Rules of Golf - Part A: Local Rules
As
provided in Rule 33-8a, the Committee may make and publish Local Rules
for local abnormal conditions if they are consistent with the policy
established in this Appendix. In addition, detailed information
regarding acceptable and prohibited Local Rules is provided in
“Decisions on the Rules of Golf” under Rule 33-8 and in “How to Conduct
a Competition.”
If local abnormal conditions interfere with the proper playing of the
game and the Committee considers it necessary to modify a Rule of Golf,
authorization from the United States Golf Association must be obtained.
1. Defining
Bounds and Margins
Specifying means used to define out of bounds, water hazards, lateral
water hazards, ground under repair, obstructions and integral parts of
the course (Rule 33-2a).
2. Water
Hazards
a. Lateral Water Hazards
Clarifying the status of water hazards that may be lateral water hazards
(Rule 26).
b. Provisional Ball
Permitting play of a provisional ball under Rule 26-1 for a ball that
may be in a water hazard of such character that if the original ball is
not found, there is reasonable evidence that it is lost in the water
hazard and it would be impracticable to determine whether the ball is in
the hazard or to do so would unduly delay play. The ball is played
provisionally under any of the available options under Rule 26-1 or any
applicable Local Rule. In such a case, if provisional ball is played and
the original ball is in a water hazard, the player may play the original
ball as it lies or continue with the provisional ball in play, but he
may not proceed under Rule 26-1 with regard to the original ball.
3. Areas of
the Course Requiring Preservation; Environmentally-Sensitive Areas
Assisting preservation of the course by defining areas, including turf
nurseries, young plantations and other parts of the course under
cultivation, as “ground under repair” from which play is prohibited.
When the Committee is required to prohibit play from
environmentally-sensitive areas that are on or adjoin the course, it
should make a Local Rule clarifying the relief procedure.
4. Temporary
Conditions — Mud, Extreme Wetness, Poor Conditions and Protection of
Course
a. Lifting an Embedded Ball, Cleaning
Temporary conditions that might interfere with proper playing of the
game, including mud and extreme wetness, warranting relief for an
embedded ball anywhere through the green or permitting lifting, cleaning
and replacing a ball anywhere through the green or on a closely mown
area through the green.
b. “Preferred Lies” and “Winter Rules”
Adverse conditions, including the poor condition of the course or the
existence of mud, are sometimes so general, particularly during winter
months, that the Committee may decide to grant relief by temporary Local
Rule either to protect the course or to promote fair and pleasant play.
The Local Rule should be withdrawn as soon as the conditions warrant.
5.
Obstructions
a. General
Clarifying the status of objects that may be obstructions (Rule 24).
Declaring any construction to be an integral part of the course and,
accordingly, not an obstruction, e.g., built-up sides of teeing grounds,
putting greens and bunkers (Rules 24 and 33-2a).
b. Stones in Bunkers
Allowing the removal of stones in bunkers by declaring them to be
“movable obstructions” (Rule 24-1).
c. Roads and Paths
(i) Declaring artificial surfaces and sides of roads and paths to be
integral parts of the course, or
(ii) Providing relief of the type afforded under Rule 24-2b from roads
and paths not having artificial surfaces and/or sides, if they could
unfairly affect play.
d. Immovable Obstructions Close to Putting Green
Providing relief from intervention by immovable obstructions on or
within two club-lengths of the putting green when the ball lies within
two club-lengths of the immovable obstruction.
e. Protection of Young Trees
Providing relief for the protection of young trees.
f. Temporary Obstructions
Providing relief from interference by temporary obstructions (e.g.,
grandstands, television cables and equipment, etc.).
6. Dropping
Zones (Ball Drops)
Establishing special areas on which balls may or must be dropped when it
is not feasible or practicable to proceed exactly in conformity with
Rule 24-2b (Immovable Obstruction), Rule 24-3 (Ball Lost in
Obstruction), Rule 25-1b or 25-1c (Abnormal Ground Conditions), Rule
25-3 (Wrong Putting Green), Rule 26-1 (Water Hazards and Lateral Water
Hazards) or Rule 28 (Ball Unplayable).
Back to Rules of Golf |
