Charpter 1. Course

(Woodball Rules)

I. General Principles

1. The woodball course should be sited on a tract of grassy field or clay ground, and its fairways should be planned for games and competition.
2. On the woodball course, the natural objects such as trees, grove, low wall, and mounds can be used as obstacles or boundary lines.
3. The outer reaches of the fairway boundary can be set up as a spectator's area with reference to the natural features.
4. On the course should be set up a floor plan of layout showing the pattern of the fairways and the panorama of the woodball course.

II. Planning the Woodball Course

1. On a woodball course should be planned twelve fairways.
2. A twelve-fairway woodball course requires a total distance of at least 500 meters and more.
3. On principle, the surface of the fairway should be even and smooth.
4. The fairway is planned to be rectilinear or curviform in accordance with the natural features of the land.
5. On the fairways may be setup simple obstacles and temporary boundary lines.
6. According to the size of the woodball course, fairways of different distance are planned. Fairway distances vary from 20 to 100 meters.
7. In the event of the effect of the regional climate or the natural features of the course, the local organizer may take circumstances into consideration and make the appropriate local rules but not against the primary spirit of the Rules.

III. Specifications of the Woodball Course

1. The fairways should be maintained regularly, and grass on the fairways should be mowed closely in advanced of play.
2. The width of each fairway can be planned in accordance with its natural features, but the narrowest should not be less than 2 meters in width, and the widest should not be more than 20 meters.
3. The distance of a fairway shorter than 35 meters is called short distance, and between 36 to 65 meters called medium distance, and between 66 to 100 meters called long distance.
4. Of the twelve fairways, at least four are curving fairways; of them two are left curving fairways and two are right-curving fairways.
5. Of the twelve fairways, at least two are long distance fairways and two are short distance fairways.
6. The length of the fairway is measured from the central point of the starting line along the fairway center to the central point of the gate. This length is regarded as the actual distance of each fairway.
7. At the beginning of each fairway, should be setup a horizontal line as the initiating line, which is called starting line. The line is 2 meters in length, at each end of the line draw backwards a line of 3 meters in length so as to enclose a rectangular area, which is called the starting area.

8. At the end of each fairway should be setup a circular gate area 5 meters in diameter with the gate as its center. It may not be limited to 5 meters in case the geographical features at both sides of the gate do not permit. Between the rear of the gate area and the fairway boundary keeps a buffer zone one meter and more in width.

9. The gate is setup at the center of the gate area and may face any direction of the fairway.
10. The starting area and the gate area had better be even and smooth without any obstacles.

IV. Use of the Fairway

1. For each fairway before the game is completed, the next team is not permitted to enter the fairway and play.
2. On each fairway, only 4-5 players are allowed to play at the same time.
3. When the game is in process, no person other than the field players and the referee should be allowed to enter the fairway.
4. When a field player is hitting, other players should move back 3 meters to a safe position.
5. Where the grass cover on the fairway was scooped out by hitting, it should be flattened immediately by mending (or by trampling).
6. Before hitting, the player is not permitted to adjust the fairway in from of his ball.
7. The obstacles setup on the fairway should not be removed as one desires.
8. In the event of wind-blowing or rainy weather, the player may request to clear away branches, leaves, and waste, etc, hard materials fallen on the fairway.