Chapter One: Woodball Course

I. General Principles
1. The Woodball course should be sited on a tract of grassy field or clay ground, and its fairways should be designed 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 line. 3. The outer area of the fairway boundary can be set up as spectators area with reference to the natural features. 4. The fairways designed layout plan of the Woodball course should be displayed at the ideal strategic visible location.

II. Woodball Course Design

1. The design of Woodball course shall comprise twelve fairways or its multiple numbers. 2. The total length of a twelve-fairway Woodball course shall be more than 700 meters. 3. In principle, the surface of the fairway shall be even and smooth. 4. The fairway is designed to be rectilinear or curvy form in accordance with the natural features of the land. 5. The fairways may be set up with simple obstacles and 1

temporary boundary line. 6. According to the area of the Woodball course, different fairway distances are designed varies from 30 to 130 meters. 7. In the event of the effect of the regional climate or the natural features of the course, the local organizer may take due circumstances into consideration and make the appropriate local rules but not against the primary spirit of the Rules. 8. The round string used for fairway boundary line shall be 1 cm diameter in white or yellow color.

III. Specifications of the Woodball Course

1. The fairways shall be maintained regularly, and grass on the fairways shall be mowed closely in advance of playing. 2. The width of each fairway should be designed in accordance with its natural features, but the narrowest shall not be less than 3 meters in width, and the widest shall not be more than 10 meters. 3. The length of a fairway, 50 meters and under is termed as short distance, and in between 51 to 80 meters is termed as medium distance, and between 81 to 130 meters is termed as long distance. 4. Of the twelve fairways, at least four are curving 2

fairways; two of them are left-curving fairways and two are right-curving fairways. 5. Of the twelve fairways, at least two are short-distance fairways and two are long-distance fairways. 6. The length of the fairways 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 shall be set up a horizontal line as the initiating line, which is called starting line. The line is 2 meters in length and each end of the line draw backwards a line of 3 meters in length so as to enclose a rectangular area, which is called starting area.

8. At the end of each fairway shall be set up a circular gate area 5 meters in diameter with the gate as its center. Gate area 5 meters in diameter may not be applied if the geographical features at both sides of the gate have major terrain obstacles around. Between the rear of the gate area and the fairway boundary keeps a buffer zone 2 meters and more in width.

9. The gate is set up at the center of the gate area and may face any direction of the fairway. 10. The starting area and the gate area shall be even and smooth without any obstacles.

IV. Use of the Fairway

1. For each fairway before the session of the game is completed, the next group is permitted to enter the fairway and play, with no disruption caused to the on going group. 2. Only 4-5 players are allowed to play at the same time on the same fairway. 4

3. When the game is in process, no person other than the field players and the referee shall be allowed to enter the fairway. 4. When a field player is hitting, other players shall move back 3 meters to a safe position. 5. Where the grass cover on the fairway was scooped out by hitting, it shall be flattened immediately by mending (or by trampling). 6. Before hitting, the player is not permitted to adjust the fairway in front of his/her ball. 7. The obstacles set on the fairway shall not be removed. 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.

Chapter Two: Woodball Equipment

I. General Principles
1. Woodball equipment includes three pieces: the ball, the mallet, and the gate. 2. Only the Woodball Equipment, which is certified as qualified by IWbF, namely the designated brand: Hui King marked with the symbol shall be used.

II. Specifications of Equipment

1. Ball (1) The ball shall be a round-shaped sphere made of natural wood, 9.5cm 0.2cm in diameter and 350g 60g in weight. (2) On the sphere numbers and the Woodball emblem shall be marked. (3) The shape and the specifications of the ball are shown in figure below

2. Mallet (1) The mallet is T-shaped. Its gross weight is about 800 grams. (2) The mallet is 90cm 10cm in length (consisting of a handle and a bottle-shaped head). (3) The bottle-shaped mallet head is 21.5cm 0.5cm in length. The head of the bottle is 3.5cm 0.1cm in diameter, and bottom of the bottle is installed with a rubber cushion. The rubber cushion is 6.6cm 0.2cm in diameter, and 3.8cm 0.1cm in height. (4) The form and the specifications of the mallet shown 6

as below a. Mallet

b.

The bottle-shaped head

c.

Rubber cushion

3. Gate (1) The gate is in the shape with accessories such as a metal rod, spherical nuts, and two rubber tubes. (2) The gate is formed with two bottles as its stumps, which are fixed on the ground apart 15cm 0.5cm in width, measured from the inner lateral of one stump to that of the other. (3) The form of the gate as shown as below:

(4) The specifications of a set of gate as shown as below: a. Bottle

b.

Cup

c.

Metal rod

Chapter Three: Woodball Team

I. Organization of Woodball Team
1. Team members and staffs: The team consists of team leader, coach, manager, captain, and team members. 2. Each team can register 4-8 players, including the captain, for the game. 4-6 of them can play in the game and the best 4 players scores will be counted as the team result.

