Out of Bounds
- A ball lying outside the perimeter fence of the golf course is out of bounds.
- A ball lying beyond the white markers behind the 9th green on the designated practice area is out of bounds.
- A ball lying on the practice putting green is out of bounds.
Immovable Obstructions
The poles supporting the 5th green revetment, all posts (except white boundary posts behind the 9th green) and markers, sprinkler heads, the pole on the 3rd, the supports for ball retrievers and bridges are immovable obstructions. If your ball is not in a penalty area, drop without penalty within one club-length of the nearest relief not nearer the hole, if the obstruction interferes with the lie of the ball, stance or swing.
Reminder, there is no relief from a boundary fence, or a boundary post
Hazard Area
- The drain between the 6th and 7th holes is a (currently unmarked) red penalty area from the 7th tee to the bridge behind the Ladies’ 8th tee. The area is defined by the banks of the drain. A ball in the drain may be dropped under penalty within two club-lengths of the point where it crossed the bank of the drain.
- The willows on the 7th hole are a red penalty area marked by red stakes on one side and the burn on the other.
- The burn on the 4th-5th hole is a yellow penalty area. If your ball ends up in the burn, you must keep the burn between you and the flag when dropping under penalty.
- The drain along the out-of-bounds fence to the right of the 3rd fairway is an unmarked red penalty area.
- If it is certain that a ball has come to rest in a hazard area, but cannot be found, a drop under penalty can be taken as usual with a replacement ball.
Distance Measuring Devices
In 2019, the rules of golf changed to allow distance measuring devices unless the Club makes a local rule to prohibit them. This is just to clarify that Westray Golf Club allows the use of distance measuring devices.
However, all golfers using these devices should note that the device is not permitted to give you weather, elevation or club advice. You may use this advice during a practice round, but not during a competition or general play score round.
Most devices that give this extra information have a setting for competitions. You must ensure that this the competition mode is enabled during a competitive or handicap round. The first breach of this rule in a round is loss of hole in matchplay or 2 shots in stroke/stableford play. Second breach is disqualification. More info here.
Designated Practice Areas
The putting green and practice area behind the 9th green are designated practice areas. Balls may be hit from the practice area behind the 9th green onto the 9th fairway as long as it is safe to do so. This will not constitute practice on the course before a competition, as that only applies to strokes made on the course. A ball inadvertently hit onto the 9th green during practice will also not constitute testing the surface of the green prior to competition. Balls should not be intentionally hit from the practice area onto the 9th green. Any accidental pitchmarks on the 9th green from practice must be repaired.