The Rules of Golf, as approved by the United States Golf Association and the R&A, govern play. These Local Rules and Terms of the Competition are in effect for all Miami Valley Golf events. Please refer to the Event Notice to Players and Entry Information for additions or modifications.
Complete text of the Rules and Local Rules may be found in the Official Guide to the Rules of Golf or by visiting www.usga.org/rules.
Unless otherwise noted, the penalty for breach of a Local Rule is the General Penalty.
Local Rules
- Out of Bounds — Defined by the line between the course-side points, at ground level, of white stakes and fence posts. When a penalty area is connected to the out-of-bounds edge, the penalty area extends to and coincides with out of bounds. (See Event Notice to Players for locations.)
- Alternative to Stroke and Distance for Lost Ball or Ball Out of Bounds — For two penalty strokes, a player may drop a ball in the relief area as described in Rule 14.3 and Committee Procedures 8E-5. (This option may not be available at all locations—see Event Notice to Players.)
- Penalty Areas — Defined by natural breaks in topography, mow edges, red or yellow lines, or stakes. (See Event Notice to Players.)
- Ground Under Repair — Defined by white lines.
4A. Areas of unusual damage may be declared ground under repair by the Committee. If unmarked, players may play two balls under Rule 20.1c(3) and notify the Committee.
4B. Relief from seams of cut turf — Model Local Rule F-7.
4C. French drains are ground under repair.
- White-Lined Areas Tied into Artificially Surfaced Roads or Paths — These areas are treated as a single abnormal course condition when taking relief under Rule 16.1.
- Integral Objects — Include cables, rods, wires, tree wrappings, bunker liners, and artificial walls or pilings in penalty areas or bunkers. An exposed bunker liner may be treated as GUR unless it interferes only with stance.
- Pace of Play — See separate Pace of Play Memorandum when applicable.
- Stopping and Resuming Play — Model Local Rule J-1 is in effect.
8A. Practice areas are closed during an immediate suspension.
8B. Suspension signals: one prolonged airhorn (immediate); three short airhorns (other); two airhorns resume play.
- Practice — Practice is permitted only on designated areas before and after rounds. Rule 5.2b applies.
- Relief from Aeration Holes — Model Local Rule E-4 is in effect.
- Immovable Obstructions Near Putting Green — Model Local Rule F-5 is in effect.
- Electronic Score Entry — Scores must be verbally certified before leaving the scoring area (Rule 3.3b).
Optional Course-Related Items
- Drop Zones — May be used as an additional one-stroke relief option for penalty areas where provided.
- No Play Zones — Relief is mandatory when interference exists.
- Internal Out of Bounds — White stakes define boundary objects only for designated holes.
Terms of the Competition
- Format of Play — As listed on the Event Notice to Players.
- How Ties Are Broken — USGA Regression Method, followed by hole-by-hole comparison from Hole 18 backward. If still tied, a tie is awarded.
- When Competition Is Final — When results are approved by the Committee or prizes are presented.
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