LOCAL RULES AND CONDITIONS
OF COMPETITION FOR THE MEADOWS GOLF CLUB

 

The Rules of the United States Golf Association (USGA) govern play. This Rules hard card, and any site-specific Local Rules and Conditions of Play sheets are supplements to the USGA Rules of Golf. 

The Committee. Tournament Director, Board Members assigned to the tournament, and Members of the Meadows Golf Club Rules Committee present or contacted by phone. The Meadows Golf Club Rules Committee, whose decision is final, shall settle any Rules disputes.

Out of Bounds (OB). Defined by course-side points, at ground level, of white stakes and fence posts. When out of bounds is defined by a line on the ground, the line itself is out of bounds, beginning with the course-side edge of the line. A ball is in bounds if any part of it lies on or touches the ground inside the boundary edge (course-side) or is above the boundary edge (Rule 18.2a(2)). If both stakes/posts and a line exist, the line defines the OB.

Ground Under Repair (GUR). Defined by white lines. French drains are deemed to be ground under repair. Ground under repair may include areas of unusual damage, but only when so declared by The Committee. An area of ground under repair immediately adjacent to an obstruction is part of the obstruction.  Relief may be taken under Rule 16.1.  It is the understanding of the Board that if the Course designates any areas of GUR with stakes and ropes, it is the Course’s intention that no one drive through or hit balls within those areas. If a TMGC Member’s ball lies within a staked/roped area, we ask that you please respect the Course and take appropriate relief. Areas designated by white paint are optional.

Dropping Zones. If a ball is in a penalty area on a hole identified as having a dropping zone, including when it is known or virtually certain that the ball that has not been found came to rest in the penalty area, the player has these relief options, each for one penalty stroke:

  • Take relief under Rule 17.1, or
  • As an extra option, drop the original ball or another ball in the dropping zone marked by a yellow and black striped pole.
  • The dropping zone is a relief area under Rule 14.3, and the drop may be taken within (2) club lengths from the reference point, which is the pole.
  • If the dropped ball comes to rest within the relief area, and not in the penalty area, the ball is in play.
  • If the dropped ball comes to rest outside of the relief area, the player must 
    re-drop.  If, again, it comes to rest outside of the relief area, it must be placed.
  • The pole may be removed temporarily if it interferes with a player’s stroke. 

 

Sodded Areas. If a player’s ball lies in or touches a seam of cut turf or a seam interferes with the player’s area of intended swing:

  • Ball in General Area.  The player may take relief under Rule 16.1b.
  • Ball on Putting Green.  The player may take relief under Rule 16.1d.
  • But interference does not exist if the seam only interferes with the player’s stance.

 

Staked Trees. Stakes and wires supporting trees are immovable obstructions and relief may be taken under Rule 16.1. Relief is not permitted from the tree itself.

Railroad Ties. Except when located in a penalty area, are treated as immovable obstructions, and relief may be taken under Rule 16.1.

Power Lines. If a ball strikes an elevated power line or cable, the stroke does not count, and the player must play a ball, without penalty, from where the previous stroke was made 
(Rule 14.6).

Roads and Paths.  All roads and paths on the course, even if not artificially-surfaced, are treated as immovable obstructions from which free relief is allowed under Rule 16.1.

White Lined Areas Tying into Artificially Surfaced Roads and Paths. Have the same status as roads and paths, that of obstructions.

Aeration Holes.  If a player’s ball lies in or touches an aeration hole,

  • the player may take relief under Rule 16.1b (relief in general area).  If the ball comes to rest in another aeration hole, the player may take relief again under this Local Rule.
  • On the green, relief may be taken under Rule 16.1d (relief on green).  No relief for interference with stance.

 

Provisional Ball. Players are encouraged to play a provisional ball if the original ball may be lost outside of a penalty area (especially native grass) or out of bounds. The player must announce that he is going to play a provisional ball, and must use the word “provisional”, or otherwise clearly indicate that he is playing the ball provisionally under Rule 18.3.

Second Ball. In stroke play only, a player who is uncertain about the right procedure while playing a hole may complete the hole with two balls without penalty – under Rule 20.1c(3) provided all procedures are followed correctly. 

