COMMON U.S.G.A. GOLF RULES

www.usga.org/rules or www.rulesofgolf.com

USGA Rules Govern All Play:  The rules of golf are published in the USGA The Rules of Golf book.  For our golf program to thrive it is essential that all members who participate, regardless of skill level, abide by The Rules of Golf at all times.  Members must be familiar with the rules of the game and should carry a copy of The Rules of Golf with them during play.  When competing in a golf tournament there is an obligation – even a responsibility – to the rest of the field to see the rules are followed completely.

An explanation of some common golf rules:

Out of Bounds:  (Definition pg. 14, Procedure Rule 27) If a ball is hit out of bounds, a player must replay the last stroke under a penalty of one shot.  For example if a player hits a ball out of bounds from the tee, the next stroke must be played again from the teeing ground and will be the third stroke. This is a stroke and distance penalty.

Lost Ball:  (Rule 27) If a ball is lost, a player must replay the last stroke under a penalty of one shot.  This is a stroke and distance penalty.  A player has 5 minutes to search for his/her ball.  If play is delayed while searching please allow players from behind to play through.  If the original ball is found within the five minutes, it must be played.

Provisional Ball:  (Rule 27) If a player thinks their ball is either lost or out of bounds they should play a provisional ball.  Announce your intention beforehand and play the ball until you reach the point where the original ball is likely to be.  If the original ball is found (within 5 minutes) continue play with that ball.   If not found, continue play with the provisional ball with a penalty of one stroke.

Embedded Ball: (Rule 25-2, App I Part A 4. a. & Part B 4.a.) A ball embedded in it’s own pitch mark anywhere on the course (except in a hazard) may be lifted cleaned and dropped as near as possible to where it lay, without penalty

Water Hazards:  (Rule 26) Players are encouraged to become familiar with the difference between:

• Water Hazards (Yellow stakes and lines).
• Lateral Water Hazards (Red stakes and lines).
• If you are in a water hazard and cannot play the ball, your  options, with a penalty of one stroke are as follows:

Relief from All Water Hazards: (Yellow or Red stakes)

• Option 1: Drop a ball as near as possible from where the last shot was played.
• Option 2: Drop a ball from behind the hazard keeping the point at which the original ball last crossed the margin of the hazard between the hole and the point at which the new ball is to be dropped.  There is no limit as to how far behind the hazard you may drop.

Relief from Lateral Water Hazards Additional Options: (Red)

• Option 3: Drop a ball within two club-lengths and no nearer to the hole from the point where the original ball last crossed the margin of the hazard.
• Option 4: Drop a ball on the opposite (lateral) margin of the hazard equidistant from the hole.

Water Hazard Hints:   If you are getting relief from a Water Hazard (Yellow stakes) and are not hitting the next shot over at least a small portion of the hazard, you are probably dropping incorrectly.  You may only take a lateral drop from a Lateral Water Hazard (Red stakes).

Ball Comes To Rest On The Wrong Green:  (Rule 25-3)  A player must not play a ball resting on a putting green other than that of the hole being played.  The ball must be dropped, without penalty, within one club-length of the nearest point of relief that is not on a putting green or in a hazard or closer to the hole.  The ball may be cleaned when lifted.

Stones in Bunkers: (Rule 24-1, App. I Part A 5. b. & Part B 5) Stones are, by definition, loose impediments.  When stones in bunkers may represent a danger to players, our local rule states stones in bunkers are movable obstructions. If the ball moves as a direct result of removing the stone, there is no penalty and the ball is replaced in the original spot.  However, when a player’s ball is in a hazard other than a bunker, a stone lying in or touching the hazard may not be touched or moved.

Relief from Immovable Obstructions:  Except in a water hazard or lateral water hazard (Rule 24-2) a player may obtain relief from an immovable obstruction with no penalty. Drop the ball within one club length of the nearest point of relief no closer to the hole.  There is no line of sight relief from an immovable obstruction.

Irrigation Areas on the Course: (Rule 24-2)

         May drop ball one club length, from nearest point of relief, no nearer the hole – without  penalty.

Cart Paths & Foot Paths with Gravel: (Rule 24-2)

• Artificial surfaces including the sides of roads and paths.
• Player MAY take relief – without penalty.
• One club length – from nearest point of relief – no nearer the hole.

