Course rules
Official rules text Explanation
33-8 Course Rules
Decisions on the rule
Decisions on sub-item
a) Principles
The Director of Golf may make course rules for exceptional local circumstances provided they are consistent with the principles set out in Appendix I of these Rules of Golf.
b) Overriding or modifying a rule
A rule of golf may not be overridden by a course rule. However, if exceptional local circumstances affect regular golf to such an extent that the course management deems it necessary to amend the rules by means of a course rule, the approval of the R&A (via the German Golf Association) must be obtained for this course rule.
Course rules are almost unavoidable. Written information on which the players can rely must already be available for the designation of course boundaries and ground in repair.
A course management that relies on the model course rules listed in Appendix I of the Rules of Golf or in the Playing and Competition Manual (Section 5) can be sure that it is acting within the permitted framework.
Course rules are not a "golf compact". It is not desirable and can lead to confusion to repeat the Rules of Golf. If a certain area on the course is described as "ground under repair", this is sufficient and it is not necessary for the relief procedure to be described. Anyone who does not know this will find all the necessary information correctly and conclusively in the rule book (and should not take part in a competition beforehand).
Status: 2018