LOCAL RULES – Specific Holes:

Hole #8: Dropping Zone available for the penalty area (lake) marked with stakes, is located between the cart path and White teeing area left of the cart path, or proceed under 
Rule 17.1d.

    • Sprinkler heads between greenside bunkers and green: When a player’s ball comes to rest between a green side bunker and a sprinkler head (not resting inside a bunker), the Player is allowed relief under rule 16.1 when interference exists regardless of club selection.

Hole #9: Left of the cart path between the green and the practice green is out of bounds (OB).

    • Cart and maintenance paths will be played as obstructions, including cobble stones placed to extend the maintenance paths coverage to the south of fairway (Rule 16.1a(2)).

Hole#10: Left of the cart path is out of bounds (OB).

Hole #12: Dropping Zone available for the penalty area (lake), is located in front of the Red teeing area to the right of the cart path or proceed under Rule 17.1d.

    • When the cart path is adjacent to the penalty area (lake/creek), the penalty area begins at the edge of the cart path along the lake.  These areas will be marked with red stakes with blue or green tops. When the cart path and the penalty area are no longer adjacent, the penalty area will be marked with red paint.
    • Play is prohibited left of the west most lake.

Hole #16: Southern Penalty Area (creek)/Red Pole

    • From the teeing area if your ball fails to cross the penalty area (creek) short of the fairway you may play it as it lies or take relief under Rule 17.1.
    • From the teeing area if your ball enters the general playing area west of the red pole but then cross into the penalty area on the southside of the fairway you must do the following:
      • Play it as it lies if it is north of the south water’s edge or take relief under Rule 17.1, from where the ball entered the penalty area.
      • Any ball located south of the south water’s edge is deemed unplayable and relief must be taken following Rule 17.1, from where the ball entered the penalty area.

       Northern Penalty Area (creek)

    • When the cart path is adjacent to the penalty area (creek), the penalty area begins at the edge of the cart path along the creek.  These areas will be marked with red stakes with blue or green tops. When the cart path and the penalty area are no longer adjacent, the penalty area will be marked with red paint.

Hole #18: Dropping Zone available for the penalty area (lake), is located to the left of the bridge by the Charlie Austin Pole.

    • Balls entering the penalty area to the left of the Charlie Austin Pole may use the Dropping Zone.
    • Balls entering the penalty area to the right of the Charlie Austin Pole must be re-teed or dropped in a relief area that is based on a reference line going straight back from the hole through the estimated point where the original ball last crossed the edge of the penalty area (Rule 17.1d).

CONDITIONS:

Footwear.  Rule 4.3a is modified in this way: During a round, a player must not wear shoes with:

    • Traditional spikes – that is, spikes having a single or multiple point designed to penetrate deeply into the surface of the ground (regardless of whether made of metal, ceramic, plastic, or other materials), or, 
    • Spikes of any design that are entirely or partially made of metal if such metal may come in contact with the course. 
      • Penalty for breach: Disqualification.

Distance Measuring Devices. For all play on the course a player may use a distance-measuring device to obtain distance information only. The device is not allowed to measure other conditions (e.g., elevation changes, wind speed, etc.), or provide advice (e.g., recommendation for line of play or club selection, etc.) (Rule 4.3a).

When to Start Round. Rule 5.3a is in effect.

Discontinuance of Play. Competitors are individually responsible for deciding whether to stop play and seek shelter due to lightning or dangerous situation. Players who choose to suspend and then resume play will be accommodated as best as possible if they end up out of position within their tournament flight. All competitors must play with at least one other player (marker) who is also in the tournament field.

Motorized Carts. Permitted in all events. When the use of motorized carts is prohibited by the host course, no player in the flights affected shall be permitted to use motorized carts for any reason.

Undue Delay; Slow Play. A player is at risk of penalty if he unreasonably delays play, either when playing a hole or between two holes and/or contributes to causing his group to fall out of position.  A warning is not required to incur a penalty, see Pace of Play Policy.

Close of Competition. The competition shall be deemed to have closed when all scores or results have been approved by the Tournament Committee and payouts have been submitted to the Pro-Shop.

WATCH OUT FOR RATTLESNAKES.