Etiquette and Rules

Etiquette

• 1. Don't move, talk or stand close a player making a stroke.

• 2. Don't step on another player's line of putt.

• 3. Always play without delay and keep up with the group in front.

• 4. Don't play until the group in front is out of the way.

• 5. Shout a warning if your ball may hit someone.

• 6. Invite faster groups to play through.

Etiquette

• 7. Repair divot holes and ball-marks. Smooth footprints in bunkers.

• 8. Don't drop clubs on the putting green or lean on your putter.

• 9. Replace the flagstick carefully in an upright position.

• 10. In the case of a serious breach of etiquette, the Committee has the authority to disqualify a player.

• 11. Leave the course in the condition in which you would like to find it. - Mike Dickey

• Count your clubs. You are allowed a maximum of 14 clubs. (4-4)

6-7. Pace of PlayPlan your shot while walking to your ball or while others

are playing.Be ready to play when it is your turn.Walk briskly between shotsWalk directly to your golf ball; don’t follow others unless

assisting in a searchDon’t step off yardage for every single golf shot, develop

an “eye” for distance.Be efficient with pre-shot routine.Take only one practice swing. Play a provisional ball if you think the original might be lost

outside a water hazard or out of bounds.

Rule 11. Teeing GroundTee off within two club-lengths behind the front

and outside edges of the tee-markers.

Order of Play

• In stroke play, the ball farthest from the hole is played first. The competitor with the lowest score on a hole tees off first on the next hole. There is generally no penalty for playing out of turn. (10-2)

Rule 16. Putting Green

You may repair ball marks and old hole plugs on the line (Rule 16-1c).

Don’t touch the line of your putt unless a Rule permits (Rule 16-1a).

2. You may lift, and if desired, clean your ball on the putting green. Always replace it on the exact spot. (16-1b)

17-3. Ball Striking Flagstick or Attendant

The player’s ball shall not strike:

c. The flagstick in the hole, unattended, when the ball has been played from the putting green.

Penalty: 2-strokes

Loose Impediments

Loose impediments are natural objects (such as stones and leaves) not fixed or growing, not solidly embedded and not adhering to the ball (Rule 23).

2. You may move them unless the loose impediment and your ball lie in or touch the same hazard. (23-1)

• 3. If you have moved a loose impediment and this causes your ball to move, the ball must be replaced and you incur a penalty stroke (unless your ball was on the putting green). (18-2a)

24. Obstructions

Obstructions are artificial (i.e., man-made) objects.

There are two types of obstructions:

--MOVABLE

--IMMOVABLE

24-2. Immovable Obstructionb. RELIEF

The nearest point of relief is almost always a different spot for a left handed player than for a right handed player

Moveable Obstructions

• 2. Movable obstructions (e.g., a rake) positioned anywhere may be moved without penalty. If your ball moves, replace it without penalty. (24-1)

13-2. Don’t Improve lie, Area of Intended Stance or Swing or Line of Play

A player shall not improve the lie, the area of intended stance or swing, line of play or a reasonable extension of that line beyond the hole by moving, bending or breaking anything fixed or growing except in fairly taking the stance or making a swing.

Relief -- Through the Green Abnormal Ground Conditions

The player shall lift the ball and drop it within one club-length of the nearest point of relief on a part of the course that

(a) is not nearer the hole, (b) avoids interference,

(c) is not in a hazard or on a putting green.

Ball is Unplayable

Ball Unplayable -- Three Options

1.Stroke and Distance

Tee1

2

3

2.Drop a ball within two club-lengths of the spot where the ball lay, but not nearer to hole.

3. Drop a ball, keeping that point directly between the hole and the spot on which the ball is dropped.

6-5. Playing Proper Ball

Put an identification mark on your ball. If you can’t identify it as yours, it’s lost. (Rule 27).

Lost or Out of Bounds

If your ball may be lost outside a water hazard or out of bounds, you may play a provisional ball before you go forward to look for the original, provided you announce your intention to do so.

“That one might be out, I’d betterhit a provisional ball”

Rule 27 Out of Bounds

• The ball is OB when the entire ball is at rest OB.

• The OB line is determined by the inside edge of the stakes or fence posts

O.B.

Lost or Out of Bounds If your ball is lost

outside a water hazard or is out of bounds, add one penalty stroke and play the provisional ball or, if you did not play a provisional ball, replay the shot (Rule 27-1).

Water Hazard (3 options)

1. Play the ball as it lies -- no penalty.

OR, Under penalty of one stroke:

2. Play a ball at the spot from which the original was last played.

3. Drop behind the hazard keeping the point at which the original ball last crossed the margin of the hazard between the hole and the spot on which the ball is dropped.

2

3

1

Lateral Water Hazard 5 options - Same 3 plus 2Same 3 plus 2

1. Play the ball as it lies--no penalty.

OR, Under penalty of one stroke:

2. Play a ball under the stroke and distance procedure.

3. Drop behind the hazard keeping the point between the hole and the spot on which the ball is dropped.

4. Drop 2 club-lengths from the point of entry into the hazard.

5. Drop 2 club-lengths from point on the opposite margin, equidistant from the hole.

1

34

5

2

Relief Procedures -- Summary Immovable Obstructions & Abnormal Ground

ConditionsThrough the Green, find the nearest point of relief

and drop within one club length Water Hazards

Water hazard (yellow) -- 3 optionsLateral water hazard (red) -- 5 options

Ball Lost outside Water Hazard or Out of BoundsStroke and Distance

Ball UnplayableThree options

Rule 3-3 Doubt as to Procedure

In stroke play only, when during play of a hole a competitor is doubtful of his rights, he may, without penalty, play a second ball.

Player Responsibilities--Summary

Know the “Conditions of Competition” (Local Rules) Arrive at first tee by starting time or be DQ’d In stroke play settle doubtful points before returning card In stroke play sign card and ensure marker has signed In stroke play if any hole score is lower than taken, DQ’d