GolfCross^® Rules

All the rules of golf apply in GolfCross^® , with the following additions and exceptions.

1. Teeing
The ball can be tee'd-up using a tee cup anywhere on the course (including the yard) with the exception of 'heavy rough', in a hazard or in sand bunkers when it must be played as it lies.

2. Placing
On all fairways a player may pick up and position the oval GolfCross ball within one foot (30cm) from where it lies and not nearer the goal or into the yard.
2a. A player may also use Rule 2 in the '2nd cut', 'light rough' and in the yard.
2b. In the yard the ball may be positioned but only where it lies.
2c. A ball may not be positioned in heavy rough, a hazard or sand bunkers.

3. Hitting a Moving Ball
If a ball, in play, moves after it is addressed, no penalty is incurred.

4. The yard
The yard is defined by yard markers, which encircle the perimeter of the yard at regular intervals.

4a. A ball is considered to be in the yard if any part of it lies over a string line stretched between the outside edges of two adjacent yard markers.

5. Turning Rights
When a player's ball lies within the confines of the yard that player has the right to turn the goal to one of three locked positions before taking a shot at goal.

5a. The player whose oval GolfCross ball lies farthest from the goal has first shot at goal regardless of whether their ball is in the yard or not.

5b. In stroke play, whenever a player's ball is outside the yard, they must play to the goal set in the facing (chained-up) position. This rule applies even where the goal has already been turned to accommodate a player whose ball lies within the yard and has played first because they were further away from the goal.

5c. In match play, once the goal has been turned, a player outside the yard must play to whatever position the goal is in, regardless of whether it is in the facing position or not.

5d. When playing to a goal that has not been returned to the facing position (not chained up) by previous players, players must return it to the facing position before attempting to shoot for goal. This, however, may be subject to a local rule. See also rule 9.

6. Playing Out Of Turn
If a player plays out of turn, they may be asked by another player to replay their shot without incurring a penalty. The player must be asked to replay the shot before another player has played.

7. Foul Shot
In stroke play if a player plays to the incorrect facing position from outside the yard they must replay the shot without penalty. However, if this illegal shot is not discovered until the goal has been completed, a two shot penalty is incurred.

8. The GolfCross^® Goal
The goal will have two uprights supporting a net no more than 2.4m tall rising from a crossbar approximately 1.1m from the ground. The uprights will be no more than 1.8m apart and topped with clearly visible flags. The goal will be held by a centre pole fitted with a positioning device, which allows the goal to be turned to one of three equidistant positions.

9. Scoring
A goal is scored when the ball is struck by a player and comes to rest within the confines of the goal (unless there is an appeal, see playing out of turn)

9a. If a ball enters the goal and comes out again, it is still in play.

10. Free Drops
When a ball lies within 2 club lengths of the goal centre pole, the cord, which is attached to the centre pole of the goal is used to gain relief by extending the cord over the ball and then placing the ball at the end of the cord. This procedure, on some yards, may take the ball outside of the yard stopping the player from being able to turn the goal. If for any reason the cord is missing from the goal, use the same process but allowing 2 clubs lengths.

10a. If a ball becomes lodged on the outside of the goal, between a stay and the netting, (a cling-on), a player must remove the ball by gently lifting or shaking the netting until the ball falls to the floor. At this point Rule 10., may also then apply.