Local Rules & Terms of Competition — Hard Card

(a) A ball is out of bounds when it is beyond any wall, white stakes or line defining a boundary.

(b) A ball that comes to rest beyond any road defining out of bounds, is out of bounds, even though it may come to rest on another part of the course. Model Local Rule A-5 is in effect.

(c) Gates in Boundary Fences and Walls. Model Local Rule F-26 is in effect.

(a) Relief on Opposite Side of Red Penalty Area. Model Local Rule B-2.1 will apply only to the penalty areas that are listed on the Additional Local Rules.

(b) Opposite Side Relief Where Edge Coincides with Boundary. Model Local Rule B-2.2 will apply when a player's ball comes to rest in a red penalty area having last crossed an edge that coincides with a boundary.

(c) Dropping Zones. Dropping zones, labelled DZ and listed on the Additional Local Rules, are an additional option under penalty of one stroke. Model Local Rule E-1.1 applies.

A. Ground Under Repair

1. All areas bounded by white or blue lines.
2. Seams of Cut Turf: Model Local Rule F-7 is in effect.
3. French drains (stone-filled drainage ditches).
4. A hole made by movable obstructions (such as stakes, signs, chairs, tables, etc.) in the general area may be treated as ground under repair by the Committee but in such cases Model Local Rule F-6 is in effect prohibiting relief when only stance interference exists.
5. Animal Holes. Model Local Rule F-6 is in effect prohibiting relief when only stance interference exists.

B. Immovable Obstructions

1. White lined areas tying into an obstruction, and the obstruction itself, are treated as a single obstruction.
2. Landscaped or garden areas (and everything growing in them) that are surrounded by an immovable obstruction are treated as a single obstruction.
3. Roads and paths surfaced with woodchip or mulch. Individual pieces of woodchip are loose impediments.

Model Local Rule J-2 is in effect and is modified in this way: If a player's ball lies on the putting green and there is interference by temporary water on the putting green, the player may:

1. Take free relief under Rule 16.1d, or
2. Have their line of play squeegeed.
3. Have the putting green squeegeed when a ball lies adjacent to the putting green in any part of the course, but only when authorised by the Committee.

Such squeegeeing should be done across the line of play and extend a reasonable distance beyond the hole (that is at least one roller length) and only be carried out by the Committee or someone authorised by the Committee. The Committee may squeegee the putting green between groups.

Model Local Rule E-13 is in effect. An animal not defined as loose impediment may be removed. If the ball moves there is no penalty, and the ball must be replaced.

Model Local Rule F-5.2 is in effect:

For a ball in the general area, relief may be taken under Rule 16.1b if an immovable obstruction is (i) on the line of play, (ii) on or within two club-lengths of the putting green, (iii) within two club-lengths of the ball, (iv) the ball is in an area cut to fairway height or less, and (v) the obstruction is located in an area cut to fairway height or less.

Model Local Rule G-11 is in effect. Only Committee approved materials may be used. Approved materials include:

1. Committee Approved yardage books, since 1st January 2022.
2. Committee Approved pin position sheets, and
3. Maps of the competition course no larger than A4 sized piece of paper.

Players should refer to the additional notice regarding Model Local Rule G-11 and the special restrictions that apply to handwritten notes.

Penalty for first breach: General Penalty.

Penalty for second breach: Disqualification.

1. Bunker liners in their intended position. An exposed liner may be treated as ground under repair by the Committee, but in such cases Model Local Rule F-6 is in effect prohibiting relief when only stance interference exists.
2. Wires, cables, wrapping or other objects when closely attached to trees or other permanent objects.
3. Artificial retaining walls and/or pilings when located within penalty areas.
4. Artificial retaining walls and/or pilings when located on the edge of bunkers but such objects are not part of the bunker.

Model Local Rule E-11 is in effect but only if it is known or virtually certain that a player's ball strikes a power line located in bounds and not the supporting pole/pylon. The player must replay the stroke (see Rule 14.6). If the player replays the stroke but does so from a wrong place, they get the general penalty under Rule 14.7. If the player does not replay the stroke, they get the general penalty and the stroke counts, but the player has not played from a wrong place.

Model Local Rules F-22 (Temporary Power Lines and Cables) and F-23 (TIO's), with any additions or amendments in the additional Local Rules published, are in effect.

(a) Drones

If it is known or virtually certain that a player's ball hit a drone in flight and in bounds, the player must replay the stroke (see Rule 14.6). If the player replays the stroke but does so from a wrong place, they get the general penalty under Rule 14.7. If the player does not replay the stroke, they get the general penalty and the stroke counts, but the player has not played from a wrong place.

(a) List of Conforming Driver Heads: Model Local Rule G-1 is in effect. Penalty for making a stroke with a club in breach of this Local Rule: Disqualification.

(b) Groove and Punch Mark Specifications: Model Local Rule G-2 is in effect. Penalty for making a stroke with a club in breach of this Local Rule: Disqualification.

(c) List of Conforming Balls: Model Local Rule G-3 is in effect. Penalty for making a stroke in breach of this Local Rule: Disqualification.

(d) Replacing Club that is Broken or Significantly Damaged: Model Local Rule G-9 is in effect. (revised Jan 2025)

(a) The official time is displayed on the clock at the starting tee, or as otherwise provided by the Committee.

(b) Model Rule J-1 is in effect as follows to suspend and resume play:

1. Immediate Suspension (such as when there is imminent danger) — one prolonged note of the siren.
2. Normal Suspension (such as when the course is flooded) — three consecutive notes of the siren.
3. Resume play — two short notes of the siren.

All practice areas are closed during a suspension for imminent danger.

Before or between rounds in stroke play — Model Local Rule I-1.2 is in effect and Rule 5.2b is modified in this way: A player must not practice, roll a ball or rub the surface of the putting green on the competition course before or between rounds, but may practice on the designated practice areas.

During Round — Model Local Rule I-2 is in effect and Rule 5.5b is modified in this way: Between the play of two holes, a player must not:

• Make any practice stroke on or near the putting green of the hole just completed, or
• Test the surface of that putting green by rubbing the putting green or rolling a ball.

Model Local Rule G-6 is in effect and is modified in this way: During a round, a player must not ride on any form of motorised transportation except as authorised, or later approved by the Committee. A player (or caddie) who will play, or has played, under penalty of stroke and distance penalty is always authorised.

Exception: At some tournaments players and caddies may be permitted to ride on a shuttle between specific holes and these holes will be identified on the Additional Local Rules.

Model Local Rule L-1 is in effect and modifies the penalty for a missing signature(s) under Rule 3.3b(2).

Each hole has been given a maximum completion time based upon the length and difficulty of the hole. The maximum time allotted for the completion of 18 holes will be available prior to play from the Championship Office. Please ensure you obtain a copy of the Pace of Play Policy and read it carefully before playing. The Pace of Play Policy will be strictly enforced.

Note: Timings will be taken from the moment it is deemed by the Referee that it is the player's turn to play and he can do so freely.

The method for deciding ties is provided on the relevant Entry Form or is published for the competition.

(a) The location of the recording area will be defined on the Additional Local Rules sheet.

(b) The scorecard of a player or side is returned to the Committee 15 minutes after the scorecard is accepted into the electronic scoring system.

The competition is final when the official results have been validated in the Scoring System by the Score Recorder and approved by the Committee. In the event of a play-off, the competition is final when the play-off scores have been approved by the Committee.

Players are required to comply with and be bound by Portuguese Anti-Doping Policy (the Anti-Doping Policy).