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2026 LOCAL RULES & TERMS OF THE COMPETITION
Play is governed by the Golf Canada Rules of Golf (effective January 2023), and, where applicable, by the following Local Rules and Terms of the Competition, subject to changes, additions or deletions for particular championships and qualifying rounds. The player’s attention is drawn to the Terms of the Competition printed on the forms accompanying applications for entry. Complete text of Local Rules may be found in the Golf Canada Official Guide to the Rules of Golf (effective January 2023). Unless otherwise noted, the penalty for a breach of a Local Rule is the General Penalty.
1. Out of Bounds (Rule 18.2) – Defined by the line between the course-side points at ground level of white dots, lines, stakes and posts of fences defining out of bounds. A ball is out of bounds when it is beyond any wall defining the boundary of the course.
Closed gates that are attached to boundary walls and fences are part of the boundary object. Relief is not allowed from such a gate under Rules 15.2 or 16.1. An open gate is not treated as part of the boundary object and may be closed or moved to a different position: Model Local Rule F-26 is in effect.
2. Abnormal Course Conditions (Including Immovable Obstructions) (Rule 16) – Ground Under Repair – Rule 16.1 includes:
a. Areas defined by white lines.
b. Drainage ditches filled with stones (French drains).
c. Seams of Cut Turf – Model Local Rule F-7 is in effect. Interference exists if a player’s ball lies in or touches a seam of cut turf or a seam interferes with the player’s area of intended swing. However, interference does not exist if the seam only interferes with the player’s stance. All seams within the area of cut turf are treated as the same seam in taking relief.
d. White-Lined Areas Tying Into Artificially Surfaced Roads and Paths – White-lined areas of ground under repair and artificially surfaced roads, paths or other identified obstructions that they are connected to are a single abnormal course condition when taking relief under Rule 16.1.
e. Painted Lines or Dots – Model Local Rule F-21.1 is in effect. Painted lines or dots on the putting green or in a part of the general area cut to fairway height or less are to be treated as ground under repair from which relief is allowed under Rule 16.1. But interference does not exist if painted lines or dots only interfere with the player's stance.
3. Immovable Obstructions Close to Putting Greens – Model Local Rule F-5.2 is in effect. For a ball in the general area, relief may be taken under Rule 16.1b when both the ball and obstruction lie in an area cut to fairway height or less. The ball must be within two club-lengths of the obstruction and the obstruction must be located:
a. On or within two club-lengths of the putting green, and
b. On the player’s line of play.
4. Wood Chips and Mulch – Wood chips and mulch are loose impediments.
5. Integral Objects – The following are integral objects from which free relief is not allowed:
a. The portion of cables, wires, wrappings and other similar objects closely attached to trees;
b. Artificial retaining walls and/or pilings when located within penalty areas or which are adjacent to the edge of bunkers;
c. Bunker liners in their intended position. An exposed bunker liner may be treated as ground under repair by the Committee. However, interference by a bunker liner does not exist if the bunker liner only interferes with a player’s stance.
6. Animals Near Ball – Model Local Rule E-13 is in effect. An animal that is not defined as a loose impediment and is touching or near a player’s ball may be removed. If the ball moves while removing the animal, there is no penalty and the ball must be replaced.
7. Temporary Immovable Obstructions – Model Local Rule F-23 is in effect. Temporary Immovable
Obstructions include, but are not limited to, starting and scoring tents.
8. Penalty Areas (Rule 17) – When a red penalty area is defined on only one side, it is deemed to extend to infinity. When a red penalty area adjoins a boundary, the penalty area edge extends to and coincides with the boundary.
9. Specifications of Clubs and the Ball
a. List of Conforming Driver Heads: Model Local Rule G-1 is in effect.
Penalty for making a stroke with a club in breach of this Local Rule: Disqualification.
b. Groove and Punch Mark Specifications: Model Local Rule G-2 is in effect but is modified as the exception to G-2 does not apply.
Penalty for making a stroke with a club in breach of this Local Rule: Disqualification.
c. List of Conforming Golf Balls: Model Local Rule G-3 is in effect.