Service Roads and Pathways: (Rule 24-2)

• Artificial surfaces including the sides of roads and paths.
• Player MAY take relief – without penalty.
• One club length – from nearest point of relief – no nearer the hole.

Bridge over Water Hazards: (Rule 24-3b-iii)  A bridge is an obstruction and is considered part of the hazard, there is no free relief from an obstruction in a water hazard.  If you choose to play the ball off the bridge you may ground the club, otherwise drop the ball under penalty according to the options for water hazards.

Casual Water on the Course: (Rule 25)

Player may take relief for swing and stance – without penalty.

One club length – from nearest point of relief – no nearer the hole.

Sand Bunker with casual water – must drop ball in the sand. 

Relief from Unplayable Lie:  (Rule 28)  The penalty is one stroke and the player has three options:

Option 1: Drop a ball within two club lengths of where the ball lies, no nearer the hole.

Option 2: Drop a ball keeping the point of the original lie between the ball to be dropped and the hole.  There is no limit as to how far back you can go.

Option 3: Drop a ball as near as possible to the spot where the previous stroke was played.

Lightning:  (Rule 6-8 and App. I-5)  If the siren sounds for an approaching storm, players must cease play immediately and seek shelter.  Play may not begin again until an all clear is given.  For your safety, you do not have the option of completing the hole and the penalty for continuing play is disqualification.  If, in a player’s judgment, they are in danger from an electrical storm and no siren has sounded, they may discontinue play and seek shelter.  Play may continue once the danger has passed.  The rules of golf provide for this option and no penalty may be imposed on the player.

NEW for 2008

Identifying a Ball in Hazard and Playing the Wrong Ball

(Rules 12-2 and 15-3)  As of January 1, 2008, a golfer may lift a ball for identification in a bunker or water hazard.  There will now be a two-stroke penalty for playing a wrong ball from a hazard.  In match play, the penalty will be loss of hole.

Listed here are summaries of the rules which are no substitute for the rules as printed in The Rules of Golf published by the USGA.  Any rules questions should be referred to The Rules of Golf Book or The Decisions on the Rules, both published by the USGA.

RULES and Guidelines for RLGA Play

Mark, Lift, Clean and Place:  RLGA utilizes this local rule during the entire season and it is in effect on the closely mown grass of the hole being played.  Ball may be marked, lifted, cleaned and placed within 12 inches in any direction, but no nearer the hole. Once placed, the ball is now considered in play.

Slow Play: “A player’s position on the golf course is immediately behind the group in front not immediately in front of the group behind!”  Please be aware of your position on the golf course and allow faster players to play through.  Be ready to play when it is your turn.  Do not leave carts and clubs in the front of the green so players behind can play up as soon as the pin has been replaced

Inclement Weather:  If the golf course is open, league play should proceed.   When weather is questionable, do not assume play is cancelled.  Check with pro shop to see if course is open.

Maintenance Area: (Hole #4, Hole #5, Hole #8) The entire maintenance area is an immovable obstruction.  Relief under Rule 24-2.  Drop one club length from nearest point of relief without penalty.  No line of sight relief.  There is an optional ball drop on Hole # 8 – between Service Road and Restroom Building.

Rules to Speed Play -   For regular RLGA events and in the interest of speeding up play please go by the following guidelines.  These will not apply in official tournaments such as the Club Championship.

• If a player reaches her maximum score, she should pick up her ball, take her maximum score and mark the scorecard accordingly.  For example, if your maximum score is 10, after your 9th stroke, pickup your ball and record (x10) for that hole.

• 12 inch putts may be given (outside edge of hole to front edge of the ball), with the consensus of the other players in the group.  There will be no measuring of the distance.

RLGA LOCAL GUIDELINES

Hole #1        1.       Rock wall - if unplayable – one stroke penalty.

• Tee Box for Hole #9 – playable area.
• Brush behind the green is not a hazard, if ball is not playable treat as unplayable lie - one stroke penalty.

Hole #2        1.       Ball on #3 green.  Drop one club length from nearest point of relief, no nearer the hole -  no penalty.

                     2.       Lateral Water Hazard (red stakes) behind the hole.

                     3.       Cart path toward Hole #3 – relief without penalty.

Hole #3        1.       Cart path and gravel – relief without penalty.

Hole #4        1.       Right side drainage ditch – Lateral Water Hazard (red stakes).

