A local rule is an extra rule, or a change to a Rule of Golf, that your club's committee adopts for its course or event. It carries the same weight as a Rule of Golf there. Most of the codes on a card come from the R&A's list of Model Local Rules, and the letter tells you the topic: A for boundaries, B for penalty areas, E for special relief, F for abnormal conditions, G for equipment.
The DecoderCommon local rules, by code
Clubs fill in the blanks. Where a rule below says "the named hole" or "the card sets the distance," your card has the specifics. Unless a row says otherwise, breaking a local rule costs the general penalty.
| Code | What it is called | What it lets you do, or requires | What it costs |
|---|---|---|---|
| A. Course boundaries and out of bounds | |||
| A-2 | Boundary set by a wall, road or other object | The card says which edge counts. Typical wording: the course-side edge of the wall or road is the boundary, or a ball is out of bounds once it is beyond the object. | Draws a line only |
| A-4 | Internal out of bounds | Part of the course is out of bounds only while you play one named hole (A-4.1), or only for a stroke made from that hole's teeing area (A-4.2). The stakes are boundary objects for that hole and obstructions on the others. | Draws a line only |
| A-5 | Public road through the course | A ball that comes to rest on or beyond the named road is out of bounds, even if it ends up on a part of the course that is in bounds for other holes. | Draws a line only |
| A-6 | Stakes showing out of bounds | White stakes with black tops are placed so you can see a boundary that is a painted line or a trench from a distance. The rule says whether they count as movable or immovable obstructions. | Sets the stakes' status only |
| B, C and D. Penalty areas, bunkers and greens | |||
| B-2 | Relief on the opposite side of a red penalty area | On the named hole, an extra option for a ball in a red penalty area: drop on the opposite edge of the penalty area, within two club-lengths of the point that is the same distance from the hole as where the ball last crossed the edge, and no nearer the hole than that point. It sits alongside your normal Rule 17.1d options. | One penalty stroke |
| C-1 | Edge of the bunker | The card says what marks the bunker's edge, such as stakes, a painted line or a dug groove. One model example says sand that has been prepared (raked, for instance) is part of the bunker. | Draws a line only |
| D-1 | Edge of the putting green | A painted line or dots mark the green's edge. The wording says whether the line or dots are on or off the green, and free relief is not available from them. | Draws a line only |
| E. Special relief | |||
| E-1 | Dropping zones | A marked area where you drop. E-1.1 is an extra option from a penalty area, E-1.2 is an extra option from ground under repair, and E-1.3 is the only option besides stroke and distance for a penalty area. The ball must be dropped in, and come to rest in, the zone (Rule 14.3). You do not have to stand in it, and the line is inside the zone. | One penalty stroke from a penalty area (E-1.1, E-1.3). Free from ground under repair (E-1.2). |
| E-2 | Cleaning ball | In the area the card names, you may mark the spot, lift the ball, clean it and replace it on the original spot. See winter rules and preferred lies. | Free |
| E-3 | Preferred lies | When any part of your ball touches the general area cut to fairway height or less (or the area the card names), you may place the original ball or another ball in a relief area and play it from there. The card sets the size; the model wording gives one club-length, one scorecard length or 6 inches as examples. It must be in the general area and no nearer the hole than your ball was. | Free, once |
| E-4 | Relief from aeration holes | If your ball lies in or touches an aeration hole, you may take relief under Rule 16.1b in the general area or Rule 16.1d on the putting green. There is no interference if the hole only affects your stance or area of intended swing, or on the green your line of play. | Relief under Rule 16.1 |
| E-5 | Alternative to stroke and distance for a lost ball or ball out of bounds | If your ball is not found or is known or virtually certain to be out of bounds, you may drop in a relief area between two lines from the hole: one through the point where the ball was estimated to have come to rest or to have crossed the boundary, and one through the nearest point of fairway that is not nearer the hole. You play on without going back to the previous spot. It cannot be used for an unplayable ball or a ball known or virtually certain to be in a penalty area. | Two penalty strokes |
