Local rules
Official rule text Explanation
33-8 Local rules
Decisions on the rule
Decisions on the sub-item
a) Policy
The Committee may establish Local Rules for local abnormal conditions if they are consistent with the policy set out in Appendix I of these Rules of Golf.
b) Waiving or modifying a rule
A Rule of Golf must not be waived by a Local Rule. However, if local abnormal conditions interfere with the proper playing of the game to the extent that the Committee considers it necessary to modify the Rules by means of a Local Rule, the Local Rule must be authorised by the R&A (via the German Golf Association).
Local Rules are almost unavoidable. Even to define the boundaries of the course and ground under repair, there must be written information that players can rely on.
A Committee that relies on the specimen Local Rules set out in Appendix I of the Rules of Golf or in the Playing and Competition Handbook (section 5) can be sure that it is acting within the permitted framework.
Local Rules are not a "golf compendium". Repeating the Rules of Golf in them is not desirable and can lead to confusion. If a particular area of the course is designated as "ground under repair", that is sufficient, and there is no need to describe the relief procedure as well. Anyone who does not know it will find all the necessary information correctly and conclusively in the rule book (and should not take part in a competition before then).
As of: 2018