Leaves, Local rule

[Golfnut1957]

I found out today that the club have enacted a local rule regarding any area where leaves have accumulated to be ground under repair, and consequently, as it is GUR, you can't lose a ball in there. As long as your playing partners agree that it is there among the leaves you can drop a ball without penalty.

I'm pretty happy with this as it gets really frustrating watching your ball land, knowing exactly where it is, but not being able to spot it. On the other hand, there is something a little bit off getting a free drop for what is essentially a lost ball.

The positives out weigh any negatives. It should speed up play, and it legitimises what many are doing unofficially anyway. We don't have any stroke play comps over the winter, matchplay only so the competitors can sort it between themselves without affecting anyone else.

The only other thing of note is that as it stands 90% of the course is GUR.

 

[Arthur Wedge]

I found out today that the club have enacted a local rule regarding any area where leaves have accumulated to be ground under repair, and consequently, as it is GUR, you can't lose a ball in there. As long as your playing partners agree that it is there among the leaves you can drop a ball without penalty.

I'm pretty happy with this as it gets really frustrating watching your ball land, knowing exactly where it is, but not being able to spot it. On the other hand, there is something a little bit off getting a free drop for what is essentially a lost ball.

The positives out weigh any negatives. It should speed up play, and it legitimises what many are doing unofficially anyway. We don't have any stroke play comps over the winter, matchplay only so the competitors can sort it between themselves without affecting anyone else.

The only other thing of note is that as it stands 90% of the course is GUR.

Leaves have always been a very big pain especially in Parkland courses

You can get relief from any piles that have been put there by the greenstaff for later removal - 16.1

It is good though that you can put in a local rule to remove any doubt

 

[D-S]

I found out today that the club have enacted a local rule regarding any area where leaves have accumulated to be ground under repair, and consequently, as it is GUR, you can't lose a ball in there. As long as your playing partners agree that it is there among the leaves you can drop a ball without penalty.

I'm pretty happy with this as it gets really frustrating watching your ball land, knowing exactly where it is, but not being able to spot it. On the other hand, there is something a little bit off getting a free drop for what is essentially a lost ball.

The positives out weigh any negatives. It should speed up play, and it legitimises what many are doing unofficially anyway. We don't have any stroke play comps over the winter, matchplay only so the competitors can sort it between themselves without affecting anyone else.

The only other thing of note is that as it stands 90% of the course is GUR.

Is this an official local rule or just to help people in fun games?

 

[PJ87]

Is this an official local rule or just to help people in fun games?

This came up in a society event the other day and I thought was complete rubbish

Turns out , it wasnt

Yes, the 'leaf rule' is actually a real thing. Here's what the rules say about it

Fall is here, meaning golfers are invoking the ‘leaf rule.’ But is it really an actual thing?

www.golfdigest.com

 

[Arthur Wedge]

Is this an official local rule or just to help people in fun games?

16-.1 is the main rule for leaves piled up for disposal

Rules of Golf explained: Can you get relief from a pile of leaves?

Has your ball been buried under a swept up stock of leaves? Our Rules of Golf expert Steve Carroll reveals what your options are

www.nationalclubgolfer.com

 

[IanM]

Some courses wouldn't be playable without it.... especially if the ground is too wet to get leaf blowing equipment on the course

 

[rulie]

Model Local Rule F-14 (from the Official Guide):

F-14 Accumulations of Loose Impediments​

Purpose. At certain times of the year, piles of loose impediments such as leaves, seeds or acorns may make it difficult for a player to find or play their ball. A Committee can choose to treat such piles of loose impediments in the general area or in a bunker as ground under repair from which free relief is allowed under Rule 16.1.
This Local Rule may not be used for penalty areas as relief is not available for abnormal course conditions in penalty areas.
The Local Rule should be limited to the hole(s) where problems are created by such loose impediments and should be withdrawn as soon as conditions allow.

Model Local Rule F-14​

“During play of the [specify hole number], any ground with temporary accumulations of [identify types of loose impediments ] in the general area or in a bunker is treated as ground under repair from which free relief is allowed under Rule 16.1.
Penalty for Playing Ball from a Wrong Place in Breach of Local Rule: General Penalty Under Rule 14.7a.”

 

[Golfnut1957]

Is this an official local rule or just to help people in fun games?

We now have the official answer from those who know about these things

The truth is I didn't know or for that matter care. The rule means I'm losing balls but not shots, and as I don't have a decent ball in my bag at the moment that's fine. Plus, if everyone else is leaving balls lying around, you would think I'd break even.

