2023 Rules of Play
Play is governed by the Rules of Golf effective January 2023, and where applicable, by the following Local Rules and Terms of the Competition. Committee Procedures refers to the Committee Procedures section in the current Official Guide to the Rules of Golf. The Committee refers to the Tournament Committee assigned to each event. Unless otherwise noted, the penalty for breach of a Local Rule is the general penalty (2-strokes in Stroke Play / Loss of Hole in Match Play)
Abnormal Course Conditions: Ground Under Repair is any area encircled by a white line, including gallery crosswalks (except dropping zones or out of bounds), newly trenched areas, including grass-covered cables, and french drains, which are trenches filled with rocks or stones.
If a player’s ball, in the general area, lies in or touches a seam of cut turf or a seam interferes with the player’s area of intended swing, the player may take relief under Rule 16.1b. But interference does not exist if the seam only interferes with the player’s stance. All seams within the area of cut turf in the general area are treated as the same seam in taking relief. (MLR F-7)
Immovable Obstructions: Asphalt and artificially surfaced roads and paths. White lined areas of ground under repair tying into such roads or paths are treated as a single abnormal course condition when taking relief under Rule 16.1. Railroad ties, curbing or other similar artificial edges adjoining cart paths are part of the same obstruction.
Temporary Immovable Obstructions: MLR F-23 as prescribed in section 8 of the Committee Procedures is in effect.
Ball Deflected by Power Line (MLR E-11): If it is known or virtually certain that a player’s ball hit an overhead power line (or supporting structures), the player must replay a ball without penalty from where the previous stroke was made (see Rule 14.6 for replaying stroke). If the player does not replay the stroke, they get the general penalty and the stroke counts, but the player has not played from a wrong place.
Integral Objects (MLR F-1): (Free relief not allowed): Artificial retaining walls and/or pilings when located in penalty areas, wires, cables, wrappings, signs and lightning rods closely attached to trees or objects and bunker liners in their intended position.
Note: An exposed bunker liner, not in its intended position, is ground under repair if it interferes with the lie of the ball or area of intended swing, not if it ONLY interferes with the player’s stance.
Out of Bounds and Course Boundaries: Out of Bounds is defined by the line between the course-side points at ground level of white stakes and fence posts. When a line is not in use, the stakes or posts define the Out of Bounds.
Procedures for Bad Weather and Suspensions of Play: Methods for Stopping and Resuming Play: A suspension of play for a dangerous situation will be signaled by one prolonged note of a siren or horn. All other suspensions will be signaled by three consecutive notes of a siren or horn. In either case, resumption of play will be signaled by two short notes of a siren or horn.
Note: All practice areas are closed during an immediate suspension for a dangerous situation until the Committee has declared them open.
Restrictions on Practice (MLR I-2): 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 the putting green by rubbing the putting green or rolling a ball; or make any practice stroke on or near any practice green. Penalty: General Penalty applied to the next hole
List of Conforming Driver Heads: MLR G-1 as prescribed in section 8 of the Committee Procedures is in effect. Penalty; Stroke with Club in Breach of this Local Rule: Disqualification.
List of Conforming Golf Balls: MLR G-3 as prescribed in section 8 of the Committee Procedures is in effect. Penalty; Stroke at a Ball Not on Current List in Breach of this Local Rule: Disqualification.
Replacement of Broken Club (MLR G-9):If a player’s club is “broken or significantly damaged” during the round by the player or caddie, except in cases of abuse, the player may replace the club with any club under Rule 4.1b(4). NOTE: A club face or club head is not “broken or significantly damaged” solely because it is cracked.
Music: During their round a player is prohibited from using a device to play and listen to music for ANY benefit to the player such as tempo, mood, relaxation, eliminating distractions, etc. Rule 4.3a(4). Breach of rule 4.3.
Scorecards: For the purpose of applying Rule 3.3b (2), a player’s scorecard is treated as returned when the player has first left the scoring area with both feet. MLR L-1 as prescribed in section 8 of the Committee Procedures is in effect if the player or marker, by accident fails to certify the score card
When the Competition is Final: When all scores have been posted on the official scoreboard and approved by the Committee, the competition is closed.
Code of Conduct: As prescribed in registration agreement and/or Terms of the Competition is in effect.