LOCAL RULES

1. Out of Bounds (Rule 18.2)

A ball is Out of Bounds when it is :

(a) beyond any wall, fence or posts defining the boundary of the course;

(b) beyond the white posts to the left of the 1st, 2nd, 8th, and 9th holes;

(c) on, or beyond, all hard surfaces surrounding the Clubhouse, including the car park (Note: the roped fences bordering the Clubhouse hard surfaces on the 1st and 9th holes are immovable obstructions (Rule 16.1 applies).

2. Penalty Areas (Rule 17)

These are defined by red stakes to the right of the 2nd fairway, in front of the 4th tee and to the right of the 13th fairway.

A ball resting on the causeway (including its banks down to the water’s edge), defined as that area between the ends of the two lines of sleepers extended down to the water’s edge by the use of lines and/or posts, within the penalty area must not be played as it lies. This is a No Play Zone. Players must take free relief using the dropping zone provided in front of the 4th hole’s red teeing area. The dropping zone is a relief area (Rule 14.3 applies)

3. Immovable Obstructions (Rule 16)

(i) A ball lying on or in (a) a shale path; (b) artificial grass surfaces; (c) tyre marks caused by greenkeepers machinery or (d) any open drain – free relief  may be taken and the ball dropped in a relief area as defined by Rule 16.1b

(ii) A ball lying on or in (e) the practice green; (f) the flower beds surrounding the Clubhouse; (g) any access cover or (h) fixed sprinkler heads – free relief  must be taken and the ball dropped in a relief area as defined by Rule 16.1b

4. Ground Under Repair (G.U.R.)

Play is prohibited from areas of G.U.R. Free relief must be taken in accordance with Rule 16.1b, unless a dropping zone is clearly in place.

5. Immovable Obstructions Close To Putting Green

In addition to the types of interference described in Rule 16.1a, when a ball lies in the general area, interference also exists if an immovable 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 relief under Rule 16.1b. (Exception – There is no relief under this Local Rule if the player chooses a line of play that is clearly unreasonable.)

6. Preferred Lies (In operation from 22nd March 2025 until further notice and ONLY when the sign is present on the 1st/10th tees)

When any part of a player's ball touches part of the general area cut to fairway height or less, including the green surrounds, the player may take free relief once by placing the original ball, or another ball, in a relief area of within 6 inches from the spot of the original ball, no nearer the hole and in the general area. The spot of the original ball must be marked before lifting.

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 breach of Local Rule – General Penalty

Additional club regulations :-

• Members in competitions have priority over non-competitors.
• In addition to the Rules of Golf, members in competitions are required to observe the competition regulations laid out under the ‘Information / Competitions Guide’ page on the club’s website.
• R & A guidelines regarding behaviour on the course must be strictly observed. 
• Practice chipping onto greens or putting green and practice driving from tees,  is prohibited at all times. Please use the designated practice areas.
• Pitch marks must be repaired and bunkers raked.
• Rakes are to be left in the centre of a bunker facing the flag.
• Trolleys and buggies must be taken outside greenside bunkers and kept off tees. 
• The club's dress code must be followed at all times

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

EMERGENCY  DEFIBRILLATOR - LOCATED IN THE MAIN HALLWAY (CALL   01253 873 661). A second machine is available during green staff hours

All measurements are to the centre of the green.

The Winter Rules below will only be in force from date stated and when the Winter Rules signs are present on the 1st and 10th tees.

Members will be notified when they are activated.

Fleetwood Winter Internal Club Rules - Winter 2024/25

(In Operation from 20th November 2024 until 21st March 2025)

NOTE: These Winter 2024/25 Rules Are No Longer In Force

These rules are reviewed each year and are in operation at the club depending on weather from October/November to February/March. 

General Play Scores H and Initial Handicap Cards will be deactivated from 20/11/2024.

There will be no competition golf played during this period that affects handicaps.

Weather conditions and maintenance will determine how many holes are open

Prior to teeing off ensure you read the RULES summary notices positioned on the 1st / 10th tee. If unsure ask in the Professional shop. The full version of these rules are defined here :-

1. When a mat is placed on the tee, with the blocks at either side of it, you MUST play from the mat - this means your feet and ball MUST be on the mat when you take your shot. You MUST NOT re-position the blocks.

2. A ball landing on the fairway MUST be lifted, cleaned and placed at least 2 PACES into the semi rough first cut, on the nearest side.

3. A ball finishing beyond the horizontal white line (approximately 30 yards from the green) on closely mown grass, but not beyond the front of the green, may be lifted cleaned and placed within six inches of its original position, no nearer the hole. For the avoidance of doubt, this defined area does not exist for Par 3s.

4. In addition to 3. above, for all greens, a ball may be preferred when it is no more than ONE CLUB LENGTH from the putting surface. A ball may be lifted, cleaned and placed within six inches, no nearer the hole.

5. When a ball comes to rest in the ROUGH, you may LIFT, CLEAN and DROP ONCE (from knee height) within one club length, no nearer the hole, whilst remaining in the rough. For the avoidance of doubt, on Par 3s, any area outside one club length from the green is classed as ROUGH.

6. When the ball is in a bunker, a player may lift, clean, rake the bunker and place the ball as close to the original position as possible and play accordingly without penalty. Where any bunker has standing water and the ball cannot be placed within the bunker, no nearer the hole, a free drop outside the bunker may be taken. This drop MUST be within two club lengths of the edge of the bunker, at the nearest point of relief, no nearer the hole.

7. A ball which finishes in a verti-drain hole on a green may be rolled out either side without penalty, no nearer the hole.

Rules Queries

Rules of Golf can be found here:   The Rules of Golf

We recommend all players download the R&A Rules of Golf app or keep a copy of the smaller "Player's Guide" with them. 

If you have a query during a competition, the professionals are your point of contact on the day. If you are unsure of a Rule of Golf, please play two balls at any time and ask for a ruling after play. 

The full Rules of Golf book is available to consult on the Competitions Noticeboard. It is the club house copy and should not be removed. 

For any other queries, please submit in writing to the Club Office.