Taranaki Golf has fielded numerous questions regarding the new Rules of Golf and none more so than the rule covering a Lost Ball or Ball Out of Bounds.

To help clubs clear this up Taranaki Golf have provided you with the following:

The Rule of Golf

Rule 18 covers taking relief under penalty of stroke and distance.

When a ball is lost outside a penalty area or comes to rest out of bounds, the required progression of playing from the teeing area to the hole is broken; the player must resume that progression by playing again from where the previous stroke was made.

This Rule also covers how and when a provisional ball may be played to save time when the ball in play might have gone out of bounds or be lost outside a penalty area.

The Local Rule

Clubs have an additional option if they wish to implement it under Committee Procedures:

E-5 Alternative to Stroke & Distance for Lost Ball or Ball Out of Bounds.

By following the link here you will be able see how this local rule is applied. https://www.randa.org/en/rog/2019/rules/committee-procedures/8e

Taranaki Golf recommends that before proceeding you consider the reasons why you would introduce this local rule and what effect putting this local rule into place would have.

Matters you may wish to consider include:

• How easily and accurately will a golfer be able to establish where their ball was lost or went out of bounds to determine the relief area?
• Is slow play an issue at your club - a reason given for introducing this local rule?
• When and how often would a golfer not be able to see whether their ball has gone out of bounds or entered an area of the course where it would be difficult to find their ball?
• Will the introduction of this rule give an unfair advantage to some golfers?

As it is not designed for Tournament Golf Taranaki Golf will not be using it in any of the events they run – Pennants, Champion of Champions, etc.