General Local Rules of Golf -- January 1, 2024
Click here to see rules governing the optional games contests.
Click here to see Inclement Weather Policy governing discontinuance of play.
The following rules will apply to all tournaments. These rules have been reviewed and approved by the Board of Officers and may be amended as necessary by the Board. Current USGA rules of Golf will apply during play with the following exceptions, which allows Local Rules that provide for abnormal conditions.
Violation of Rules. During play any questions concerning these rule interpretations will be addressed with other members of the playing group at the time of occurrence. Any unresolved disputes should be noted and brought to the attention of the Committee, or their representatives, immediately following play.
NEW RULES ENCOURAGE FASTER PACE OF PLAY. Affirmative encouragement of “READY GOLF” in stroke play. Search for lost ball is now limited to (3) three minutes and players should take no more than 40 seconds to play a stroke
1.
NO MULLIGANS ARE PERMITTED.
3.
MAXIMUM STROKES.
Maximum of three (3) strokes over Par are to be taken and recorded on any
hole, except in Match Play where the hole is played out until it is won,
halved or conceded.
4.
PUTTS. The final putt
on a hole must be holed out.
No GIMMES.
Once
a ball in play is on the green, a ”putting ball” cannot be substituted.
There will be no penalty if a ball played from the putting green hits an unattended flagstick in the hole: players may putt without having the flagstick attended or removed.
5. MOVING AND CLEANING THE BALL. The ball may be moved, with no penalty, within one-club length, in either the fairway or the rough, but not in a penalty area, and no closer to the Hole. You can now move your ball from the rough to the fairway, with the following restrictions; no closer to the hole and no more than one club length. The ball may be cleaned after each shot, except in a penalty area.
6.
PENALTY AREAS. (Formerly Water / Lateral Water
Hazards).
The Rules for
Penalty Areas are well defined by USGA and will be played by PSMGA members
accordingly. Note that in addition to water hazards, the Committee may mark
areas such as deserts, jungles, rock fields, etc. as Penalty Areas.
Note:
If a penalty area (hazard) is not marked, it is up to the player with help
from the playing group, to determine where the yellow or red stakes/lines
would be placed and play from that location. A broken red line has the same
designation as a solid red line.
Important Note: After taking relief, and putting the ball in
play, the player is entitled to move the ball one club length in accordance
with Rule #5.
7. LOST
BALL AND/OR OUT OF BOUNDS.
This Local Rule is used to speed up play.
If a ball goes out of bounds, the player may advance to the point
where the ball is presumed to have gone out and under penalty of one stroke,
drop a ball within
two club lengths
of where the ball went out of bounds, not nearer the hole.
If a ball is lost (outside a
penalty area (hazard))
and has not been found within
3
minutes,
the player will
drop a ball in the vicinity where the ball was lost, no closer to the hole,
under penalty of one stroke.
Important Note:
After taking relief, and putting the ball in play, the
player is entitled to move the ball one club length
in accordance with Rule 5
8. BUNKERS.
A. When a player hits his ball into any bunker, the player will be able to rake and place unless the ball is a "Fried Egg". In the event that a ball is a "Fried Egg", the player must follow Rule 8 (D) below.B. An unplayable lie in the bunker. Relief may be taken by dropping the ball within two (2) club lengths, no closer to the hole, with one stroke penalty. The ball must remain in the bunker.
C. A
second option for an unplayable lie in a bunker. The player may take
“back-on-the-line” relief outside the bunker.
Use
a reference line going straight back from the hole through the spot of the
original ball, as far back as desired. Drop the ball within 1 club length
either side of that line, with two (2) strokes
penalty.
D. A
ball that is in a bunker, that
is plugged or “fried egged”,
must be played
as it lies,
or take relief as per 8(B) or 8(C) above.
9. PACE-OF-PLAY. Click here to see the extensive new rules to ensure prompt play.
PLANO SENIOR MEN’S GOLF
ASSOCIATION SPECIAL RULES
1. DROP
ZONES.
If a ball enters the creek on Hole #18, under penalty of one stroke, the player is authorized to utilize the drop zone located across the creek adjacent to the forward (ladies) tee box.
If a ball enters the creek on Hole #10, or is driven far left and/or right prior to the creek, and cannot be found, the player, under penalty of one stroke, is authorized to utilize the drop zone located across the creek.
2. SPECIAL AREAS
If a ball
goes into the “Grate Areas” and can be identified, it is not a lost ball.
Drop the ball the closest point of relief, no closer to the hole, no
penalty. If a player thinks his ball went into the “Grate Areas”, and cannot
be identified, the ball is lost. Drop the ball to
closest point of relief, no closer to the hole, one stroke penalty.
The area across the cart path behind Hole #9 (Short Course Area) and the driving range on Hole #1 and Hole #9 is OUT OF BOUNDS (See Local Rule #8). RELIEF- determined closest point of relief, no closer to the hole and add one stroke penalty.
The manicured area next to Tee Box #4, is a NO PLAY ZONE. If your ball enters this area, do not enter to retrieve your ball. You can use a ball retriever, if you choose to do so. DO NOT PLAY FROM THIS AREA!! Relief - determine the nearest point of relief, no closer to the hole, and drop the ball within one club length, no penalty.
3. NATURAL / NATIVE AREAS
DANGEROUS SITUATIONS MAY EXIST IN THESE AREAS.
REMEMBER: 3 MINUTES MAXIMUM TIME TO SEARCH FOR LOST BALL.