LOCAL RULES AND CONDITIONS OF COMPETITION
FOR 2009 TENNESSEE GOLF ASSOCIATION CHAMPIONSHIPS
The Rules of the United States Golf Association govern play. See applicable Championship or qualifying round Notice to Players and Entry Application for additional Local Rules and
Conditions. Complete text of Rules and Appendix I may be found in the current “Rules of Golf”.
Unless otherwise provided, penalty for breach of a Local Rule or Condition:
Stroke Play - Two Strokes; Match Play - Loss of Hole
LOCAL RULES
OUT OF BOUNDS: Defined by inside points, at ground level, of white stakes and fence posts. Rule 27-1. Note: A ball, which crosses a public road defined as out of bounds and comes to rest beyond that road, is out of bounds, even though it may lie on another part of the course.
WATER HAZARD/LATERAL WATER HAZARDS:When a water hazard or a lateral water hazard is defined on only one side, it is deemed to extend to infinity. When a water hazard or lateral water hazard is bounded by out of bounds, the hazard margin extends to and coincides with the out of bounds line.
WATER HAZARDS: Defined by yellow lines and designated by yellow stakes. When both stakes and lines are present, the stakes identify the hazard and the lines define the margin.
LATERAL WATER HAZARDS: Defined by red lines and designated by red stakes. When both stakes and lines are present, the stakes identify the hazard and the lines define the margin.
GROUND UNDER REPAIR: Defined by white lines. Fire ant hills and French drains are deemed to be ground under repair. Rule 25-1. (Note: For a player whose ball is in a water hazard and is affected by a fire ant hill – see Decision 1-4/10.) Newly trenched areas are deemed to be ground under repair for which relief may only be taken for interference by lie of ball.
OBSTRUCTIONS:includes asphalt and artificially surfaced roads and paths. White lined areas tying into roads and paths have the same status as the road or path; thus they are obstructions and not ground under repair.Railroad ties, curbing or the like adjoining a cart path are deemed to be part of the cart path. Relief from ground netting is available for lie of ball and area of intended swing only.
SOD SEAMS: The Local Rule for Seams of Cut Turf as prescribed in Appendix I is in effect.
WOOD CHIPS AND MULCH: are loose impediments, unless otherwise provided for in Notice to Players.
EMBEDDED BALL THROUGH THE GREEN:Local Rule as prescribed in Appendix I shall be in effect.
INTEGRAL PARTS OF THE COURSE: includes tree wrappings, electrical wires, cables and lightning rods closely attached to trees; liners in bunkers and artificial walls and pilings when located in hazards, unless otherwise provided for in Notice to Players.
ELEVATED POWER LINES AND CABLES:Local Rule as prescribed in Appendix I is in effect.
TEMPORARY IMMOVABLE OBSTRUCTIONS: Local Rule as prescribed in Appendix I is in effect.
DISTANCE MEASURING DEVICES: In all qualifying rounds and championships, a player may obtain distance information by using a device that measures distance only. However, if, during a stipulated round, a player uses a distance-measuring device that is designed to gauge or measure other conditions that might affect his play (e.g., gradient, wind-speed, temperature, etc.), the player is in breach of Rule 14-3, for which the penalty is disqualification, regardless of whether any such additional functions are actually used.
PRACTICE ON OR NEAR THE PUTTING GREEN OF THE HOLE LAST PLAYED IS PROHIBITED:Local Rule as prescribed in Appendix I shall be in effect.
TURF PLUGS ON PUTTING GREENS: On the putting green, in addition to Rule 16-1c, the player may repair turf plugs of any size. Note: Aeration holes on the putting green are not turf plugs.
STAKED TREES: If a player’s ball, stance and/or area of intended swing is interfered with by a stake which is attached to a tree, the stake and/or rope is treated as an immovable obstruction.
CONDITIONS
LIST OF CONFORMING DRIVER HEADS: Optional Condition as prescribed in Appendix I is in effect.
LIST OF CONFORMING GOLF BALLS: Optional Condition as prescribed in Appendix I is in effect.
TIME OF STARTING: Optional Condition as prescribed in Appendix 1 is in effect.
PACE OF PLAY: A player shall be subject to penalty if he unduly delays play. Notes under Rule 6-7 and Optional Condition as prescribed in Appendix I shall be in effect. Pace of Play guidelines are usually published and distributed at TGA Competitions.
DISCONTINUANCE OF PLAY: Optional Condition as prescribed in Appendix I is in effect. All practice areas are closed during suspension for a dangerous situation (one prolonged airhorn note) until the Committee has declared them open. Players who practice on closed practice areas will be asked to cease doing so; failure to comply may result in revocation of entry. When play is suspended for a dangerous situation (one prolonged airhorn note), if the players in a match or group are between the play of two holes, they shall not resume play until the Committee has ordered a resumption of play. If they are in the process of playing a hole, they shall discontinue play immediately and shall not thereafter resume play until the Committee has ordered a resumption of play.
NOTE: A suspension for a dangerous situation shall be signaled by one prolonged siren or airhorn note. All other types of suspension shall be signaled by several short intermittent siren or airhorn notes.
Resumption of play shall be signaled by two intermittent siren or airhorn notes.
PRACTICE: Prior to and after his round in stroke play, a player may practice on the designated practice areas. Rule 7-1b applies to other practice in stroke play, and Rule 7-1a covers practice before the round in match play.
CLOSE OF COMPETITION: The competition is deemed to have closed when the trophy has been presented to the winner or, in the absence of a prize ceremony, when all scores have been approved by the Committee.
Once the match play draw has been approved by the Committee, the competition has closed for all non-qualifiers. In the event of the disqualification of a qualifier prior to his first match, that player’s opponent will receive a “bye” in the first round.
The result of a match is considered to have been “officially announced” when the Committee has approved the result as posted on the public scoreboard.
CARTS: Only contestants are allowed to drive or ride in golf carts during the stipulated round. Caddies must walk at all times. However, the player’s bag may be on the golf cart or carried by the caddie. PENALTY FOR BREACH OF CONDITION: Match Play – At the conclusion of the hole at which the breach is discovered, the state of the match is adjusted by deducting one hole for each hole at which a breach occurred. Maximum deduction per round: Two hole. Stroke Play – Two strokes for each hole at which any breach occurred; maximum penalty per round: Four strokes. Match or stroke play – In the event of a breach between the play of two holes, the penalty applies to the next hole. Use of any unauthorized transportation must be discontinued immediately upon discovery that a breach has occurred. Otherwise, the player is disqualified.
CELL PHONES:Cellular telephones are strictly PROHIBITED during the stipulated round. PENALTY FOR BREACH OF THIS CONDITION: First offense – warning, Second offense – disqualification.
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