The Championships are played under the current R&A Rules of Golf, excluding equipment rules, together with the host club’s local rules and the GSA Hickory Golf Conditions of Play. The Match Committee’s decision is final.
Protecting antique equipment
Free relief may be taken from tree roots and rocks. Mark and lift the ball, then drop within one club-length, no nearer the hole.
Eligible clubs and grips
- Clubs must have wooden shafts.
- Clubheads must be original pre-1935 clubs or approved replicas.
- Leather grips and traditional rubber wrap-style grips in traditional colours may be used.
- Slip-on rubber grips are not permitted.
- Otey Crisman putters may be used where they replicate a pre-1935 putter.
- Long-shafted putters may be used provided they are not anchored and the putter head is otherwise eligible.
Approved replica club makers are Louisville Golf, Ross Baker Golf, St Andrews Golf Company and Tad Moore Hickory Classics.
Approved balls
Any ball on the current List of Conforming Golf Balls may be used. Conforming remoulded balls are permitted, as are gutta-percha and remoulded balls manufactured by McIntyre, Tad Moore and Play Hickory.
Pace of play and equipment
The maximum score on any hole is five strokes over par: 8 on a par three, 9 on a par four and 10 on a par five. A player must pick up once the maximum is reached.
Distance-measuring devices are not permitted. Motorised carts may be used, with players arranging and paying for their cart directly with the relevant host club.
Sunday championship ties
If the men’s or women’s gross championship is tied after 18 holes, the tied players will contest a sudden-death playoff over a maximum of two holes. The Match Committee will select the playoff holes on the day, subject to course availability.
If the players remain tied after the second playoff hole, the championship will be decided by a chip-off from a position selected by the Match Committee. The ball finishing closest to the hole will determine the winner. If the result cannot be distinguished, the chip-off will be repeated.
All other ties will be decided using the Golf Australia countback method.