II. Players
1. The player who did not enter and register his/her name for the game is not permitted to play in the game. 2. Similar fashion outfits are required for players in the same 9

team, whereas the player in singles competition is required to be in casual sport wear. In playing, field player is not permitted to wear high-heel shoes and clothes unsuitable for sport. 3. Player shall bring his/her identification Tag for eligibility certification at all times.

Chapter Four: Functions and Responsibilities of Referee

I. Chief Referee
1. Understand the practice and conduct of game. 2. Assign referees to the game and notify the particulars for attention. 3. Supervise referees in the execution of the game. 4. Assist the referees to settle the problem arising in the execution of the game. 5. Check the final scores. 6. Request to convene the Protest Committee in case an appeal or protest is submitted and report the incident to the Committee. 7. Announce the rules of play and the particulars for attention to the players in advance of playing if necessary.

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II. Referee
1. Check with the name list of the players and their equipment. 2. Direct the start of playing on each fairway and manage the order of playing amongst the players. 3. Declare the conclusion of play on each fairway and the number of strokes of every player. 4. Lead the players to complete the game in accordance with the sequence number of the fairway. 5. Deal with incidents against precedent or infractions of rule during play and announce time-out and the restart of play. 6. Record the players number of strokes and infractions. 7. Check the result of play and request the player to sign his/her name for confirmation. 8. The referee onward movement shall not affect the players hitting. 9. The referee shall stand at a position where he/she can see clearly the hitting action of the player and the direction the ball goes.

III. Linesmen
1. Linesmen shall be assigned in championships to assist referees in judging the ball is out of boundary and where the exit point of the ball rolled out of boundary.

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Chapter Five: The Game

I. General Principles
1. Woodball game is conducted in accordance with the Rules & Regulations of the organizer and the Woodball Rules. 2. Every player shall complete the games through the first to the twelfth fairway or its multiple fairways as stipulated, and the final outcome is determined by the total stroke count in play. 3. In case the player does not complete the game on any one fairway or discontinues playing, his/her result will not be counted.

II. The System of Competition

1. Type of Competition (1) Single Competition: The singles as a competition unit. (2) Double Competition: Double or mixed double as a competition unit. (3) Team Competition: A team with 4 to 6 players as a team competition. 2. Method of Competition (1) Stroke Competition: The competitor who completed twelve fairways or its multiple fairways with lowest strokes shall be the winner. 12

(2) Fairway Competition: The competitor who had won a greater number of the twelve fairways or its multiple fairways with the lowest strokes shall be the winner.

III. Procedure of Competition

1. The Start of Play (1) As the referee announces the start of play, the player shall start to play in accordance with the order of playing set by organizer or draw lot basis. (2) In case the player in the game is five minutes late or refuses to play after the referee announced the start of play, his/her qualification for the game shall be cancelled. (3) As the player enters into the starting area, all the other players shall retreat to the rear of the starting area for safety sake. (4) In first shot, the ball should be positioned within the starting area and is facing toward the direction of the gate. 2. Process of Play (1) In playing, the ball in play was hit through the metal rod of the gate and was behind the cup but away from each other. It is taken as completion of one fairway competition. Footnote of Passing through the Gate: If the ball is hit through the gate and rolls back then in contact with the wooden cup, it is considered a 13

(2)

(3)

(4)

successful gating which is witnessed by the referee/linesman or the majority of players of the respective group. Otherwise, decision is made by the position of the static ball if the respective players are unable to reach an agreement. During the play, the ball which rolls out the ground outside the boundary is out of bound. Footnote of Out of Bounds: If the ball rolls out of the boundary line and rolls back then in touch with the boundary line, it is considered out of bounds which is witnessed by the referee/linesman or the majority of players of the respective group. Otherwise, decision is made by the position of the static ball if the respective players are unable to reach an agreement. When out of bounds and prior to the players next turn to strike, the ball shall be placed outside the boundary line at least a woodball length. Upon the players turn, the ball shall be taken back and placed at the position where the exit point the ball rolled out of the boundary is taken as the center with a radius of two mallet heads, but one penalty stroke is applied. If the ball in play falls or rolls into obstacles such as holes, trees, grove, pools, etc, and is not fit for hitting, it can be picked out and the entered point is taken as the center. The ball is either treated as out of bounds or can be placed backwards without limit on the fairway, but one penalty stroke is applied. 14

