Local Rules are detailed on the back of the Scorecard. Note in particular that all red posts marking penalty areas (around the shore beside the course) are immovable obstructions, with relief available under Rule 16.1. Also that free relief must be taken from any Ground Under Repair, which is marked by blue lines and/or stakes. This includes all of the steep banking at the 1st hole. (NB printing on the scorecard may be out of date. This notice is kept current. If in any doubt please ask a member of WGC Committee for clarification.)
There is a coastal path used by walkers beside the shore along the west and north sides of the course. This path goes along the left sides of the 1st, 13th, 14th and 15th holes. There is signage reminding walkers to take care and to allow golfers to play their shot. However, this isn’t always followed, and golfers are reminded they should not play their shot unless they are sure it is safe to do so.
The path itself is an immovable obstruction along the whole of its length. It is clearly defined with gravel. Free relief may be taken under Rule 16.1. This applies when the ball is on the path, or if the path interferes with the player’s stance or swing.
Where Preferred Lies (sometimes referred to as Winter Rules) are in operation this will be stated on the Notice Board underneath the clock by the 1st tee. If this applies, when the ball is on grass mowed to fairway length or less you may lift and clean your ball, and you must then place it within 6 inches of its original spot, not nearer the hole.
Practice shots should NOT be made from the first tee into the sea. There is both a safety and environmental issue with this.
No Play Zones (Rule 16.1f)
- Any area defined as GUR (usually by blue stakes or solid blue lines) is a no play zone. Relief must be taken from interference by the No Play Zone.
Out of Bounds (Rule 18.2)
- Out of bounds is defined by white stakes, lines and fences.
- The boundary to the left of Holes 7, behind the 8th tee and behind the 9th green is defined by the course-side edge of the pavement.
- The boundary to the left of the Hole 10 is defined by the course-side edge of the wall separating the course from the road.
- A ball coming to rest on or beyond the road leading to the Clubhouse is out of bounds, even if it comes to rest on another part of the course that is in bounds for other holes. When playing the 18th hole, the course-side edge of the kerb of the road is the boundary, so a ball resting on the kerb is OB.
Abnormal Course Conditions and Integral Objects (Rule 16)
- Ground under repair (GUR) is defined by any area encircled by a blue line or blue stakes, or as otherwise designated by clear signs.
- The wall about 100 yards inland from the 16th green and the 17th tee is an integral object, as are all other old walls, many mostly buried under grass or undergrowth. These are therefore part of the challenge of playing the course from which free relief under Rule 16 is not allowed.
- All red posts marking penalty areas (around the shore beside the course) are immovable obstructions, with relief available under Rule 16.1.
Steps Into Bunkers
- Three bunkers on the course, at the 3rd, 8th and 11th holes, have steps leading into them. These steps are not within the bunkers, as they are outside of the prepared areas of sand in each case. They constitute Immoveable Obstructions in the general area, and free relief can be taken by interference under Rule 16.1. If your ball is inside the bunker, but you have interference from the steps, you may take free relief in the bunker or drop back on the line behind the bunker for 1 penalty stroke under Rule 16.1c.
WGC Committee May 2025
