League Rules

(As Amended January 21, 2026)

 

Except as provided in these and other special rules adopted and disseminated by the Cary Senior Golfer Association, the Rules of Golf as published and interpreted by the U.S.G.A. shall govern all play.  Members will also comply with the rules and instruction established by each course played.  Each member is expected to comply with the following when participating in CSGA sanctioned play.


Definitions:

 

 1.   Golf Etiquette

a. Repair ball marks on greens.

b. Replace divots.

c. No steel spikes are allowed on the course.  Do not drag feet on greens.

d. Rake sand traps promptly after playing therefrom.

e. Be mindful and considerate of the groups following and ahead of yours.  Play each shot without undue delay, and leave green promptly after play of a hole has been completed.  Go to the next tee (or to the clubhouse) to record scores and hold post-mortems.  If the group following yours is playing faster and there is more than one clear hole ahead, invite them to pass.  Don’t hit until group ahead or playing through is out of range.   

f. Spend no more than 3 minutes looking for a lost ball.

g. Park golf carts to the side or back of greens.  Never park in front of a green.

h. Always wear proper attire.

 

2.   Ball Replacement

A player may without penalty substitute another ball for his or her ball which is in play and lying in the fairway or on the green of the hole being played.  The substitute ball shall be played on the spot where the original ball lies.


 3.  Ball Lost in Woods/Fields/Pond or Out of Bounds

If a player has or may have hit the ball out of bounds, or into the woods/fields/pond, the player shall NOT hit a provisional ball, but shall proceed to look for the ball.  After going forward, the player shall:

a. Continue play with the original ball if it is found in bounds and is playable.

b. If the original ball is determined to be lost or out of bounds or unplayable, drop a ball within two club lengths (not nearer the hole) from the point where the original ball crossed out of bounds or into the woods/fields/pond and add a penalty of one stroke.  No ball shall be played from out of bounds.  

 

4.   Penalty Areas (Yellow-Staked Water Hazards)

In addition to the regular Rules of Golf regarding water hazards, a player may use one of the following options:

a. After hitting a ball into a water hazard, the player may cross the water and place a ball within two club lengths of the water for a two-stroke penalty. The stroke into the water is still counted.

b. If the ball lies within 20 yards of the water hazard, instead of attempting to hit over the water, the player may cross the water and place a ball within two club lengths of the water for a two-stroke penalty.

c. Rule 4 does not apply to Red Staked Lateral Water Hazards.

    

5.   Preferred Lies 

a. A ball lying between the tree lines (trunks not branches) of the hole being played may (without penalty) be moved within one club length (not toward the hole) to adjust the lie.  A ball lying in the rough may not be moved to the fairway.

b. Any ball lying among rocks or roots may be moved by placing the shortest possible distance, no closer to the hole, in order to clear the lie.

c. Any ball lying in a foreign fairway must be played as it lies, unless on rocks or roots. As an option, you may drop a ball in your hole’s rough within one club length of where the ball crossed the line between holes, add one penalty stroke.


6.   Tees to be Played

a. Players may play from the following tee options, regardless of age: White, Gold, Red, or other options, as may be added by the Board.  Once players choose their preferred tee, they should play from that tee for the remainder of the league season.  Any changes require notification and approval of the Tournament Chairman.  Requests to change tees should be emailed to caryseniorgolf@gmail.com.     

b. To improve the pace of play for the enjoyment of all members, players should play tees that give them a playing handicap of no more than 18 for the tees chosen.  Playing tees with handicaps over 18 contributes to slow play and should be avoided.

c. The tees played must be recorded when the score is entered into the handicap system.  If you play the white tees designate Public White, the gold tees designate Public Gold or the red tees designate Public Red as the tees played.


7.   Stroke Control

a. The maximum number of stokes a player is allowed to record for a hole is three (3) over par.  When a player has accumulated as many strokes as allowed and has still not holed out, the player should expedite play by picking up and discontinuing play on that hole.

b. This same three (3) over par rule pertains in Tournaments; however, you must putt until the three (3) over par rule comes into effect; i.e., no gimmies are allowed during tournament play.   


8.   Recording Scores

Golfers are to record their scores for both regular rounds and tournament rounds in the GHIN system after each round played.  Be sure to enter your tournament scores as Type C for “Competition”.    


9. Special Local Rules for 2026 on the Old Back Nine

A: Abnormal Ground Conditions: As per RGA Local Rules, free drop from interference, stance and swing, nearest point of relief, within one club length, no nearer to the hole:


B: Back Nine is to be played as ‘preferred lies’ in the Fairway only. You may lift/clean/place the ball, no nearer the hole, onto the nearest acceptable turf, within one club length.


C: Hole 15: For all Tee shots into the woods, fields, or pond, drop a ball in the ‘drop zone’ to the left of the cart path, add one Penalty stroke. Option: if your ball lands across the water and rolls/bounces into the hazard, you may drop a ball within one clublength of where the ball entered the hazard, add one Penalty stroke.


D: Aeration Holes on Back Nine Bentgrass Greens: If a ball comes to rest in an aeration hole, it may be moved out of the hole to the nearest level area, typically 1-2 inches.


E: Bare spots on Back Nine Bentgrass Greens: If a ball comes to rest in a bare spot or on weeds, or results in a line of putt through a bare area or weeds, take nearest relief, no closer to the hole.