Local Rules
All Players Club events are played under USGA rules.
Embedded Ball –
Embedded Ball Rule (USGA): in effect for all competitions.
In the general area (see note below) a ball that is embedded in its own pitch mark in the ground may be lifted, cleaned and dropped (within not more than one club-length) to where it lay but not nearer the hole. (USGA Rule 16.3b)See Appendix I of the USGA Rules Book for additional restrictions.
OGA Players Club “Preferred Lies”
During inclement weather, the committee may adopt for any round this local rule for preferred lies.
- A ball lying in the general area (see note below) may be lifted without penalty and cleaned. The player must mark its position before lifting the ball. Having lifted the ball, the Player drop the ball (within not more than one club-length) to where it lay but not nearer the hole.
- Due inclement weather, the player may place it on a spot within one club length of and not nearer the hole than where it was dropped. The place may not be in a penalty area or on a putting green.
- A player may place his ball only once, and it is in play when it has been placed (Rule 20-4(?)). If the ball fails to come to rest on the spot on which it was placed, Rule 20-3d (?) applies. If the ball subsequently moves after being placed, there is no penalty and the ball must be played as it lies, unless the provisions of any other Rule apply.
If the player fails to mark the position of the ball before lifting it or moves the ball in any other manner, such as rolling it with a club, he incurs a penalty of one stroke.
Note: “General Area” means any area of the course, (except for teeing areas, penalty areas, bunkers, and putting greens) including paths through the rough, cut to fairway height or less.
Penalty Areas
There are two types of penalty areas on the golf course: Red penalty and Yellow penalty areas. The player may play the ball as it lies in the penalty area without taking relief (except for Environmental Areas – see below). The player may play the ball outside the penalty area by taking penalty relief, adding one penalty stroke.
Red Penalty Area relief – three options:
1. Stroke and Distance – from where ball was originally played;
2. Back-on-the-Line – in a relief area 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.
3. Lateral relief – in a relief area of two club lengths from the estimated point where the original ball last crossed the edge of the penalty area, but not nearer the hole.
Yellow Penalty Area relief – two options:
1. Stroke and Distance – from where ball was originally played;
2. Back-on-the-Line – in a relief area 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.
14th Hole Penalty Area
During play of the 14th hole, the penalty area on hole #8 is deemed to be a Red Penalty area. The player may drop the ball in a lateral relief area. That is: Within two club lengths from where ball last crossed the penalty, and not nearer the hole.
Drop Areas
There are drop areas on the course. Not all drop areas are used by the Players Club.
The following are not in effect for Players Club events: Holes #7, #8 and #14.
Holes #4 and #5 have multiple drop areas each, and are in effect for the Players Club. When multiple drop areas are on a hole, you must go back from where your ball entered the penalty area to the drop area. You may NOT go forward to a drop area.
Pace of Play –
It is the responsibility of each player to make sure their group maintains:
(1) A 4 hr.-15 min. pace for 18 holes; and/or
2) Finishes the last (18th) hole by replacing the flagstick within 14 minutes of the group ahead of you.
The goal is to finish about ten minutes behind the group ahead – (approximately the same amount of time when starting.) Consideration will be given for a lost ball or other delay that occurs on either of the last two holes.
PENALTY FOR SLOWER PLAY THAN (1) OR (2) ABOVE-
First offense – Warning – For play fifteen-to-twenty minutes late.
If more than 20 minutes late – Two Strokes : (USGA Rule 5.6b(3) & Pace of Play Policy 5G). This penalty is to each player in the group.
Second offense (Note: for an event later in the season) – Two Strokes : (USGA Rule 5.6b(3) & Pace of Play Policy 5G). This penalty is to each player with a previous first offense in the group. (Example: Players A, B, C, D get at two stroke penalty for being more than 20 minutes behind. Later in the season, players A, E, F, G are up to 20 minutes late. Player A gets a two-stroke penalty, the other players get a warning.)
Repeated offenses will be dealt with by the Tournament Committee.
Scoring –
Every ball counting toward a team or individual score must be holed (No gimmees).
Beginning with the Masters event, all ties for pay outs will be added and divided evenly.
Distance Measuring Devices
Devices that measure or gauge distance only are allowed under Model Local Rule G-5 (“8G Restrictions on Use of Specific Equipment” – USGA Rules of Golf – 2019).
Environmental Areas
Do not enter any areas marked as “Environmental” – identified by RED stakes with Green tops, or Yellow stakes with Green tops. For example: the Penalty Area between the 14th fairway and green is an Environmental Area.
Do Not make a stroke at a ball in an Environmental Area.
Penalty is disqualification from the event.
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