Hole 01 · Par 4 · 321 m
Der Auftakt
Hole 1 has no local rule of its own — the general set applies here.
Local rules & etiquette
It is not only gravity that applies here.
18 holes, 14 local rules, a few things that go without saying. This page shows them where they apply — hole by hole.
01The tool
The rules lie
out on the course.
Seven of the 14 local rules name a specific hole — the rest hang on visible things: post colours, paths, the electric fence. Tap a hole and the map travels there and shows what applies. Every panel can be sent on: the link remembers the hole.
Hole 02 · Par 5 · 459 m
Schindberg
Hole 2 has no local rule of its own — the general set applies here.
Hole 03 · Par 3 · 205 m
Der Brocken
Hole 3 has no local rule of its own — the general set applies here.
Hole 04 · Par 5 · 452 m
The arc
Hier gilt
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Local rule 1d
No-play zone left of hole 4
White posts with green caps define the boundary left of hole 4. The zone is a no-play zone: entry forbidden.
Hole 05 · Par 3 · 171 m
Hochfläche
Hier gilt
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Local rule 6
Immovable obstructions
Immovable obstructions include all power poles, plantings marked with stakes, collars, tapes or ropes, the insect hotel on hole 5, and all roads, ways and paths — even without an artificial surface. Relief under rule 16.1.
Hole 06 · Par 3 · 139 m
The short one
Hole 6 has no local rule of its own — the general set applies here.
Hole 07 · Par 4 · 287 m
Die Verführung
Hole 7 has no local rule of its own — the general set applies here.
Hole 08 · Par 5 · 452 m
Die Prüfung
Hier gilt
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Local rule 4
Penalty areas (rule 17)
Yellow or red posts or lines; the line applies. At hole 8 a provisional ball is allowed under an amended rule 18.3, with all the options of rule 17.1d: if the original ball is found in the penalty area within three minutes, the player may choose to play it as it lies or to carry on with the provisional ball; otherwise the provisional ball becomes the ball in play.
Hole 09 · Par 4 · 328 m
Der Neustart
Hier gilt
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Local rule 1b
The boundary right of hole 9
The boundary right of hole 9 applies only when playing hole 9.
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Local rule 7
The wooden bridge at hole 9
For the wooden bridge in the penalty area at hole 9 there is free relief under rule 16.1b: the reference point must lie in the penalty area — one club length, no nearer the hole, complete relief.
Hole 10 · Par 4 · 279 m
Waldblick
Hier gilt
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Local rule 5
The wall in front of the green on hole 10
The red penalty area in front of the green on hole 10 is defined by the outer edge of the wall.
Hole 11 · Par 3 · 153 m
Der Riegel
Hole 11 has no local rule of its own — the general set applies here.
Hole 12 · Par 5 · 457 m
Engelmeß
Hole 12 has no local rule of its own — the general set applies here.
Hole 13 · Par 5 · 495 m
Der Marathon
Hole 13 has no local rule of its own — the general set applies here.
Hole 14 · Par 3 · 127 m
Das Fenster
Hole 14 has no local rule of its own — the general set applies here.
Hole 15 · Par 4 · 258 m
Sonnenhang
Hole 15 has no local rule of its own — the general set applies here.
Hole 16 · Par 3 · 154 m
Das Inselgrün
Hole 16 has no local rule of its own — the general set applies here.
Hole 17 · Par 5 · 418 m
Die Gerade
Hier gilt
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Local rule 1c
The boundary right of hole 17
The boundary right of hole 17 applies only when playing hole 17.
Hole 18 · Par 4 · 310 m
Das Finale
Hole 18 has no local rule of its own — the general set applies here.
What applies everywhere
- Out of bounds (rule 18.2) — White posts or white lines mark out of bounds; where both are present, the lines take precedence.
- No-play zones (rule 2.4) — Stakes with green heads mark no-play zones. The ball must not be played as it lies — relief under rule 16.1f or 17.1e is compulsory, even if only your stance or swing is affected (16.1f(2)). Young trees with wooden support stakes are no-play zones as well: outside a penalty area, relief under 16.1f; inside, under 17.1e or without penalty under 17.1e(2).