(5) During the play, whenever a player begins to swing his/her mallet, all the other players shall retreat to both sides of the fairway or to the rear of the player at a safety distance more than 3 meters. (6) Wherever in front or in the rear of the gate, a ball on the fairway can be hit directly to run through the gate. (7) During the play, in the event of any natural contingencies, whether the game is to continue or not will be announced by the organizer. (8) After the game on one fairway is completed, the game on next fairway then can begin. Games on all the fairways are conducted in the same manner. (9) On the next fairway the order of first shot is based on the sequent numbers as set. (10) During playing, the player may request to change his/her equipment, and equipment shall be used after inspected by the organizer. The ball in play is only changeable after each fairway played (excluding the case that the ball is damaged). (11) When hitting, the player hits the ball and simultaneously broke his/her mallet. In this case, it is counted one stroke, and the player cannot claim to hit again. (12) The ball in play was bumped by a ball from a different fairway, and it stopped at a new position, which is taken as its position. In the event of the ball being bumped out of the boundary, it is treated as out of bounds, but one penalty stroke is not applied. 15

(13) The player shall not touch the ball with any part of his/her body or his/her equipment when the ball is in play, no matter it is his, hers or others. (14) Whenever the player attacks the gate or makes a shot, he/she shall hold the grip shaft of his/her mallet but should not hold the mallet head. (15) Whenever hitting, the player shall not hit or attack the gate with his/her mallet put between his/her two legs. (16) In case there is a line marked at a distance of 5 meters away from the gate on a fairway, the player attacks directly the gate and succeeds in hitting the ball passing through the gate. Subtract one stroke from his/her stroke counts on the fairway. (17) In case on the medium and the long distance fairway is marked a line indicating 30 meters passing line, the player who hits his/her first shot and his/her ball does not go beyond the line is applied to one penalty stroke; meanwhile, if his/her ball goes out of the boundary within or beyond 30 meters passing line, it is dealt with as out of bounds. 3. Outcome of Play (1) Each player shall have his/her records of stroke count on each fairway and the total stroke count on all the twelve fairways or its multiple fairways; otherwise, his/her result shall not be calculated. (2) Decision of Outcome: A. Stroke Competition: 16

a. The outcome of twelve fairways or its multiple fairways competition, each player upon completion is decided on the stroke count. Player with the lowest strokes shall be the winner. In the event of the same number of total stroke count, the one who scores the least stroke by fairways amongst the last twelve fairways shall be the winner. Accordingly, the result shall be evaluated in the same manner. If the result is similar, then the decision shall be stated and determined by the organizer. b. The outcome of team competition is the total stroke count based on best four players in the team. The team with lowest strokes is the winner. In the event of same score, the team of which individual stroke count is the lowest is the winner. Accordingly, the team result shall be evaluated in the same manner. If the result is similar, then the decision shall be stated and determined by the organizer. B. Fairway Competition: For every game, the competitor who had won a greater number of fairways is the winner. In the event of the same number of fairways won, extra games in a given fairway assigned by the organizer goes on until the determination result is known.

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Chapter Six: Infractions of Rules in First Shot and Penalties

1. When the player is ready, the referee makes his/her hand sign of hitting. The player shall complete his/her action of first shot in ten seconds. The violator is admonished. When he/she violates the rule again, one penalty stroke is applied. 2. When hitting his/her first shot, the player shall place his/her ball on the starting line or on the ground within the starting area, and he/she hits from a stationary posture. The violator is applied to one penalty stroke. He/She hits his/her first shot again, but it is taken as his/her second stroke. 3. The player hits his/her first shot, his/her ball does not go out of the starting area. The hitting is counted as one stroke. He/She shall hit the first shot again, but it is taken as second stroke.

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Chapter Seven: Infractions of Rules in Hitting and Penalties

1. Every time the player makes a hitting, he/she shall stand on his/her feet, hold his/her mallet with his/her both hands, and put it behind the ball. He/She starts off from a motion-less posture. He/She shall not make his/her shot while walking. The violator is applied to one penalty stroke, and he/she makes his/her next hitting from the new position of the ball. 2. When hitting, the player may make some miss-hits or pre-play, warm-up, practice hitting (not to touch the ball). All the hitting are not counted. But he/she should not practice repeatedly so as to delay the game. The violator is admonished. When breaking the rule again, the player is applied to one penalty stroke. 3. When it is a players turn to hit, the player shall complete his/her action of hitting in ten seconds without delay. The violator is admonished. When breaking the rule again, he/she is applied to one penalty stroke. 4. When a player is hitting, no one is permitted to walk in or across the fairway ahead. Any player who violates is applied to one penalty stroke. 5. When a player is hitting, all other players shall not shout or speak bad language so as to affect the players hitting. The violator is applied to one penalty stroke. 19

6. When hitting, the player swings his/her mallet which merely touches or moves the ball, the swing is counted as one hitting, that is, one stroke. 7. When hitting, the player shall hit the ball with the mallet head, either the bottles head or bottom. Hitting the ball with its lateral periphery or with the shaft of the mallet is not permitted. The violator is applied to one penalty stroke and makes his/her next hitting from the new position of the ball. 8. To push the ball with the mallet is not permitted. The violator is applied to one penalty stroke and makes his/her next hitting from the new position of the ball. 9. It is not permitted to hit the rolling ball repeatedly. The violator is applied to one penalty stroke and makes his/her next hitting from the new position of the ball. 10. Whenever the player makes a shot, he/she shall hold the grip shaft of his/her mallet but not permitted to hold the mallet head. The violator is applied one penalty stroke. When the ball is successful through the gate, it will not be considered as game completed, the violator shall make his/her next hitting from the new position of the ball.

