As a general principle, we play by USGA rules – not MGA rules. For example, if a ball lies on a cart path – you get to drop at the nearest point of relief, not always on the fairway side. When in doubt, refer to the USGA rules book or play two balls and keep both scores – we can then refer to a pro or the group for resolution later. However, we do have the following exceptions.
EXCEPTIONS
Bunkers: You may remove leaves, stones and sticks. Play the ball as it lies or take relief according to USGA rules - except if the bunker has been washed out by rain and not maintained. You may also get relief from animal/human footprints. In either case you need to get approval from one of the members of your group/foursome and if OK, you may rake and place the ball in the bunker.
Highlands G.C. #2: In the fairway, you may lift, clean and place within a club length, no nearer the hole. In the rough, you may lift, clean, and drop In the rough within a club length, no nearer the hole.
Dogwood #13: The concrete drainage ditch is a yellow marked hazard and the cement blocks and cart path are integral parts of the hazard, thus, no relief. Play the ball as it lies or drop with penalty. Note: If a block impedes your swing or stance and you are not in the hazard, play it as it lies or take an unplayable penalty dropping 2 club lengths from the ball or one club either side of a line between your ball and the flagstick.
Natural/No-mow Areas/Native Grass/Flower Plots: Consider these as red-staked lateral hazards.
Imbedded Ball: Any ball imbedded in its own pitch mark anywhere on the course except for hazards and bunkers may be lifted, cleaned and dropped within a club length, no nearer the hole.
Immovable Objects: You get relief for immediate line of sight and swing or stance interference from fans, birdhouses, power line poles and support wires, red and yellow hazard stakes, and yardage markers that cannot be removed. Drop at the nearest point of relief. Note: OB stakes or markers may not be removed or moved, no relief for stance or swing.
Ball in a Hazard: You may use your club to look for a ball in the hazard as long as you don’t improve your lie and or position. Once your ball is identified you may play it as it lies or take the appropriate penalty. This only applies to avoid contact with resident snakes and other unfriendly critters.
All mulched and pine needle areas are considered Ground Under Repair. Mandatory free drop no nearer to the hole.
Incorrectly Marked Yellow Hazards: If your ball crosses into a YELLOW hazard and you cannot get relief from the other side of the hazard while keeping the point of entry between you and the hole in a straight line, then treat this hazard as a RED/lateral hazard. Example of this is hole #6 @ Country Club - left side of the green. Note the area between the tee and green are correctly marked on this hole.
Putting: We always putt everything out – no “gimmies” – no exceptions.
Sprinkler Head on Fringe of the Green: You may take a free drop at the nearest point of relief if a sprinkler head interferes with your line of putt ONLY from the fringe - not from the rough.
Unmarked rock drainage ditches - these can be found on Berksdale #10, Highlands #13 and anywhere you see a drain pipe with rocks that is clearly designed to move water away from the course. You will treat these as "GUR".
All Hazards and Out of Bounds: All hazards are marked by the intended line of the hazard, regardless of where the stakes are located. All OB’s are a straight line between white stakes.
Provisional Ball: You do not need to declare that a second ball is provisional if you believe the first ball might be lost. This will always be assumed to be provisional. If you find your original ball, it is in play and your provisional cannot be used, regardless if you have already continued play with your provisional ball.
Playing from the Wrong Tee or Teeing Area: If you play from the wrong tee or teeing area (i.e. not within the tee marked area plus 2 club lengths) and realize this before hitting your next shot, there is no penalty. Re-Tee from the correct tee markers.
Out of Bounds: White stakes define the out of bounds boundary - see “Hazards and Out of Bounds” above. Options for “Out of Bounds” are 1) Hit another shot from where your last shot was played, or 2) Drop a ball anywhere on an arc from where the ball crossed the hazard line up to two club lengths into the fairway being no closer to the hole from where the ball crossed the hazard line. Note, option #2 incurs a 2 shot penalty.
Winter Rules: When we designate "Winter Rules" you may lift, clean and place your ball in your own fairway, but still play the ball down everywhere else. The ball will only be played up everywhere under extremely wet conditions and when declared before the game starts.
For anything else, refer to the USGA rules book, but note in particular;
1) Dropping a ball from a lateral hazard means at the point it crossed the line of the hazard - NOT where you find the ball.
2) Dropping from a yellow-staked hazard means you must keep the point of entry in the hazard between you and the flag no matter which side of the hazard was crossed.
Rocks and Roots: Rocks and roots will be treated as GUR. You may drop without penalty at the nearest point of relief from the rocks or root, no nearer the hole. You may still be standing on rocks or roots. The purpose of this rule is to prevent injury to you or your clubs. Coming to rest up against a tree is not considered roots. This does not apply to balls in a hazard. As normal, have another person in your group give permission before taking relief from rocks or roots.
1. The Birdies & Eagles Golf Society is organized and operates for the sole purpose of facilitating and enhancing social interaction, friendship, entertainment, enjoyment, support, and camaraderie among its members, spouses, and friends.
2. The game of golf is the primary vehicle for this purpose. All members agree the game will be played under not only the rules, but the spirit and integrity of the game’s origins and development. Among these, the concept of “Gentleman’s Game” will be foremost.
3. All members are responsible for ensuring a “level playing field” for the rest of the group by enforcing the rules of the game and calling penalty strokes when necessary.
4. In addition to golf, other social and recreational activities will be pursued to enhance the purposes stated above.
5. All members hold the obligation of providing time, effort, and general assistance with the activities and responsibilities of running the group on a weekly basis and for the annual major events.
6. The members, spouses, and friends of The Birdies & Eagles Golf Society are committed to actions and behaviors that treat all with courtesy, respect, and personal support at all times and under all circumstances.