- Ground under repair (rule 16.1) — Marked by white outlines and/or blue stakes; the line applies. This includes freshly laid turf and drainage trenches filled with gravel. Marked no-play zones: relief under 17.1e(2) is compulsory. There is no interference if an animal hole only interferes with your stance.
- Overhead power lines and pylons — If it is known or virtually certain that the ball hit an overhead line or its pylon within the course boundaries, the stroke does not count: the player must replay from the spot of the previous stroke without penalty (rule 14.6).
- Electric fence and animal enclosure — If the ball lies on the course within two club lengths in front of the fence or entirely inside the enclosure, there is free relief under rule 16.1. Reference point: two club lengths from the fence, equally far from the hole.
- Stone piles and larger single stones — Stone piles and larger single stones are part of the course.
- Suspension of play (rule 5.7) — One long note: a dangerous situation, play is to be stopped at once. Three short notes, repeated: any other suspension. Two short notes, repeated: resumption. A breach of rule 5.7b: disqualification. Stopping on your own judgement in case of lightning is allowed at any time (5.7a); during a suspension for danger, all practice areas are closed as well.
- Electronic communication devices — Seriously disrupting play with an electronic communication device can be treated as a serious breach of etiquette and punished with disqualification.
- Standards of conduct (rule 1.2) — Sanctions are at the committee’s discretion: a penalty stroke, the general penalty or disqualification. Misconduct is, for example, failing to care for the course or using vulgar language; serious misconduct is, for example, dishonesty, endangering others or wilful damage.
- The general penalty — The penalty for breaching a local rule, unless stated otherwise: the general penalty — loss of hole in match play, two penalty strokes in stroke play.
Tap a hole or pick one from the number strip — the panel shows what applies there.
02The hinge
The course speaks
in six colours.
The same five colours mark the posts outside, the pins on the map above and the stages of the round below. Anyone who can read them needs no rule book in their pocket.
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White
Out of bounds (rule 18.2). The line beats the post; penalty: stroke and distance.
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White with a green cap
Boundary and no-play zone at once — left of hole 4. Entry forbidden.
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Green head
No-play zone (rule 2.4). The ball must not be played as it lies — relief under 16.1f or 17.1e is compulsory.
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Blue
Ground under repair (rule 16.1), white outlines too. The line beats the post.
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Yellow / red
Penalty area (rule 17). The line beats the post; red also allows lateral relief.
03The showpiece
A round of
good manners.
Nobody has ever been thrown off the course for playing badly. What you can be thrown off for is here — a round in six stages.
Stage 1
Before the start
- Every round needs a booked tee time — via PC CADDIE or by phone.
- Play starts at tee 1 or tee 9; tee 9 can be booked at most 2 days ahead, and not at prime time at weekends or on public holidays.
- At most 4 players per group.
- Clothing appropriate to the sport — blue jeans yes, metal spikes no.
Stage 2
On the tee
- No practice swings on the tee.
- Only play a par-3 hole once the green and the hole are clear — breach: being sent off and/or barred from the course.
- Flights coming from hole 8 have priority on tee 9.
Stage 3
Out on the hole
4:30
- At most 4 hrs 30 min for 18 holes as a four — the target times for each hole are on the scorecard.
- Ready golf wherever possible (rule 6.4b(2)).
- Playing through: you have lost touch as soon as more than one whole hole is clear ahead.
- Single players have no right to play through and are taken along.
- Replace your divots.
Stage 4
Cart, trolley, dog
- Only drive on the fairways where you have to — never between bunker and green, not with a trolley either; keep clear of the aprons.
- E-cart only with a class B or BF17 driving licence — not for children and young people.
- Dogs are allowed on a lead; waste bags hang at tees 1 and 9.
Stage 5
Bunker and green
- Rake the bunker as you leave it.
- Repair pitch marks — your own and one more.
- Lay the flagstick down, do not drop it.
- No putting out again in a competition.
Stage 6
And afterwards
- Hand the scorecard in at reception — for registered private rounds during opening hours, otherwise into the letterbox.
- Throwing a club means being sent off the course on the spot. That really is in the course regulations.
