Rules

BELLA VISTA MEN’S NINE HOLE GOLF ASSOCIATION

2025 RULES

Throughout these rules BVCC G.C. is designated by the letters CC, Kingswood G.C. by the letters KW, and Dogwood G.C. by the letters DW, Berksdale G.C. by BK, Scotsdale by SD, Highlands by HL and Brittany by BR.

USGA Rules will govern play, with the following exceptions and clarifications which apply to the Bella Vista Men’s Nine Hole Golf Association.

1. HANDICAP All new players must have an established handicap to be eligible to win any flight prizes for the first day of play. Players joining later must also submit five scores of nine holes each for a handicap. Members who belonged to the Association last year and did not play an event which was used for handicap will have to re-establish a new handicap with five scores of nine holes each.

2. SCORECARDS The scores must be recorded under the proper hole and correctly totaled. Scorecard must be signed and attested and if not signed and attested, the players in that group will be ineligible for that week’s prizes.

3. ALL STROKES Count all strokes including any whiffs. There is a maximum score. On par threes it is 6,par fours its is eight, and par fives it is ten.  This is done to speed up play.

4. TEE BOXES

A/B flights and C/D flights,  Players will use the RED (# 4) tee box, Gold & Whites are Optional.

5. CREEKS On holes requiring tee shots hit over creeks, if the tee shot is in the water you must hit another ball from the green side of the water and add one penalty stroke. If the ball is on any part of the bridges (over the creeks) play the next shot from the green side of the creek without penalty.

6. ROCKY AREAS In any rocky area in the fairway or rough that is not considered a hazard, where golf clubs could be damaged and the ball is playable, it may be moved no closer to the green without penalty. However, if you are in a hazard (all ditches, water areas, tree areas bounding the fairway, etc) and the ball is unplayable, it may not be moved without a penalty.

7. WINTER RULES Winter rules concerning improving the lie of your ball in fairways and roughs apply in Association play. Mats or tees may be used from the tee to the cart signs, excluding marked hazards  & bunkers when designated by the Committee.

8. CART PATHS Balls may be dropped away from the cart paths that interfere with stance or swing without a penalty stroke. Drop must be no more than two club lengths from the original lie and no closer to the green.

9. LATERAL HAZARDS (red stakes) Creeks and lakes running along holes are lateral hazards. If your ball is in a lateral hazard, drop a ball two club lengths from the point of entry no closer to the green and take a penalty of one stoke or play the ball as is lies without a penalty. Do not ground your club in the hazard. Grounding your club will incur a 1 stroke penalty.

10. WATER HAZARDS (yellow stakes) On holes with hazards marked by yellow stakes, if a ball is in the hazard add one penalty stroke or play the ball as it lies without penalty. Do not ground your club in the hazard. Grounding your club will incur a 1 stroke penalty.

11. OUT OF BOUNDS (White stakes) White markers indicate out of bounds. If your ball is out of bounds, drop in bounds, where it crossed out, within two club lengths,  no closer to the green and take a penalty of one stroke.

12. GROUND UNDER REPAIR If your ball is in an area designated as ground under repair (orange stakes or orange maintenance flags or white lined areas) you must drop a ball within two club lengths of the marked area and no closer to the green without penalty.

13. LOST BALL A lost ball is a penalty of one stroke. Players must drop a ball at the approximate spot the ball was last seen. Do not delay other players while hunting for a ball. Players must observe a two minute time limit for searching for a lost ball.

14. SAND TRAPS Club may not be grounded in a sand trap. If a ball is imbedded in a footprint or standing water, the ball may be moved away from the footprint or water not more than one foot and no closer to the green and still in the trap.

15. CLEANING OR CHANGING BALLS A ball on the green may be cleaned or a different ball used after properly marking its location.

16. APPROACH SHOT STRIKING ANOTHER BALL ON GREEN Play the approach ball from where it lays, no penalty. Ball that was struck may be played from where it lies or be replaced to the approximate original position.

17. PUTTING While putting, a penalty of one stroke is incurred if your ball strikes another ball on the putting surface. Ball is played from where it lies. Struck ball may be moved back to approximate original spot or played where it lies.

18. FLAGSTICK  May be left in the hole, unattended. No penalty for hitting the flagstick.

19. PUTTS All putts less than 18 inches from cup may be given unless the rules of the game of the week state differently. Add a stroke for a given putt.

20. NUMBER OF CLUBS There is no limit to the number of clubs you may carry in your bag except for specifically designated games. You must have a minimum of three clubs and a putter to conform to POA course rules.

21. GREENS UNDER REPAIR When greens are under repair, you will putt once after getting on the green. If ball does not go in the hole, pick up and add one stroke to your score for a total of two putts

22. WRONG BALL STRUCK We use U.S.G.A. Rule 6.3c , except we have a one-stroke penalty. Note: you must go back and play the correct ball and take a one-stroke penalty.

23. DISPUTES Any dispute regarding infractions of rules should be brought to the attention of the Executive Committee for clarification and ruling.

24. MAXIMUM HANDICAP An individual maximum handicap of 25 will be used for all team events.