Donabate Golf Club – LOCAL RULES

Drainage Works.  Please treat all drainage lines as “PLAY PROHIBITED G.U.R”. Tractor marks and associated ground works to be treated as GUR as per rule 16.1. 

General

The following 4 points are ALL to be treated as Ground Under Repair – As per Rule 16.1

     ·       Tractor and machine marks.

     ·       Disturbed ground due to the removal of fallen trees.

     ·       All newly seeded areas.

     ·       All fallen trees, fallen branches attached or cut.

New:  Autonomous Mowers / Robotic Course Equipment:

Autonomous mowers and robotic course-maintenance equipment are deemed to be outside influences and when stationary, obstructions under the Rules of Golf.

(a)  If a player’s ball in motion accidentally strikes an autonomous mower or other robotic course-maintenance equipment there is no penalty.  The ball must normally be played as it lies from where it comes to rest: Rule 11.1 which provides that where a ball in motion accidentally hits a person, animal, equipment or other outside influence there is no penalty and the ball is normally played as it lies.

(b) Ball at Rest Moved by an Autonomous Mower:  If it is known or virtually certain that a player’s ball at rest has been moved by an autonomous mower or other robotic course-maintenance equipment, there is no penalty.  The ball must be replaced on its original spot.  If the exact spot is not known, it must be estimated.  Rule 9.6 which deals with a ball moved by an outside influence.

(c)  Ball Damaged by an Autonomous Mower:  If a player’s ball is damaged by an autonomous mower during the play of a hole, the player may substitute another ball only where it can be clearly seen that the original ball is cut or cracked.  A ball may not be substituted merely because it is scratched, scraped, discoloured, or has paint damage.  Where substitution is permitted the substituted ball must be placed on the original spot or estimated spot if the original spot is not known. Rule 4.2c which allows substitution only where the ball is cut or cracked and the damage occurred during the hole being played.

(d) Stationary Autonomous Mower Interfering with Ball, Stance or Swing:  Where a stationary autonomous mower interferes with the lie of the player’s ball, the player’s area of intended stance or the player’s area of intended swing, the mower is treated as an obstruction.  Where the mower can be readily moved, it may be moved without penalty.  If the mower cannot readily be moved or should not be moved for safety or operational reasons, the player may take free relief under Rule 16.1 as for an immovable obstruction.  Free relief is taken by dropping the original ball or another ball within one club-length of the
nearest point of complete relief, no nearer the hole, and in the same area of the course.  Rule 16.1 provides free relief where an immovable obstruction interferes with the lie of the ball, stance or swing.

The club reserves the right to amend, remove or add to these local rules at any time in which event any such changes will be posted here and on the notice boards in the Clubhouse.

Course Committee July 2026