LOCAL RULES Stanford Men's Golf Club

(Approved April 8, 2025)

 

In addition to USGA Rules, the following Local Rules are in effect for all Men's Club tournaments, unless otherwise specified by the

Committee. Lie includes area of intended swing for all rules below. Unless otherwise specified, relief is optional. Please reference the USGA

Rules app for detail. Model Local Rules (MLR) noted below are listed in the app under Committee Procedures/8. Model Local Rules. 

 

  1. First Hole Teeing Area: A ball hitting a power line in front of first or second tee must be replayed without penalty.  The area from the tee side of the concrete walkway in front of the first tee through the border fence on the opposite side of Junipero Serra Boulevard is out of bounds. MLR E‐11
  2. Ground Under Repair: 
    1. Ground Cracks/Fissures (at least 1/2 inch in width): Relief in the general area for lie, only, not stance, except for mown (to fairway height or less) areas, where there is also relief for stance. MLR F‐8
    2. Sod Seams: If a ball comes to rest in a sodded area, the player is entitled to relief only if the ball lies in or on the sod seam. No relief for stance. MLR F‐7
    3. French Drains: French drains consist of a trench containing gravel to facilitate drainage. French drains are ground under repair
    4. Flower Bed: Beds between 11 and 14 greens are “no play” areas requiring mandatory free relief. MLR E‐8.1
    5. Aeration Holes: Relief for any ball lying on top of an aeration hole. Free relief for lie or area of intended swing, only. MLR E‐4
  3. Animal Holes:  Free relief from animal holes is granted for lie and area of intended swing, only.
  4. Relief from Retaining Wall on #7:  The retaining wall to the left of #7 green is an immovable obstruction and free relief is provided for that.
  5. Relief from Paths on #8:  Relief for a ball in bounds on or to the street side of the concrete path to the left of the #8 fairway and green by way of a free drop within one club length of the nearest point of relief not closer to the hole on the creek side of the cart path.   
  6. Provisional Balls for Penalty Areas: Provisional balls may be played for balls hit towards the penalty areas on #1, #3, #4, #8, #9, and #14 when it is unknown whether the original ball is lost in the penalty area or not. If the original ball is found outside the penalty area, the original ball MUST be played.  If the original ball is found inside the penalty area, either the provisional or the original ball may be played as it lies (note: there are NO penalty area relief options for the original ball). MLR B‐3
  7. Immovable Obstructions Close to Putting Green: If the player’s ball lies in the general area and an immovable obstruction on or within two club‐lengths of the putting green and within two club‐lengths of the ball intervenes on the line of play between the ball and the hole, the ball may be dropped without penalty that (a) is not nearer the hole, (b) avoids intervention and (c) is not in a penalty area or on the putting green. MLR F‐5.1
  8. Practice:  Practice On The Course shall not be permitted prior to a round in any format, provided that practice prior to a Match Play round is permitted as per USGA Rule 5.2 only if the player has a tee time through the Pro Shop.   “On The Course” shall be defined as all areas of Holes 1 through 19, provided that practice in the following areas is permitted prior to any round:  (a) within 25 feet of designated practice green and bunkers to the right of the 1st fairway near the first green, (b) putting green and fringe near the 10th tee bathroom, (c) the 19th hole putting green and fringe, (d) the two practice greens near the 1st tee, and (e) the Driving Range/Learning Center.  Specifically, the 19 tee and fairway are On The Course and practice thereon is not permitted.  If a player incurs multiple penalties during the same season the Men’s Club Board of Directors may impose sanction on participation in future Men’s Club events.
  9. Slow Play: A group shall be considered “Out of Position” if they are playing at a pace slower that 15 minutes per hole, or 4 hour 30 minute pace for completion of the round.  Provided, however, a group shall not be considered Out of Position if that group is within 1½ holes of the group ahead.  At the discretion of the Tournament Committee or the Course Marshal, a group Out of Position after one warning may be required to move to the subsequent tee that will make them not be Out of Position, and be required to take net double bogeys for the hole being played and each other hole that must be skipped to put them back in position. 
  10. Tie‐breaking Procedure: Unless a playoff or other method specified by the Committee is used, the official scores (registered through Golf Genius) will be compared in the following order: (i) for 2‐day events use results of second day; if still tied and all 1‐day events (ii) total, holes 10‐18, if still tied, then; (iii) total, holes 13‐18, if still tied, then; (iv) total, holes 16‐18, and so on.  Playoffs are used at the discretion of the Committee.
  11. Maximum Score: The Maximum Score any player may take in a Men's Club event is net double bogey, unless the tournament Committee designates some other Maximum Score.  Maximum Score is not used in the Club Championship (but is used for Club Championship qualifying).
  12. Alternative to Stroke and Distance for Lost Ball or Ball Out of Bounds: MLR E‐5, “Alternative to Stroke and Distance for Lost Ball or Ball Out of Bounds” is adopted as a Local Rule for all Men’s Club Events.
  13. Winter Rules.  Winter Rules, also known as “lift, clean and place” or “preferred lies”, shall not be in place for any Men’s Club tournament unless the Tournament Committee announces that “Winter Rules shall be in effect” for that Round.  When in effect, relief shall be as described in MLR E‐3 with a relief area of 12 inches.