Guidelines

The USGA Rules of Golf apply to all L.C.G.C. play except when superseded by the following rules of play as adopted by the L.C.G.C. 

Per the USGA rules, you must play the ball as it lies at all times. However, since many of the courses that we play do not mark ground under repair, it will be up to the foursome to decide if the ball should be moved. Amendment - it was decided at our 2019 winter meeting that we will allow golfers to lift, clean and place their ball, anywhere except in hazards. The change goes into effect immediately.

2019 Amendment for sand traps: If your ball is in a footprint, bad rake job, or if you just want to re-rake the area, you are free to do so without penalty. Please consider the lie of the ball when doing so. If it is plugged in sand that is not wet, you should return the ball to a similar lie. Use the judgement of your group.

The root rule - make sure that your ball is not near or on any part of a tree, usually deemed to be a root, that may cause injury to the golfer and/or damage to your club. The ball may be moved with no penalty, but should be kept on the same line to the hole. The idea here is to prevent any player from being hurt or damaging equipment to save a stroke.

You must putt out anything outside the length of a putter grip - in the interest in pace of play, please be reasonable with putts.

Any members  may choose to play the forward tees, but once making the change, must remain there for the rest of the season. Amended for 2025 season: players may choose which tees they are playing for each tournament 

In order to speed up play, we treat all penalties (water hazards, out of bounds, lost ball) the same, and treat them as a lateral hazard. Three options for lateral hazard (USGA Rules of Golf, Rule 26-1, sections a,b & c.)

1. Choose stroke and distance option, which means re-hitting from same spot with a penalty of stroke and distance.

2. Drop at a point between the original shot and where the ball entered the hazard, with no limit on how far back behind the hazard the ball is dropped, as long as it is along the line of flight.

3. A ball may be dropped within two club lengths of the point of entry into the hazard, on either side, as long as it is equidistant from the hole. For example, the ball is hit into the center of a pond. A ball may be dropped on either side, as long as the distance to the hole is the same. This probably would not come into play very often, but may occur if the ground directly in front of the hazard is not suitable for play.

A similar rule applies to water hazards. After your second consecutive"swimmer," you may carry the ball around the hazard and drop, taking a one stroke penalty. Something else to consider is that many courses offer a "drop area." This is usually near the green, with the intent being to speed up play so that golfers do not stand on the tee and drop shot after shot into a pond.

We hope the L.C.G.C. is a club of gentlemen. As such, each member is on his honor to play by the rules. Also, please consider that your deportment and etiquette are a reflection on the L.C.G.C. and each of its members. To tarnish the reputation of the L.C.G.C. would be to tarnish the reputation of each of us. Remember, one bad apple may not spoil the whole bunch, but you wouldn't want it in your applesauce.