local rules and conditions of competition

updated 4-28-9

Play will be governed by the current USGA Rules of Golf and, where applicable, by the following Local Rules and Conditions of Competition.  See the event Notice to  Players for additional Local Rules and Conditions.  Appendix I refers to the Appendix of Local Rules in the USGA Rules of Golf. 

Unless otherwise noted, the penalty for breach of a Local Rule or Condition is Two Strokes in Stroke Play or Loss of Hole in Match Play.

LOCAL RULES:

1.    Out of Bounds - Defined by inside points, at ground level, of large white stakes and fence posts.  When Out of Bounds is defined by a white line the line itself is out of bounds (Rule 27).  Stakes are not Obstructions and are deemed fixed and must not be moved. 

Note: A ball which crosses a public road defined as out of bounds and comes to rest beyond that public road is out of bounds, even through it may lie on another part of the course.

2.    Water and Lateral Water Hazard Stakes and Lines

When a lateral water hazard is defined on only one side, it is deemed to extend to infinity.

When water hazards and lateral water hazards are bounded by out of bounds, the hazard margin extends to and coincides with the out of bounds line.

3.    Ground Under Repair - Areas defined by white lines.  All formally landscaped areas, French drains and active fire ant beds and mounds are deemed to be ground under repair whether marked or not.  Rule 25-1.

4.    Sod Seams, Newly Trenched Areas and Non-burrowing Animal Damage - Except in a hazard, sod seams, newly trenched areas & non-burrowing animal damage are deemed to be ground under repair.  However, interference by the condition with the player�s stance is deemed not to be, of itself, interference.  Relief is for lie of ball and area of intended swing only.  All seams within the cut turf area are considered the same seam.

5.    Wood Chips and Mulch - are loose impediments unless otherwise provided in the Notice to Players.

6.    White Lined Areas Tying Into Roads or Paths - have the same status as the roads or paths, that of Obstructions and not Ground Under Repair.  When railroad ties, curbing or the like adjoins cart paths, they are deemed to be part of the Obstruction.

7.    Staked Trees - If the lie of ball, stance and/or area of intended swing are interfered with by the stake attached to a tree, the stake and/or rope/wire is treated as an Immovable Obstruction.  Relief without penalty from the tree itself is not permitted.  Drain openings next to trees are deemed to be Immovable Obstructions.

8.    Lifting an Embedded Ball - Through the Green, a ball that is embedded in its own pitch-mark in the ground  may be lifted without penalty, cleaned and dropped as near as possible to the spot where it lay but not nearer the hole.   A player may not take relief under this rule if the ball is embedded in sand in an area that is not closely mown.  (Appendix I)

9.    Integral Parts of the Course - Includes tree wrappings, electrical wires, cable and lightning rods closely attached to trees; liners in bunkers and artificial walls and pilings located in hazards unless otherwise provided for in the Notice to Players.

10.  Permanently Elevated Power Lines and Cables on the Course - If a ball strikes an elevated line or cable, the stroke is canceled and, without penalty, the player must play a ball as nearly as possible at the spot from which the original ball was played in accordance with rule 20-5.

11.  Temporary Immovable Obstructions- (Appendix I) is in effect and includes any temporary construction for the competition.

12.  Turf Plugs on the Putting Green - In addition to Rule 16-1c, the player may repair turf plugs of any size.

13.  Aeration  Holes - Through the green, a ball that comes to rest in or on an aeration hole may be lifted without penalty, cleaned and dropped, as near as possible to the spot where it lay but not nearer the hole.  On the putting green, a ball that comes to rest in or on an aeration hole may be placed at the nearest spot not nearer the hole that avoids the situation.

14.  Signing and Returning Scorecards - Rule (6-6b) After completion of the round, the competitor should check his score for each hole and settle any doubtful points with the Committee.  He must ensure that the marker has signed the card, sign the card himself and return it to the Committee as soon as possible. Penalty for failure to do so is disqualification.

15.  Responsibility of Player - Under Rule 6-1, the player is responsible for knowing the Rules and the conditions under which the competition is to be played.

16.  Distance Measuring Devices - A player may obtain distance information by using a device that measures distance only.  If, during a stipulated round, a player uses a distance-measuring device that is designed to gauge or measure other conditions that might affect play (e.g. gradient, wind speed, temperature, etc.), the player is in breach of Rule 14-3 for which the penalty is disqualification, regardless of whether any such additional function is actually used.

CONDITIONS 

a.  Time of Starting - Optional Condition as prescribed in Appendix I is in effect.

b.  Pace of Play - (Rule 6-7 Undue Delay) A player is subject to penalty if he unduly delays play.  See separate memorandum for Pace of Play Guidelines.

c.  Suspension of Play - SUSPENSION OF PLAY FOR DANGEROUS SITUATION will be signaled by one prolonged note of the siren.  Stop play immediately; DO NOT CONTINUE.  Penalty:  DISQUALIFICATION.

SUSPENSION OF PLAY FOR ALL OTHER REASONS will be signaled by 3 notes of the siren, repeated. You may complete play on that hole or stop play. Do not start play on the next hole.

When play is suspended all practice areas are closed until the Committee deems them open.

RESUMPTION OF PLAY will be signaled by 2 short notes of the siren, repeated.

d.  Close of Competition - The competition is deemed to have closed when the award has been presented to the winner, or in the absence of a prize ceremony, when all scores have been approved by the Committee and the results announced.