04Frost and winter
When the ground is frozen,
play rests.
Playing on frozen ground is strictly forbidden — and the reason is out there on the grass: frozen blades break under every step, turf diseases such as snow mould and dollar spot get into the wounds, and footprints stay visible as brown patches well into the spring.
Below 4 °C grass stops growing — whatever gets damaged now will not recover. A golfer with a trolley puts weight on about 10 times the area a walker does, a cart about 50 times; the ground pressure of a cart is around twice that of a trolley.
05The wording
The 14 local rules
in full.
Play is under the Official Rules of Golf (including the Rules of Amateur Status) and the local rules of Golfclub Gerhelm. Special local rules are posted on the notice board on the day of play — the player carries the responsibility for any disadvantage from not reading them.
Stand 16.03.2026
Local rules as a PDF
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1a
Out of bounds (rule 18.2)
White posts or white lines mark out of bounds; where both are present, the lines take precedence.
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1b
The boundary right of hole 9
The boundary right of hole 9 applies only when playing hole 9.
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1c
The boundary right of hole 17
The boundary right of hole 17 applies only when playing hole 17.
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1d
No-play zone left of hole 4
White posts with green caps define the boundary left of hole 4. The zone is a no-play zone: entry forbidden.
-
2
No-play zones (rule 2.4)
Stakes with green heads mark no-play zones. The ball must not be played as it lies — relief under rule 16.1f or 17.1e is compulsory, even if only your stance or swing is affected (16.1f(2)). Young trees with wooden support stakes are no-play zones as well: outside a penalty area, relief under 16.1f; inside, under 17.1e or without penalty under 17.1e(2).
-
3
Ground under repair (rule 16.1)
Marked by white outlines and/or blue stakes; the line applies. This includes freshly laid turf and drainage trenches filled with gravel. Marked no-play zones: relief under 17.1e(2) is compulsory. There is no interference if an animal hole only interferes with your stance.
-
4
Penalty areas (rule 17)
Yellow or red posts or lines; the line applies. At hole 8 a provisional ball is allowed under an amended rule 18.3, with all the options of rule 17.1d: if the original ball is found in the penalty area within three minutes, the player may choose to play it as it lies or to carry on with the provisional ball; otherwise the provisional ball becomes the ball in play.
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5
The wall in front of the green on hole 10
The red penalty area in front of the green on hole 10 is defined by the outer edge of the wall.
-
6
Immovable obstructions
Immovable obstructions include all power poles, plantings marked with stakes, collars, tapes or ropes, the insect hotel on hole 5, and all roads, ways and paths — even without an artificial surface. Relief under rule 16.1.
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7
The wooden bridge at hole 9
For the wooden bridge in the penalty area at hole 9 there is free relief under rule 16.1b: the reference point must lie in the penalty area — one club length, no nearer the hole, complete relief.
-
8
Overhead power lines and pylons
If it is known or virtually certain that the ball hit an overhead line or its pylon within the course boundaries, the stroke does not count: the player must replay from the spot of the previous stroke without penalty (rule 14.6).
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9
Electric fence and animal enclosure
If the ball lies on the course within two club lengths in front of the fence or entirely inside the enclosure, there is free relief under rule 16.1. Reference point: two club lengths from the fence, equally far from the hole.
-
10
Stone piles and larger single stones
Stone piles and larger single stones are part of the course.
-
11
Suspension of play (rule 5.7)
One long note: a dangerous situation, play is to be stopped at once. Three short notes, repeated: any other suspension. Two short notes, repeated: resumption. A breach of rule 5.7b: disqualification. Stopping on your own judgement in case of lightning is allowed at any time (5.7a); during a suspension for danger, all practice areas are closed as well.
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12
Electronic communication devices
Seriously disrupting play with an electronic communication device can be treated as a serious breach of etiquette and punished with disqualification.
-
13
Standards of conduct (rule 1.2)
Sanctions are at the committee’s discretion: a penalty stroke, the general penalty or disqualification. Misconduct is, for example, failing to care for the course or using vulgar language; serious misconduct is, for example, dishonesty, endangering others or wilful damage.
