Until further notice the following Winter Rules apply

The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews, Rules of Golf, Appendix 1-3

(a) Embedded Ball. A ball that is embedded in its own pitchmark in ground other than sand through the green, may be lifted, cleaned  and dropped as near as possible to where it lay and not nearer the hole without penalty. 

(b) Preferred Lies. a ball lying on a closely mown area through the green may, without penalty, be moved or may be lifted, cleaned and placed within 6 inches of where it originally lay, but not nearer the hole and not in a hazard or on a putting green.

Definition. "Through the green" is the whole area of the course except:-

(a) The teeing ground and putting green of the hole being played and

(b) All hazards on the course.

Revision of Local Rules

the following shows a restructuring and modification of the local rules which will eventually be shown on the scorecard but until such time the existing local rules still stand.

^{Local Rules}

1. ^{OUT OF BOUNDS (Rule 27)}  

^{(a)   Beyond all boundary fences, ropes or white posts.}

^{(b)   On or over the road to the right of the 13th Hole.}

^{(c)   On or over the approach road to the Clubhouse. On or over the practice putting green.} 

2. ^{WATER HAZARDS (Rule 26)}

^{(a)   Water Hazards are indicated by Yellow Posts.}

^{(b)   The ditch at the back of the 13th green, defined by Red Posts, shall be treated as a lateral water hazard.} 

3. ^{IMMOVABLE OBSTRUCTIONS (Rule 24.2)}

^{A ball may be lifted and dropped within one club length of the nearest point of relief, but not on the green, in a bunker or nearer the hole, without penalty.}

^{(a)   The Clubhouse and the paved area between the 3rd Green and the Clubhouse.}

^{(b)   Any tree attached to a stake, or that has a gaiter round it.}

^{(c)   Fixed sprinkler heads, drain covers and junction boxes.}

^{(d)   Through the green – all prepared and surfaced roads, pathways and sides thereof.  Except in the case of the 11th hole, where that part of the path, that is covered with green matting, is classed as an integral part of the course and a ball coming to rest on this surface, or the sides thereof, SHALL BE PLAYED AS IT LIES.} 

4. ^{MOVABLE OBSTRUCTIONS (Rule 24.1)}

^{(a)   Marker posts.}

^{(b)   Stones in Bunkers.} 

5. ^{ABNORMAL GROUND CONDITIONS. (Rule 25)}

^{A ball may be lifted and dropped at the nearest point of relief, not nearer the hole, without penalty.}

^{(a)   A ball lying on the bridle path, or bank of path CUTTING THE FAIRWAY on the 9th hole, or in the case of the 5th and 8th holes, BETWEEN THE WHITE POSTS.}

^{(b)   Through the green – a ball lying on ground damaged by horses, cattle, or tractor marks.}

^{(c)   If a ball comes to rest on, a mown winter green which is not in use, or a wrong green. A free drop must be taken.}

6. ^OTHER

^{(a)   Please observe all notices around the course.}

^{(b)   Players approaching the 1st green must give priority to those driving from the 2nd tee.}

^{(c)    Balls may not be followed and retrieved from properties bordering the course.}

^{(d)   The Blue and Yellow marker posts are 150 yards from the centre of the greens.}

^{(e) Rakes must be replaced IN bunkers.}