| E-8, E-9, E-10 | No play zones, including young trees | A marked area you must not play from. If your ball lies in it, or it interferes with your stance or swing, relief is required, not optional: Rule 16.1f for an abnormal course condition, Rule 17.1e inside a penalty area. Young trees marked as no play zones work the same way (E-10.1). | You must take relief |
| E-11 | Ball deflected by power line | If your ball is known or virtually certain to have hit the named power line, tower, wire or pole, the stroke does not count and you must replay it from the spot where you made it (Rule 14.6). | The stroke does not count |
| E-12 | Compulsory fairway mats | In a part of the general area cut to fairway height or less, unless you are using a putter, you must lift your ball and place it on an artificial mat, then play it from there. | Free |
| F. Abnormal course conditions | |||
| F-1 | Ground under repair and other conditions defined by the club | The club says what counts. Example wording: ground under repair is any area encircled by a white line (or another colour), exposed rocks in fairway-height areas, or sand furrowed by water in a bunker. The colour is the club's choice, so check your card. | Relief under Rule 16.1. See free relief in golf. |
| F-2 | Limited relief for an embedded ball | F-2.1: free relief only when the ball is embedded in a part of the general area cut to fairway height or less. F-2.2: no free relief when it is embedded in stacked turf or soil faces above bunkers. | Free where allowed |
| F-5 | Obstructions close to putting greens | An extra option for a ball in the general area when an immovable obstruction is on your line of play, on or within two club-lengths of the putting green, and within two club-lengths of your ball. You must take complete relief, and there is none if you choose a line of play that is clearly unreasonable. | Relief under Rule 16.1b |
| F-17 | All roads and paths treated as obstructions | Roads and paths count as immovable obstructions even when they have no artificial surface. | Free relief under Rule 16.1 |
| G and H. Equipment, transport and help | |||
| G-1, G-2, G-3 | Lists of conforming drivers, grooves and balls | Your driver head (G-1), your other clubs' grooves and punch marks (G-2) or your ball (G-3) must meet the R&A's list or specifications. G-1 and G-2 are recommended only for events limited to highly skilled players. | Disqualification for making a stroke in breach |
| G-4 | One ball rule | Every ball you hit in the round must be the same brand and model. Recommended only for events limited to highly skilled players. | One penalty stroke for each hole in breach |
| G-5 | No distance-measuring devices | During a round you must not get distance information from an electronic distance-measuring device. It changes Rule 4.3a(1); Rule 4.3 otherwise allows distance-measuring equipment, subject to certain requirements. See the rangefinder rules chart. | See the penalty statement to Rule 4.3 |
| G-6 | No motorized transportation | You and your caddie must not ride a golf cart or other motorized transport unless the Committee authorizes or later approves it. The model wording allows exceptions such as a ride back for a player who will play again under stroke and distance, or a shuttle between named holes. | General penalty for each hole in breach |
| G-7 | No traditional spikes | You must not make a stroke wearing shoes with traditional spikes, or with spikes made wholly or partly of metal if the metal may touch the course. | See the penalty statement to Rule 4.3 |
| G-10 | No clubs longer than 46 inches | You must not make a stroke with a club, other than a putter, that is over 46 inches long. A tolerance of 0.20 inches applies above 46. Recommended only for events limited to highly skilled players. | Disqualification for making a stroke in breach. None for carrying one. |
| G-11, G-12 | Green-reading materials | G-12: you must not use written, printed, electronic or digital material to help read your line of play on the putting green. G-11 goes further and limits you to the yardage book the Committee approved. | General penalty for a first breach, disqualification for a second |
| H-1 | Caddie rules | The Committee can ban caddies, require one, or limit who may caddie for you, for example a parent or guardian. | General penalty for each hole in breach |
Source: The R&A, Rules of Golf, Committee Procedures, Section 8, Model Local Rules (A-2, A-4, A-5, A-6, B-2, C-1, D-1, E-1 to E-5, E-8 to E-12, F-1, F-2, F-5, F-17, G-1 to G-7, G-10 to G-12, H-1).
Section 8 also has rules on practising before a round, bad-weather suspensions, pace of play, scorecard responsibilities and players with disabilities. Your card may print those too.
