Local Rules

LOCAL RULES

WINTER RULES

(In place from Wednesday 12th November 2025 until further notice)

Mats

Fairway mats are now to be used on all areas of the course apart from tiger rough. This is compulsory and must be adhered to at all times (see local rule 9 below)

A lot of mats were left on the course last year and handed into the professional team. We therefore advise all members to mark their mats with their name so they can be returned.

Buggies/Winter Wheels

Buggies MUST always stick to paths and play will ONLY be able to play the holes where paths are in situ.

If buggy users wish to play 18 holes a trolley with winter wheels must be used for holes 2 - 8.

All trollies MUST have winter wheels. If you don't have winter wheels you can either purchase these from the shop or use a carry bag. If you are seen without winter wheels you will not be able to play.

IPGC LOCAL RULES

1. OUT OF BOUNDS (Rule 18.2)

i) Beyond any fence, or line of white stakes defining the boundary of the course.

ii) On or over Ingestre Park Road.

Note 1) A ball that is played from one side of the road which is defined as out of bounds and comes to rest on the other side of that road is out of bounds. This is true even if the ball comes to rest on another part of the course that is in bounds for other holes.

Note 2) Closed gates attached to boundary walls and fences are part of the boundary object. Relief is not allowed from such a gate under Rules 15.2 or 16.1. An open gate is not treated as part of the boundary object and may be closed or moved to a different position.

Note 3) When defined by stakes or a fence, the boundary edge is defined by the line between the course-side points of the stakes or fence posts at ground level (excluding angled supports), and those stakes or fence posts are out of bounds.

2. PENALTY AREAS (Rule 17)

i) All Penalty areas are Red as indicated by red posts.

ii) These are defined where the ground falls away nearest to the penalty area and or the course-side edge where the ground has been left uncut surrounding the penalty area.

iii) Where red lines are used, they define the margin.

iv) Bridges crossing the penalty areas are deemed to be inside the penalty area.

v) If a player’s ball is in the penalty area on the 8th hole, including when it is known or virtually certain to be in that penalty area even though not found, the player has these relief options, each for one penalty stroke:

• The player may take relief under Rule 17.1, or as an extra option,
• the player may drop the original ball or another ball in the dropping zone located in front of the tees. The dropping zone is a relief area under Rule 14.3 Penalty for Playing Ball from a Wrong Place in Breach of Local Rule: General Penalty Under Rule 14.7a

vi) The penalty area behind the 14th green and to the right of the 15th hole defined only on one side extends to infinity.

3. ABNORMAL COURSE CONDITIONS (Rule 16)

i. Ground Under Repair.

a) Any area encircled by white posts and/or a painted white line. The player has the choice of playing the ball as it lies or taking free relief under Rule 16.1b.
b) French Drains throughout the course (Stone-filled drainage ditches or channels).

ii. Immovable Obstructions (free relief under Rule 16.1b).

a) All artificially surfaced roads and paths, including those covered with wood chips. Individual pieces of woodchip are loose impediments.
b) All course furniture including the compressor adjacent to the 18th Green.

iii. Aeration holes and slits.

If a player's ball lies in or touches an aeration hole or slit:

a) Ball in General Area. The player may take free relief under Rule 16.1b.
b) Ball on Putting Green. The player may take free relief under Rule 16.1d.

Interference does not exist if the aeration hole only interferes with the player's stance or area of intended swing or, on the putting green, on the player's line of play.

iv. Cracks in the Ground

In parts of the general area cut to fairway height or less are ground under repair. The player may take free relief under Rule 16.1b. But relief is not allowed if the crack only interferes with the player’s stance.

4. IMMOVABLE OBSTRUCTIONS CLOSE TO PUTTING GREENS (e.g., Sprinkler Heads)

In addition to the types of interference described in Rule 16.1a, when a ball lies in the general area, interference also exists if the obstruction is on the player’s line of play, is within two club-lengths of the putting green and is within two club-lengths of the ball. The player may take free relief under Rule 16.1b. - There is no relief under this Local Rule if the player chooses a line of play that is clearly unreasonable.

