Wenham Country Club Local Rules

The rules of the United States Golf Association and its Decisions will govern all play as well as those local rules listed below:

1. Preferred lies only when posted in the golf shop. When in effect the rule shall be written; preferred lie in your own fairway only, lift clean and place, one club length, no closer to the hole.

2. The embedded ball rule is in effect through the green. Through the green is any part of the golf course that is not teeing ground or a hazard. You may lift, clean, and drop the ball. If you are in the fairway you may place the ball if and only if the preferred lie rule is in effect.

3. Out of Bounds is defined by stone walls left of and behind #1, left of and behind #2, left of #7 through #11, and left of #16. Any ball that lies on or crosses the road left of #3 and #4 is out of bounds even though the ball may still lie on another part of the course. White Stakes and /or lines define out of bounds right of #1, #3, #8, #13; left of #4, #8, #11, #14, #16, #17, and #18; and behind the green on #3, #4, #6, #11, #13, and #15. The parking lot is out of bounds.

4. Stone Walls are considered integral parts of the course or boundaries. There are no Free Drops from stone walls.

5. Water Hazards are defined by yellow stakes and/or lines on hole 15 (pond to the right).

6. Lateral Water Hazards are defined by red stakes and/or lines on holes #9, #10, #11, #12, #13, left of #15 to the green, and #17.

7. Stones in bunkers are “moveable obstructions” and may lifted and removed without penalty under rule 24-1.

8. Fairway Rocks get a free drop from visible rocks in your own fairway only, 1 club length, not nearer the hole.

9. Free lift and drop from the following conditions:
  • Drainage ditches on holes #4, #5, #6, and #8. Ball may be lifted and dropped within one club length, no closer to the hole, from the nearest point of complete relief.
  • Cart paths and extensions thereof. Relief equals stance and swing. One club length not nearer the hole from the nearest point of relief.
  • Fences on holes #1, #14, and #16, when swing or stance is interfered with by the fence, the ball may be lifted and dropped in the designated drop area. (if you elect to lift the ball, you must use the designated drop area even though it may be closer to the hole)
  • Ground under repair is marked by white line and/or signs. Relief is mandatory from these conditions. Ball must be lifted and dropped within one club length, no closer to the hole, from the nearest point of complete relief.

    • There are five drop areas to the left of hole 17, should your ball end up on the cart path, and you elect to take relief, go to the nearest drop area, even though you may be closer to the hole.