9th Hole guidance                                                                       

The work on the 9th hole gives rise to a number of potential relief situations, dependant on where your ball comes to rest. This note is to give guidance on the application of relief from Ground under Repair and the Water Hazard (Pond).

Conditions

1.In front of the men’s tee for a distance of 40/50 yards all of the ground across the breadth of the hole is Ground Under Repair (GUR).
2. On the left hand side the GUR extends beyond the ditch to the left of the pond.
3. On the right hand side there is GUR extending to the edge of the wooded area. Where the mound of earth starts, the GUR then extends sideways towards the 11th hole and incorporates all of the area up to the margin of the lateral water hazard beyond the ditch. The margin of the lateral water hazard is marked by red stakes and includes the green fence.
4. Both ditches will be classed as Through the Green – i.e. part of the GUR, until the area either side is repaired and brought back into play.
5. The pond is a Water Hazard with the margin defined by yellow stakes. All of the newly laid turf around the pond outside of the yellow stakes is MANDATORY GUR from which play is prohibited.
6. There will be 4 Drop Zones – one at or in front of the men’s tee (A); one on each side of the fairway before the pond (B&C); and an area on the green side of the right hand ditch (D). This will be a mat as the ground condition is poor and we need a “no nearer the green” option.

Relief

A ball landing in Condition 1 may be played as it lies, relieved under normal GUR rules (full relief required) or use Drop Zone (A).

A ball landing in Conditions 2, 3 and 4, not having passed the furthest margin of the  water hazard (pond) can be relieved using normal GUR rules, or Drop Zones (B&C) whichever is the nearer.

A ball landing in GUR beyond the furthest margin of the pond may be played as it lies, relieved under normal GUR rules (full relief required), or use Drop Zone (D).

In each case relief taken must not be nearer the hole.

When a ball lands in the margin of the water hazard (pond) it is deemed to be unplayable and relief must be taken with a penalty of one stroke under Rule 26-1.

A provisional ball may be played from the tee if it is uncertain where the ball has landed. Once established with virtual certainty as to the position of the ball the provisional ball may be abandoned. Play will then continue with the original ball or relief taken as noted above.