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14
The general penalty
The penalty for breaching a local rule, unless stated otherwise: the general penalty — loss of hole in match play, two penalty strokes in stroke play.
When play is suspended the course speaks in notes (rule 5.7 — a breach of 5.7b: disqualification):
- 1 long note A dangerous situation — stop play at once; all practice areas are closed too.
- 3 short notes, repeated Any other suspension of play.
- 2 short notes, repeated Resumption of play.
06The course regulations
Ten points of
course regulations.
Stand 15.03.2026
Course regulations as a PDF
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1
Who may instruct
The greenkeepers have priority and may give instructions. Professionals of the Frankengolfschule have priority while teaching; the marshal and the captain of play may give instructions.
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2
Marshal
The marshal takes charge of the course, checks playing rights, regulates the flow of play and sees that the course regulations, etiquette and local rules are kept.
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3
Tee times compulsory
Every round needs a booked tee time. Bookings go through PC CADDIE or by phone.
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4
Groups and the right to play through
More than four players per group are not entitled to play. The faster group has priority once the slower one has lost touch; touch counts as lost as soon as more than one whole hole is clear ahead. Single players have no right to play through and may be put into flights; groups of two and three take waiting single players along.
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5
Pace of play
18 holes as a four: no more than 4 hrs 30 min. The target times for each hole are on the scorecards. Play briskly and, wherever possible, ready golf (rules 5.6b and 6.4b(2)).
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6
Playing out on the course
On par-3 holes you do not tee off until no group or person is on the green or the hole. Penalty: being sent off and/or barred from the course.
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7
Starting at tee 1 and tee 9
Play starts only at tee 1 or tee 9. 9-hole rounds from tee 9 can be booked only 2 days ahead; at weekends and on public holidays there is no start at tee 9 at prime time. Flights coming from hole 8 have priority on tee 9.
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8
Electric carts
Driving on the fairways is to be kept to what is necessary; do not drive between bunkers and green, and keep clear of the aprons. Driving by children and young people is forbidden; a driving licence of at least class B or BF17 is required. The driver is liable for damage and reports it at once. Carts are allowed in competitions unless the entry terms say otherwise; a ban because of the weather is possible. They are allocated in order of reservation.
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9
Caring for the course
No practice swings on the tee, replace your divots, rake the bunkers, repair pitch marks carefully, lay the flagstick down. Do not take trolleys between bunker and green or a water hazard. Throwing a club means being sent off the course on the spot. Dogs are allowed on a lead; please clear up after your dog, bags hang at tees 1 and 9.
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10
Clothing
Metal spikes are forbidden. Clothing should be tasteful and appropriate to the sport — no hot pants, spaghetti straps, tracksuits or T-shirts.
Also applies
Playing out of one bag: Several players playing out of a single bag is not allowed; a playing ban or being sent off the course remain reserved.
Blue jeans: Blue jeans are allowed — but please no torn trousers.
07The reference
Competitions &
registered private rounds.
Deliberately set as a reference work: the numbers people really look for. The full wording is in the relevant PDF.
General competition terms
- Entries via PC CADDIE online; tee times by text message, draw online
- Withdrawal after the entry deadline: a flat 5,00 € plus any food and drink included
- Standard tees: men yellow, women red
- Practice on competition day, before and between rounds, is not allowed — 1st breach general penalty, 2nd breach disqualification
- Hand the scorecard in at reception without delay — it counts as handed in only once the bearer has left reception
- Prize giving afterwards — anyone absent loses their claim to the next player down
RPR conditions
- Register in person or by phone 60 minutes before the round starts
- Entry fee 10,00 €
- Marker: handicap index 36,0 at most
- Individual stroke play under Stableford, 9 or 18 holes — tees yellow for men, red for women
- Only on days set up as counting for handicap, ask at reception beforehand; no right to play through
- Scorecard by 9:30 the following day, otherwise no return: every hole is scored as a net double bogey
You now know
how golf is played at Gerhelm.
Rules and etiquette are what tell a well-kept course from any old one. The rest is a tee time.
Book a tee time
Questions? Reception will help: +49 9152 398