Local Rules

5/18/2021

"RULE OF THE WEEK"

WATER HAZZARDS

The only water hazard we have is on Holes 14 and 15. If you hit into the water, you have the following options:

1. Drop the ball within 2 club lengths of the entry point (no nearer to the hole) of the ball into the water (1 penalty stroke).

2. Re-hit the ball from the previous spot (1 penalty stroke).

3. Hit a provisional ball from previous spot (1 penalty stroke). If the ball did go in the water, then your provisional ball becomes the ball in play. If the ball did not go in the water, then your provisional ball is null and void. (no penalty assessed).

4. If you do not call "provisional ball" before you hit the ball, it becomes the ball in play even if your original ball didn't go in the water. (1 penalty stroke).

5. You do not get free relief if your ball comes to rest in Casual water in penalty areas (drainage ditches and other low areas). In this case, you either hit the ball as it lies or use the normal relief options for "penalty" areas.

5/12/2021

RULE OF THE WEEK: OPTIONS FOR UNPLAYABLE BALL IN BUNKER

ACCORDING TO USGA RULE 19.3 (RELIEF OPTIONS FOR UNPLAYABLE BALL IN BUNKER).

A PLAYER DECIDES THAT HIS BALL IN A BUNKER IS UNPLAYABLE. THE PLAYER HAS FOUR OPTIONS:

(1). FOR ONE PENALTY STROKE, THE PLAYER MAY TAKE STROKE AND DISTANCE RELIEF (HIT BALL FROM PREVIOUS SPOT).

(2). FOR ONE PENALTY STROKE, THE PLAYER MAY TAKE BACK-ON-THE-LINE RELIEF IN THE BUNKER.

​(3). FOR ONE PENALTY STROKE, THE PLAYER MAY TAKE LATERAL RELIER IN THE BUNKER.

​(4). FOR TWO PENALTY STROKES, THE PLAYER MAY TAKE BACK-ON-THE-LINE RELIEF OUTSIDE THE BUNKER BASED ON A REFERENCE LINE GOING

STRAIGHT BACK FROM THE HOLE THROUGH THE SPOT OF THE ORIGINAL BALL.

A BUNKER THAT IS COMPLETELY UNPLAYABLE IS CONSIDERED AN ABNORMAL COURSE CONDITION AND FREE RELIEF IS GRANTED.

1. RULE 17 IS A SPECIFIC RULE FOR PENALTY AREAS. OUR LOCAL RULE DEFINES OUR PENALTY AREA AS ANY BODY OF WATER ON THE COURSE INCLUDING LAKES, DRAINAGE DITCHES, DITCHES, BRIDGES, AND ALL DESERT AREAS (AREAS CONTAINING DESERT PLANTS AND BUSHES AND NO GRASS). IT ALSO INCLUDES THE DIRT AREA LEADING INTO THE DESERT FAUNA.

2. The following listed items are considered to be IMMOVABLE OBSTRUCTIONS under RULE #16.1 allowing relief for stance or area of intended swing by dropping in the General Area within 1 club length of the nearest point of complete relief not nearer the hole. No Penalty.

A. Cart paths, maintenance paths/roads.

B. Rocks bordering cart paths.

C. Rocks forming drains next to cart paths.

D. Distance markers, drains, sprinkler heads in fairways.

3. The following listed items are considered to be ABNORMAL COURSE CONDITIONS under Rule #25-1 allowing relief In the General Area by dropping within 1 club length of the nearest point of complete relief not nearer the hole. No Penalty. If the ACC is on the green, the ball must be placed at nearest point of maximum relief not nearer the hole, No Penalty.

A. Staked trees.

B. Aeration holes or slits.

C. Water erosion in Sand Traps (Must remain in Sand Trap).

D. Animal burrows or holes.

E. Bare area in the Fairway.

*Note — There are no abnormal course conditions in the Penalty Areas

4. Stones in bunkers are movable obstructions under RULE#24-1. The stone may be removed without penalty. If the ball moves due to this action there is no penalty, the ball must be replaced.

5. Bridges in Penalty Area are considered to be in the penalty area and ball must be played where it lies or you may take a drop with a 1 stroke penalty. You may ground your club on the bridge.

6. Distance Measuring Devices may be used.

7. If your ball lies within 2 club lengths of a sprinkler valve and that sprinkler valve is within 2 club lengths of the green, you may have relief only if you putt the ball. Again no closer to the hole.

8. In the event of a claim or dispute to the rules of golf, the club committee will determine the validity of the claim as soon as practical. Play a second ball and score each. Final score will be determined by the club committee.

When a players ball is known or virtually certain to be out of bounds, the player has the following options:

1. Hit a provisional ball, which becomes the ball in play if the ball did go out of bounds and eliminates the next options for out of bounds. (penalty —1 stroke)

2. If a provisional ball was not hit and the ball went out of bounds, the player may:

a. hit a ball from previous spot (penalty 1 stroke) or

b. drop ball in relief area in fairway (penalty 2 strokes).

*Relief Area:

Relief area is determines as follows:

1. Ball Reference Point — the point at which the ball crossed out of bounds.

2. Fairway reference Point — the nearest point on the fairway of the hole being played on a straight line to the Ball Reference Point not nearer the hole.

3. You are allowed 2 club lengths into the fairway.

PENALTY AREA:

When a players ball is known or virtually certain to have entered a penalty area and could not be found within the 3 minute time limit, it is considered lost and you have the following options:

1. Hit ball from previous spot (penalty -1 stroke).

2. Hit ball from point of entry into the penalty area, no nearer the hole (penalty —1 stroke).

3. Hit ball from any point back on a line from entry point and pin (penalty —1 stroke).

*Note: player may use 1 club length on either side of reference line for dropping area.

GENERAL AREA:

When a players ball is known or virtually certain to have come to rest in a general area and could not be found within the 3 minute time limit, it is considered lost and you have the following options:

1. Hit ball from previous spot (penalty 1 stroke).

2. Hit ball within 2 club lengths of where ball is estimated to have come to rest on the course (penalty — 2 strokes).

3. Hit ball within 2 club lengths of where ball is estimated to come to rest and in a straight line to the nearest point in the fairway no nearer the hole (penalty — 2 strokes).

Revision dated 30 January 2019