A good ploy for finding balls is to walk the course on a really windy day when the leaves are being blown around, thus uncovering all the balls. It's like finding conkers.

 

[rulefan]

“During play of the [specify hole number], any ground with temporary accumulations of [identify types of loose impediments ] i

NB the words in bold

This model local rule is actually in the Rules of Golf

 

[KenL]

Can you lose a ball in long rough and not be penalised if there are leaves there?
Do the “gur” areas have to be marked?
Is the LR acceptable for submitting scores for hcp?

 

[Golfnut1957]

Can you lose a ball in long rough and not be penalised if there are leaves there?
Do the “gur” areas have to be marked?
Is the LR acceptable for submitting scores for hcp?

(i) Probably, but we don't really have long rough, the trees are the penalty for being wayward on our course.
(ii) In our case, it really is the whole course. So any accumulation on any hole qualifies. Plus, as they blow around all the time, they would be impossible to mark.
(iii) Interesting question, but it is a moot point in our case. The bottom two holes are too wet to play, we are on our winter course, which brings two other holes and two other greens into play. This course has a CR which is 3 less than par, nobody but a bandit looking for an upward movement puts a card in on that course.

I'm sure we will get the definitive answers shortly.

 

[jim8flog]

A rule I tried to introduce where I play but the rest of the committee turned it down

 

[jim8flog]

Can you lose a ball in long rough and not be penalised if there are leaves there?
Do the “gur” areas have to be marked?
Is the LR acceptable for submitting scores for hcp?

1 and 2 The answer is in reading the LR see #7
3. Yes where a club has implemented an allowable local rule all scores will be acceptable.

 

[KenL]

1 and 2 The answer is in reading the LR see #7
3. Yes where a club has implemented an allowable local rule all scores will be acceptable.

I do not agree with this. Too open to people claiming any lost ball is down to leaves.

 

[Parsaregood]

If your playing a bounce game or roll up sweep whatever absolutely no problem with this, who cares at the end of the day if everyone in the playing group is in agreement. Stuff like this just epitomises the golf club British attitude, this forum is full of guys who would rather discuss stuff like this than golf itself, equipment or technique. So dated and uptight. Live a little everyone

 

[Golfnut1957]

I do not agree with this. Too open to people claiming any lost ball is down to leaves.

There are a multitude of rules that are open to interpretation and abuse by those who wish to take that path. This is just another.

 

[bunkerblaster]

You can only try, we include in the LR: "Players are asked to exercise good and fair judgment in these situations and not seek to gain an unfair advantage, ie it is virtually certain (95%) fellow players saw the ball drop in the Abnormal Course Condition".

It is only the start of the winter season (should say adverse weather season?) we have had above average rain all summer, we now have flooding and storms, cold nights with frost are expected meaning the leaves will drop en masse in the next couple of weeks. EG/WHS insist its golfing business as usual so keep playing handicapped rounds. However they accept course conditions are getting worse throughout the year, winter golf conditions relatively more so. Courses are wet, lies are poor, the ball does not go so far, and with leaves, mud and debris on the course winter golf is not as easy, or fun as summer golf. I think EG/WHS acknowledge this as golfing reality and have given dispensation to use local rules to adapt to the reality of the situation. So adopt these local rules, and I would suggest be generous if you are not playing a top class course, and get the most out of winter golf.

 

[jim8flog]

I do not agree with this. Too open to people claiming any lost ball is down to leaves.

Whilst we do have this rule where I play one round at this time of year and you would see why we actually need it. There are times when the amount of leaves are so thick they go over your ankles when kicking around try to find a ball.

 

[KenL]

Whilst we do have this rule where I play one round at this time of year and you would see why we actually need it. There are times when the amount of leaves are so thick they go over your ankles when kicking around try to find a ball.

I am perfectly fine with this for social golf.
When you can’t find your ball do you have to go back to the tee to reload if it is a comp or if putting in a score for hcp?

 

[jim8flog]

I am perfectly fine with this for social golf.
When you can’t find your ball do you have to go back to the tee to reload if it is a comp or if putting in a score for hcp?

Yes.

Loosing the ball in leaves is no different to loosing it anywhere without a local rule that allows otherwise.

Of course if playing for handicap or playing in a stableford comp you can NR that hole if you do not want to go back.

From November to April all our comps are stableford.