LOCAL RULES AT THE OTEPÄÄ GOLF COURSE

1) Out of bounds (rule 18.2)
The out of bounds is marked with white poles on holes 1, 3, 5, 9, 14, 17, 18. The edge of the out of bounds is defined by a line on the ground between the sides of the piles and the piles themselves are in out of bounds.

The fairway on the 18th hole is out of bound in relation to the 10 hole throughout.

2) Penalties (rule 17)
Penalty areas are defined by either red or yellow flags. The boundary of the penalty area is defined by a line on the ground between the sides of the stakes on either side of the pitch and extends to any part of the penalty area.
If the ball last crossed the boundary edge of the red penalty area on lanes 1, 4, 8, 9, it is possible to take a side clearance from the opposite side of the red penalty area from a point equidistant from the flag as far as the point of entry of the ball (local rule example B-2) as an additional clearance (adding one penalty stroke). From the penalty areas of holes 7, 16 and 17, as an additional exemption (by adding one penalty shot), it is possible to drop the ball in the drop zone marked DROP ZONE or DZ. The drop area is the exemption area as defined in rule 14.3.

3) Playing a reserve ball in the penalty area.

If a player does not know whether his ball is in the penalty area of the 9th hole, they may play a spare ball as modified in Rule 18.3. as follows:
A player may use the penalty-and-repeat shot release option (Rule 17.1.d(1)), the flag-line-back release option (Rule 17.1.d(2)) or the side release option from the opposite side of the red penalty area (Rule 17.1d(3)) to play a reserve ball. If the drop zone (local rule example E-1) is one of the possible options in this penalty area, the player may also use this option.
If a player has played a reserve ball under this rule, they cannot use any of the following Rule 17.1. appropriate options that apply to the original ball.
In deciding when a reserve ball becomes a ball in play or when a reserve ball is abandoned, Rules 18.3c(2) and 18.3c(3) shall apply except in the following circumstances:
If the original ball is found within the three-minute search time – the player can choose whether:
– play on the original ball which is in the penalty area (in this case, no spare ball is played). Shots made with the reserve ball before it is abandoned (including shots made with the reserve ball and penalty shots taken while playing with the reserve ball) do not count,
or play on to a spare ball (the original ball is not played).
If the original ball is not found within the three-minute search time or if it is known or basically certain,
that the ball is in the penalty area – the reserve ball becomes the ball in play.

4) Preferred lie areas

If a player’s ball is in a forward area that is mowed at or below the height of the feeder, the player may use the Preferred Lie Rule (Local Rule Sample E-3) and place the ball within the SCORECARD no closer to the flag.

Rules for interrupting and resuming play

If the Committee announces an immediate stop of play in the event of an imminent threat, all players must stop play immediately and the player is prohibited from taking the next shot until the Committee resumes play. In case of danger, players are alerted by the signal with ONE LONG sound. For all other interruptions, three short beeps. In both cases, the resumption of the game is signalled by the sound of TWO SOUNDS.

Penalty for breaking a local rule: A player will receive a general penalty for each lane where they break a rule. If the infringement occurs between two holes, it will be applied on the next hole.

5) Abnormal ground conditions (i.e. immovable obstacles) (rule 16).

Repair areas are defined by blue stakes or a white (blue) line. Areas of bunkers where water has washed away sand are repair areas.

All sprinklers, distance signs, pavilions, “next road” signs, fences, etc. are mobile

obstacles.

The 9th hole stone wall is an integral part of the course.

The piles of branches in the penalty areas are an integral part of the course.