A Member's Questions Regarding the Rules of Golf:

Recently Club Captain, Gary Hunt, received an email from one of our members regarding some rule violations that appear to be quite frequent.  The following may assist members with their understanding of some rules:

• Firstly - the rocks in the hazards have been treated by some players as loose impediments such as the ones in hazards at 4, 6, 8 and 16.  It has been my view that these rocks would be regarded as integral objects and cannot be regarded as movable obstructions (or loose impediments).  The rules of golf do not provide definitive guidelines but it does indicate that natural objects solidly embedded to the ground which cannot be picked out easily are not loose impediments and it also mentions that integral objects cannot be treated as movable obstructions.

Gary's Response:

It is a little bit grey in how easy is 'easy'.  Some of the big rocks/stones may roll away easily - is that fair?  I don't think so, but we use the rules to our advantage when we can.  So my thought would be if a rock or big stone or a stick or large tree branch for that matter can be moved without any effort and is easily moved that is okay.  If in the process the ball moves - this would constitute a penalty of one stroke and the ball must be replaced where it was.

• Secondly - are the blue broken lines meant to be the absolute indicator of the fairway/rough boundaries?  If a player feels that the fairway has been incorrectly marked and the grass has been mown short as if fairway outside of the blue line, can they prefer their lie?

Gary's Response:

No.  Inside the dotted line is correct even if the fairway may look like it extends out past the blue line.  If, for some reason there is no blue line, 'closely mown' would indicate fairway (but our Greens staff team do not make mistakes).

• Thirdly - on the subject of preferred lies, it seems that many players are unaware that the ball must be marked before being lifted and cannot be moved again after being placed on the ground.  Sadly I have observed very few golfers marking their ball - even in bunkers.  What too often happens is that because there is no reference point they could be placing the ball more than 30cm from the original point and closer to the hole (which often happens).  I have even seen players roll the ball with their club to a preferred lie.  I know in the general scheme of things it probably would not make much difference but these guys can be penalised one shot for failing to mark the ball.

Gary's Response:

While preferred lies are in place, players MUST mark their ball at all times prior to preferring their ball (including this rare event in bunkers).

No Outside Alcohol Permitted

We have a strict no outside alcohol policy.

You may not bring or consume alcohol on the course not purchased from Camden Golf Club.

Bringing outside alcohol onto our premises violates RSA laws and is not permitted by our licensing agreement under the Registered Clubs Act 1976.  Breaching of this agreement could see the Club fined or lose its licence.

Please purchase all alcohol from the Bar or the Halfway House.

Please Note:  Extra measures have been put in place to help monitor this situation.