Penalty for making a stroke with a ball in breach of this Local Rule: Disqualification.
d. Replacing Club that is Broken or Significantly Damaged – Revised Model Local Rule G-9 effective January 1, 2026, is in effect.
Penalty for breach of this Local Rule – See Rule 4.1b.
Note: An updated List of Conforming Clubs and Balls is available on the Rules of Golf webpage on golfcanada.ca
10. Caddies – Rule 10.3a is modified as follows: A player must not have another player in the competition, who has played or will play in the same round, as their caddie during a round. The player gets the General Penalty for each hole during which there is a breach of this Local Rule. If the breach occurs between the play of two holes, it applies to the next hole.
11. Pace of Play (Rule 5.6b(3)) – A British Columbia Golf Pace of Play Policy will be in effect at all competitions and will be communicated prior to the start of the competition. Full policies are available on each tournament website and in the British Columbia Golf Tournament Office.
Note: Rule 5.6a (Unreasonable Delay of Play) is still applicable.
12. Stopping and Resuming Play (Rule 5.7) – Model Local Rule J-1 is in effect as follows:
a. Immediate suspension (Dangerous Situation): One prolonged note of the air horn.
b. Normal Suspension (Non-Dangerous situation): Three short notes of the air horn.
c Resume Play: Two short notes of the air horn.
Note: All practice areas are closed during an immediate suspension for a dangerous situation until the Committee has declared them open. Players who practice on closed practice areas will be asked to stop practicing; failure to stop practicing might result in disqualification.
13. Practice (Rule 5.2 and 5.5)
a. Before or between rounds – Model Local Rule I-1.2 is in effect and Rule 5.2b is modified as follows: A player must not make a practice stroke on the competition course (except on or near their first teeing area or any practice area) on the day of a competition or between rounds.
Penalty for first breach: General Penalty (applied to the player’s first hole). Penalty for second breach: Disqualification.
b. Between holes – Model Local Rule I-2 is in effect and Rule 5.5b is modified as follows: Between the play of two holes, a player must not:
• Make any practice stroke on or near the putting green of the hole just completed, or • Test the surface of that putting green by rubbing the putting green or rolling a ball.
14. Transportation – Model Local Rule G-6 is in effect and is modified as follows: During a round, players or caddies must not ride on any form of motorized transportation unless authorized or later approved by the Tournament Rules Committee. A player proceeding under a stroke and distance penalty is always authorized to use motorized transportation for that purpose.
15. Code of Conduct (Rule 1.2) – British Columbia Golf has adopted a Local Rule under Rule 1.2b setting standards of player conduct on the golf course during play at all competitions. Full policies are available on each tournament website and in the British Columbia Golf Tournament Office.
The British Columbia Golf Tournament Rules Committee may assess any or all of the following penalties outlined below, based on the severity and frequency of the violation:
• Warning
• One penalty stroke
• General Penalty
• Disqualification

Note: Under Rule 1.2a, the British Columbia Golf Tournament Committee may disqualify a player for serious misconduct for acting contrary to the spirit of the game.

16. Prohibiting or Restricting Use of Audio and Video Devices - Model Local Rule G-8 is in effect. Rule 4.3a(4) is modified in this way: During a round, a player must not listen to or watch content of any nature on a personal audio or video device
17. Scorecard Responsibilities
a. Scorecard Returned – The scorecard of a player or a side is returned to the Committee 15 minutes after the scorecard is accepted into the electronic scoring system. See Supplement to the Notice to Players for all relevant information.
b. Missing Player or Marker Certification – Model Local Rule L-1 is in effect and Rule 3.3b(2) is modified as follows – If a player returns a scorecard without the hole scores being certified either by the player, the marker or both, the player gets the General Penalty. The penalty applies to the last hole of the player’s round.
18. When Result of Competition is Final – The competition is final when all scores have been validated in the electronic scoring system by the British Columbia Golf Tournament Director and approved by the Committee or when the trophy has been presented to the winner.
CHAMPIONSHIPS COMMITTEE – BRITISH COLUMBIA GOLF