virtually certain to be lost or where it went out of bounds, all the way to the nearest fairway plus two club lengths, no closer to the hole plus two stroke penalty.
- This option may only be used if a provisional ball was not put into play or if the provisional ball was lost or OB.
- This option may NOT be used with an unplayable lie
- Notice must be given to all players in Tournaments or rounds where option local rule E-5 is withdrawn
WBVGC Preferred Lies
Preferred lies’ is the term that means that you as a golf player are allowed to improve your lie without penalty on certain parts of a golf course. It’s a local rule only and is also known as ‘Winter Rules’.
During certain times of the year the Pro Shop may put one or both the courses in using “Preferred Lies”. The following are to be used when “Preferred Lies” are in place unless amended and posted on a specific date of play.
In a preferred lies situation, you may play your ball as it lies or utilize the “Preferred Lies” local rules. The “Preferred Lies” local rule may only be used in a closely mown area (fairway) and a player must:
- Mark their ball first. (Failure to mark their ball will be a 1 stroke penalty)
- Lift up the ball
- (Optional) Clean the ball
- Place the ball within 6 inches of the original location, no closer to the hole
If the Pro Shop extends relief to the general area, the following will be added to the WBVGC “Preferred Lie” local rule.
The player is ONLY ALLOWED to use the “Preferred Lie” local rule if there is NO interference by any other situation such as trees, shrubs, any natural objects or OB Model local rule E-3
