Read our summer and winter local rules.
Applicable from 1st May to 30th September.
Out of Bounds
Over all course boundaries. Left of the white posts on the 7th and 11th holes. Right of the white posts on the 10th and 18th holes. Over the bank of the driving range on the 18th hole. In social golf only, a ball may be dropped on the fairway at the point where the ball crossed the out of bounds, for a two shot penalty.
Marker Posts
Out of bounds and penalty area marker posts cannot be removed at any time.
Immovable Obstructions & Abnormal Course Conditions
Free relief can be taken from penalty area marker posts; out of bounds posts not applicable to the hole in play; pathways; artificial surfaces; seats; hole information boards; rubbish bins; ball washers; distance markers and plates; power poles and stay wires; saplings with rabbit guards; tracks or depressions caused by a vehicle; mole hills; animal scrapes or casual water.
Penalty Areas
Ponds, ditches and areas marked with red posts or line marker. If your ball comes to rest, or is lost in a penalty area, a ball may be dropped for a one shot penalty, in accordance with rule 17.
Drop Zones
If your ball comes to rest on the pathways adjacent to the 2nd, 5th or 17th holes, you have the option to play the ball as it lies, take free relief, no nearer the hole, or drop in the Drop Zone.
Blue Staked Areas
Any area or bunker marked with a blue stake is deemed Ground Under Repair. You can take free relief, no nearer the hole.
Lost Ball
In social golf only, a ball may be dropped on the fairway where the ball is estimated to be lost, for a two shot penalty.
Overhead Power Lines
If your ball hits an overhead power line, the stroke is cancelled and a ball must be dropped (or teed up, if played from the tee) and played from the point where the previous stroke was made.
Embedded Balls & Green Aeration Holes
If your ball is embedded anywhere on the course you can take free relief, no nearer the hole, except where you can’t make a swing, for example – under a bush or tree. A ball coming to rest in an aeration hole on the green may be moved one ball diameter, no nearer the hole.
Applicable from 1st October to 30th April.
Preferred Lies
As of 1st October 2024, through to 30th April 2025, Wales Golf gives authority for preferred lies to be in play. Therefore, with immediate effect ‘preferred lies’ shall be in operation.
If your ball lies in the general area, cut to fairway height or less i.e. the fairway, without penalty, you may mark, lift, clean and place within 6 inches (150mm) of where it originally lay, no nearer the hole and not in a penalty area or on a putting green. A player may place the ball only once and after the ball has been placed, it is then in play. This rule does not apply to bunkers.
Penalty for breach of this rule; Matchplay – loss of hole; Strokeplay – two shot penalty.
Lift, Clean & Replace
If your ball lies in the general area, i.e. the rough, you may mark, lift, clean and replace your ball in the original spot it came to rest. This rule does not apply to bunkers.
Penalty for breach of this rule; Matchplay – loss of hole; Strokeplay – two shot penalty.
Embedded Balls
If your ball is embedded in the general area, you may lift, clean and take free relief by dropping the original ball or another ball, right behind where the ball is embedded within one club, no nearer the hole. This rule does not apply to bunkers.
Penalty for breach of this rule; Matchplay – loss of hole; Strokeplay – two shot penalty.
Stakes, Signs & Ropes
When your ball comes to rest close to any temporary stakes and ropes which protect the greens and tees, you may take free relief, no nearer the hole.