5. PROTECTION OF YOUNG TREES

Young trees identified by wrapping, stakes or otherwise protected are No Play Zones.

a) If a player’s ball lies anywhere on the course other than in a penalty area and it lies on or touches such a tree, or such a tree interferes with the player’s stance or area of intended swing, the player must take free relief under Rule 16.1f.
b) If the ball lies in a penalty area, and interference to the player’s stance or area of intended swing exists from such a tree, the player must take relief either with penalty under Rule 17.1e or with free relief under Rule 17.1e.

6. SAFETY ADVICE IN THE EVENT OF A DANGEROUS SITUATION

The Committee will signal a suspension of play for a dangerous situation with one long note of klaxons. That is the signal for everyone to evacuate the course and return to the clubhouse.

If it is not possible to give sufficient warning to clear the course before an electrical storm, anyone affected should comply with the following advice. This advice is designed to assist. It is not an instruction or a Condition of Competition.

Ingestre Park Golf Club is not liable for any injury or damage caused by following this advice.

DO NOT stand under overhead power lines.

DO NOT shelter under trees or on high ground.

DO NOT take cover in wooden or metallic shelters, unless the shelter is fully enclosed and properly earthed.

DO NOT exit the course by walking under trees if at all possible.

DO Keep as low as possible and, if necessary, crouch in the nearest bunker or other low point on the golf course.

DO NOT use a mobile phone. Switch it off

DO NOT put up your umbrella under any circumstances.

DO NOT stand near or carry your golf clubs, they act as a magnet to lightning

DO remove any headgear which may have metal in or on it.

THE FOLLOWING ADDITIONAL LOCAL RULES WILL ONLY BE IN OPERATION IF
DISPLAYED ON THE SIGN NEAR TO THE PROFESSIONALS SHOP (IF IN DOUBT ASK AT PRO SHOP BEFORE YOU PLAY).

7. CLEANING BALL

Model Local Rule E-2.

When a player's ball lies in the general area cut to fairway height or less, the ball may be lifted, cleaned and replaced without penalty. The player must mark the spot of the ball before lifting it (see Rule 14.1) and the ball must be replaced on its original spot (see Rule 14.2). Penalty for Playing Ball from a Wrong Place in Breach of Local Rule: General Penalty Under Rule 14.7a.

8. PREFERRED LIES

Model Local Rule E-3.

When any part of a player's ball touches part of the general area cut to fairway height or less, the player may take free relief once by placing the original ball or another ball in, and playing it from, this relief area:

• The Reference Point: Spot of the original ball.
• Size of Relief Area Measured from Reference Point: 6 inches from the reference point, but with these limits:
• Limits on Location of Relief Area: Must not be nearer the hole than the reference point, and Must be in the general area.

In proceeding under this Local Rule, the player must choose a spot to place the ball and use the procedures for replacing a ball under Rules 14.2b(2) and 14.2e. But, for the purposes of applying Rule 14.2e, the player has only chosen the spot on which to place the ball once the ball has been set down, and the player has let the ball go with the intent for that ball to be in play. After a ball has been placed and is in play under this Local Rule, if the player then proceeds under another Rule that provides relief, this Local Rule may be used again. Penalty for Playing Ball from a Wrong Place in Breach of Local Rule: General Penalty Under Rule 14.7a.

9. COMPULSORY USE OF FAIRWAY MATS

Model Local Rule E-12.

When a player’s ball lies in a part of the general area cut to fairway height or less and a putter is not being used for the stroke, the player must take free relief by lifting the original ball and placing the original ball or another ball on an artificial mat and play it from there.

The mat must be placed on top of the spot where the ball came to rest. If a ball when placed rolls off the mat, the player must try to place it a second time. If the ball again does not stay on the mat, the mat must be moved to the nearest spot, not nearer the hole, where the ball will come to rest on the mat when placed.

If the ball on the mat is accidentally moved before a stroke is made, there is no penalty, and the ball must be placed again on the mat.

If a tee is used to secure the mat into the ground, the ball must not be placed on the tee.

Penalty for Playing Ball from a Wrong Place in Breach of Local Rule: General Penalty Under Rule 14.7a.