OHIO GOLF ASSOCIATION
LOCAL RULES AND TERMS OF THE COMPETITION

 

The Rules of Golf as approved by the United States Golf Association and The R&A govern play. Complete text of the Rules and Local Rules may be found in the Official Guide to the Rules of Golf, effective January 2019.


Unless otherwise noted, the penalty for breach of a Local Rule is the general penalty.


LOCAL RULES

OUT OF BOUNDS — Defined by the line between the course-side points, at ground level, of white stakes and fence posts or white lines. When lines are present, the line defines the boundary of the OB.  A ball that 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.


PENALTY AREAS — When a penalty area is defined on only one side, it extends to infinity. When a penalty area is connected to the out-of-bounds edge, the penalty area extends to and coincides with out of bounds. Penalty areas can be marked by yellow or red stakes or yellow or red paint.

GROUND UNDER REPAIR — Defined by white lines. French drains are ground under repair.  Decorative Flowers and the beds they are in are ground under repair.  Please note that these could be No Play Zones and will be noted on the Event specific Local Rules

WHITE-LINED AREAS TYING INTO ARTIFICIALLY SURFACED ROADS AND PATHS — White-lined areas of ground under repair and the 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.


WOOD CHIPS AND MULCH — Are loose impediments.


IMMOVABLE OBSTRUCTIONS — Relief from interference by an immovable obstruction may be taken under Rule 16.1.  Relief is also available if the ball lies in the general area and the obstruction is: on the line of play, within two club lengths of the putting green and is within two club lengths of the ball.  Model Local Rule F-5. 


INTEGRAL OBJECTS — Include cables, rods, wires and wrappings when closely attached to trees, and artificial walls and pilings when located in penalty areas and bunkers.  Artificial objects defined by the Committee as integral objects are not obstructions.

TEMPORARY IMMOVABLE OBSTRUCTIONS — (TIO) Relief for physical interference or line of play interference.  Model Local Rule F-23.

RELIEF FROM SEAMS OF CUT TURF — Relief for a ball that lies in one of the cut turf seams, or if a seam interferes with the players area of intended swing.  No relief for standing on seam only.  Model Local Rule F-7.

 

REPLACEMENT OF CLUB—Model Local Rule G-9 is in effect.

MODEL LOCAL RULE E-12 is in effect.  Ball played from outside relief areas when taking back on the line relief.   

 

CADDIES—A player must not have another player who has or will compete in the same round as his caddie during the round.  Penalty for breach of Local Rule:  The player gets the general penalty for each hole during which he is helped by such a caddie.  If the breach happens or continues between two holes, the player gets the general penalty for the next hole:  Modern Local Rule 8H. 

 

SHOES:  During a round, a player must not wear shoes with

  • Traditional spies-that is, spikes having single or multiple points designed to penetrate deeply into the surface of the ground (regardless of whether made of metal, ceramic, plastic or other materials
  • Spikes of any design that are entirely or partially made of metal, If such metal may come in contact with the course.

Penalty for breach of this Local Rule:  See Rule 4.3  Modern Local Rule G-7

 

TERMS OF THE COMPETITION

LIST OF CONFORMING DRIVER HEADS AND GOLF BALLS — Local Rules as prescribed in Section 8 of the Committee Procedures are in effect. Model Local Rules G-1 and G-3.  A ball used in making a stroke must be on the current List of Conforming Golf Balls issued by the USGA.  A player may change the brand and model between holes or when a Rule permits.

GROOVE AND PUNCH MARK SPECIFICATIONS — Local Rule as prescribed in Section 8 of the Committee Procedures is in effect. Model Local Rule G-2.


PACE OF PLAY — See separate memorandum to players for pace of play policy.


STOPPING AND RESUMING PLAY — Local Rule as prescribed in Section 8 of the Committee Procedures is in effect. Model Local Rule J-1.  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.

An immediate suspension will be signaled by one prolonged air horn note. Two short air horn notes will signal resumption of play. Three consecutive air horn notes will signal all other types of suspension.

DECISION OF TIES  — See Local Rules sheet. 

 

COMPETITION IS FINAL— The competition is closed when the result has been officially announced.