The KeyWhat the letters mean
Model Local Rules are filed under letters. Once you know the letter you know the topic, even if the card prints only a code.
| Letter | Topic |
|---|---|
| A | Course boundaries and out of bounds |
| B | Penalty areas |
| C | Bunkers |
| D | Putting greens |
| E | Special relief procedures |
| F | Abnormal course conditions and integral objects |
| G | Restrictions on use of specific equipment |
| H | Defining who may help or give advice to players |
| I to M | Practising, bad weather and suspensions, pace of play, scorecard responsibilities, players with disabilities |
Source: The R&A, Rules of Golf, Committee Procedures, Section 8, Model Local Rules, section headings.
Using itHow to use this on the course
1. Find the local rules on your card. They may be printed on the card, handed out as a notice to players, or published online.
2. Match the code to the decoder. Use the letter first, then the number. If your card prints plain words instead of a code, match the words to the "what it is called" column.
3. Read the blanks. The model wording leaves room for the club to fill in the hole number, the colour of the stakes, the size of a relief area or the distance from a fence. Those details live on your card, not here.
4. Ask for the full text if the card is short. When a card prints a shorthand version, the full wording should be available on a noticeboard or a website.
5. Check your handicap question with the club. Whether scores count for handicap when rules like E-2, E-3, E-5 or E-12 are in play is for your club or committee to answer.
Watch forCommon mix-ups
A code on this page is not automatically in force. A committee chooses whether to adopt a Model Local Rule, and may change the wording to fit the course. If your card does not list it, it does not apply.
Preferred lies are placed, once, and not nearer the hole. E-3 says place the ball, not drop it, and the relief area must be in the general area. If you then take relief under another Rule, E-3 can be used again.
E-5 is not free, and it is not for every ball. It costs two penalty strokes. Once you put a ball in play this way, the original is out of play even if it turns up inside the three-minute search time. You cannot use it if you have already played a provisional ball under stroke and distance (see lost ball and provisional ball rules).
A dropping zone is a drop, not a stand. You do not have to stand in it, but the ball must land in it and stay in it.
A club cannot rewrite a Rule or a penalty. The R&A lists examples that are not authorized, such as stretching the three-minute search time to five or allowing more than one caddie. A round played under an inconsistent local rule is not considered to have been played by the Rules of Golf.
E-2 and E-3 cannot start mid-round in stroke play. The committee cannot introduce either once a stroke-play round has begun. In match play it can start between the play of two holes.
FAQQuick answers
What is a local rule in golf?
It is an extra rule, or a change to a Rule of Golf, that the committee adopts for a course or a competition. Local rules have the same status as a Rule of Golf for that course or competition. Unless the local rule says otherwise, the penalty for breaking one is the general penalty.
What does E-5 on my scorecard mean?
E-5 is the alternative to stroke and distance for a ball that is lost or out of bounds. For two penalty strokes you drop in a relief area between the line through where the ball was lost or went out and the line through the nearest fairway point, instead of walking back to hit again. It does not apply to a ball in a penalty area or an unplayable ball.
Do I have to follow the local rules on the card?
Yes. They have the same status as a Rule of Golf for that course or competition. Where a rule is optional for you, such as the extra relief option in B-2 or E-1.1, the wording says "may." Where it says "must," such as G-5 or a no play zone, it is not optional.
Where do I find the full wording if my card only has a short version?
The committee should make local rules available on the scorecard, in a notice to players or digitally. If the card carries only a shorthand, the full text should be on a noticeboard or a website. The pro shop can point you to it.
Can my club make up its own local rule?
Yes, within limits. A club can adopt a Model Local Rule as written, change the wording if the change fits its stated purpose, or write its own in clear and simple terms. It cannot use a local rule to waive or change a Rule of Golf or a penalty just because it prefers something different.
How is ground under repair marked at my course?
The committee decides. The R&A's example wording describes any area encircled by a white line, with a note that the club can name another colour or description. Check your card or ask the club which marking it uses. For what you can do once you are in it, see free relief in golf.