Effective January 9, 2014, PCGC now has a local rule regarding the flower beds on holes 17 and 18.
The flower beds surrounding the green at Hole 17, the tee box and fairway at 18 are all considered ground under repair from which play is prohibited. If a player’s ball lies in the area, or if it interferes with the player’s stance or the area of his intended swing, the player must take relief under Rule 25-1. The player must take a drop, without penalty, within one club-length of the point of entry or drop the ball in the designated drop area. This rule will stay in effect until the ropes are removed.
Note: This rule states the player must take a drop. While it is generally optional for a player to play from an area designated as ground under repair, the committee has prohibited play from this specific ground under repair. The rule is to protect the flower beds from any damage.
If a player plays from these flower beds then the penalty is:
- Match Play – loss of hole
- Stroke Play – two strokes
This rule was updated from its original language (limited the flower beds to hole #17).