• Tee Box for Hole #3 – playable area.
• Bridge over Lateral Water Hazard (red stakes) is in the hazard.
• Right side - Maintenance Area is an immovable obstruction.

Hole #5        1.       White Tee Box for Hole #6 – playable area.

                      2.       Rock wall – if unplayable – one stroke penalty.

Hole #6        1.       Cart path and gravel – relief without penalty.

Hole #7        1.       Left side OB, must hit another ball – from previous spot –  stroke and distance penalty.

• Cart path and gravel areas – relief without penalty.
• Service Road behind the hole – relief without penalty.

Hole #8        1.       Left side OB, must hit another ball – from previous spot –stroke and distance penalty.

• Left side near tee box – Lateral Water Hazard (red stakes) marked next to OB.  Determine whether ball is in the Water Hazard, or if the ball is OB.
• Right side Maintenance area.
• Left side Drainage Ditch – Lateral Water Hazard (red stakes).
• Cart path and gravel toward Hole #9 – relief without penalty.

Hole #9        1.       Left side OB, must hit another ball – from previous spot – stroke and distance penalty.

• Rock wall – if unplayable – one stroke penalty.
• Cart path and gravel – relief without penalty.
• Behind the Green – land on stone wall or beyond – OB,

MUST hit another ball from the previous spot – stroke and distance penalty.

Hole #10          1.       Cart path and gravel areas – relief without penalty.

• Bridge over Water Hazard (yellow stakes) – in the hazard.
• Ball on #17 green.  Drop one club length from nearest point of relief, no nearer the hole no penalty.

Hole #11          1.       First Pond – Yellow and Red stakes – Entry POINT determines whether it is a Water Hazard (yellow) or                                  a Lateral Water Hazard (red).

• Left side – Lateral Water Hazard (red stakes).
• Second Pond – Lateral Water Hazard (red stakes) – There is no drop area.
• Foot bridge over the Water Hazard (yellow stakes) – in the hazard.
• Pump house on the right – relief without penalty – for stance and swing, treat as an immovable obstruction.
• Cart path and gravel areas – relief without penalty.

Hole #12          1.       Pond (Yellow & Red stakes) MAY use Drop Area – opposite side of pond.

• Cart path and foot path with gravel areas – relief without  penalty.
• Service Road toward Hole # 6 – relief without penalty.
• Bridge over Lateral Water Hazard (red stakes) – in the hazard.
• Left side – Red stakes and or lines (from tee to woods), mark Lateral Water Hazard.

Hole #13          1.       Left side – first 100 yards playable area – Water Hazard (yellow stakes) and Lateral Water Hazard                           (red  stakes) at creek.

                          2.       Right side service area – playable area.

                          3.       Right side near the green – Lateral Water Hazard (red stakes).

                          4.       Cart path and gravel areas – relief without penalty.

Hole #14          1.       Right Side – Lateral Water Hazard (red stakes) – up to within 100 yards of the green.

• Left Side – Lateral Water Hazard (red stakes) – near the 200 yard marker.
• Cart path and gravel areas – relief without penalty.
• Service road behind the hole – relief without penalty.
• Rock wall behind the green – marks OB area.

Hole #15          1.       Right Side – Lateral Water Hazard (red stakes).

• Left side open – playable area.
• Cart path and foot path with gravel areas – relief without penalty.

Hole #16          1.       Right Side – OB, must hit another ball at previous spot, stroke and distance penalty.

• Cart path and gravel areas – relief without penalty.
• Service roads and paths – relief without penalty.
• Ball on #13 green.  Drop one club length from nearest point of relief, no nearer the hole - no penalty.
• Brush behind the green is not a hazard, if ball is not playable treat as unplayable lie - one stroke penalty.

Hole #17          1.       Cart path and gravel areas – relief without penalty.

• Ball on #10 green.  Drop one club length from nearest point of relief, no nearer the hole – no penalty.
• Right Side – OB (rock wall), must hit another ball at the previous spot, stroke and distance penalty

Hole #18          1.       Right Side – OB, must hit another ball at the previous spot, stroke and distance penalty.

• Cart path and gravel areas – relief without penalty.
• Bridge over Water Hazard (yellow stakes) – in the hazard.
• Hole #10 fairway – playable area.
• Behind the hole – Lateral Water Hazard (red stakes).