Chapter Eight: Infractions of Rules in Play and Penalties

1. The players whose ball in play on the fairway is farther away from the gate is given priority to hit, or the order of 20

hitting is directed by the referee. Any player cannot hit his/her ball at will. The violator is applied to one penalty stroke and makes his/her next hitting from the new position of the ball. 2. A player hits his/her ball in play on the fairway, and it rolls out of boundary line without touching the line is treated as out of bounds. One penalty stroke is applied. 3. During competition, if the ball is obstructed against the next player, the concerned player can always request to play first or pick up and do the marking with the permission of referee. Violating the standing order, one penalty stroke is applied. 4. The ball in play which bumped the obstacles taken as the boundary line and bounced on the fairway is not regarded as out of bounds. But a ball in play which bumped the obstacle outside of the boundary line is regarded as out of bounds and is treated as out of bounds. 5. When the player plays on the different curving fairways, the ball shall be proceeded on the fairway. Hitting the ball flying over the area out of the boundary for cutting off a corner is not permitted. The player breaks the rule; his/her ball is treated as out of bounds. 6. When the balls in play on the fairway bumped each other by hitting: (1) The ball that was bumped does not go out of the boundary; its new position is in principle recognized. 21

In the event of the ball passing through the gate, it is regarded as the completion of one fairway competition. But in the event of the ball going out of the boundary, it is treated as out of bounds but one penalty stroke is not applied. (2) If the hitters ball goes out of the boundary after bumping, it is treated as out of bounds, and the hitter is applied to one penalty stroke. (3) If the hitters ball remains on the fairway after bumping, the position where it stops is taken as its new position. 7. In the process of play, if the player is against sportsmanship, he/she is admonished and requested to behave; at the same time, he/she is applied to one penalty stroke. The repeat of infraction will result in cancellation of the violators qualification for the game. 8. When the player touches his/her own or others ball with any part of his/her body or with the equipment he/she is holding when the ball is in play, he/she is applied to one penalty stroke and the position when the ball stops is taken as its new position. 9. The player swings his/her mallet and hits without observing rules or hits his/her ball with his/her mallet between his/her two legs, he/she is applied to one penalty stroke, and he/she shall hit his/her next shot from the new 22

position of the ball. (If the ball passes through the gate, it is not recognized) 10. During playing, the player may request to change his/her equipment, and equipment shall be used after inspected by the organizer. The ball in play is only changeable after each fairway played (excluding the case that the ball is damaged). The violator will be disqualified.

Chapter Nine: Infractions of Rules in Gate Area and Penalties

1. The referee can decide the order of hitting according to the condition of the balls within the gate area. In principle, the ball nearer to the gate is given priority. The player who breaks the rule is applied to one penalty stroke. If the ball passes through the gate, it is not recognized, and he/she shall hit the ball from its new position. 2. The player cannot damage the gate intentionally. The violator is admonished and applied to one penalty stroke. The repeat of infraction will result in cancellation of the violators qualification for the game.

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Appendix
I. Score Card

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II.

Woodball Technical Terms Course Gate Ball Mallet Mallet Head Fairway First Shot Hitting Touch Double Contact Gate Area Pick Up Cleaning the Ball Obstacle Moving the Ball Stopped Time Out Order of Playing Out of Bounds Par Starting Line Starting Area 5 Meters for Attacking Line 30 Meters for Passing Line 25

III.

The Hand Signs of the Referee 1. Start to play: Extend the arm forward and incline downward about 45 degrees, the palm open and the fingers drawn close to each other, pointing to the starting line and at the same time call aloud, start play

2. Hand sign of hitting: Extend the arm upward to the shoulders height, palm facing down and the index finger pointing to the direction of the hitter to the gate and moves horizontally several times.

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3. Out of bounds: First with the thumb upward, bend the arm slightly and swing backward from the front over the shoulder to a stop behind the head. Swing several times to show the ball being outside the boundary.

4. Infractions: Raise the arm upward and straight closely to the ear and face to the hitter.

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5. Time out: Make a T type with both palms in front of the breast to show time out.

6. Through the gate: Extend the arm straight with the thumb upward and point to the hitter to show the ball he/she hit passing through the gate successfully and to express congratulation and admiration to the hitter.

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