Resorters
2021 Rules of Play and Information
Resorters tournament play is governed by the USGA Rules of Golf, and by the following Local Rules and Definitions. Any changes or additions to these will be supplied on a Notice to Competitors and/or supplementary Local Rules sheet.
Unless otherwise noted, the penalty for breach of a Local Rule or Condition is:
Match Play-Loss of Hole; Stroke Play-Two Strokes.
DISTANCE-MEASURING DEVICES (Rule 4.3) – The use of these devices is permitted during the Resorters. (DISTANCE ONLY)
PRACTICE BETWEEN HOLES (Stroke Play Only) – “Between the play of two holes, a player must not play any practice stroke on or near the putting green of the hole last played and must not test the surface of the putting green of the hole last played by rolling a ball.”
PENALTY: Two Strokes at next hole.
EMBEDDED BALL (Rule 16.3)– Rule 16.3 allows relief for a ball embedded anywhere in the general area (that is previously known as “through the green”) except when embedded in the sand.
PLAYING TWO BALLS WHEN UNCERTAIN WHAT TO DO (Rule 20.1c(3); Stroke Play Only) - A player who is uncertain about the right procedure while playing a hole may complete the hole with two balls without penalty by following the procedure found in Rule 20.1c(3). The player MUST report the facts to the Committee before returning the scorecard; the player is disqualified if he or she fails to do so. In Match Play any rules question must be resolved before players proceed to the next hole. Please consult with a rules official or call the pro-shop to have a rules official resolve the rule in question.
PACE OF PLAY – The pace of play is governed by the Resorters Pace of Play Policy and will be posted on the Resorters webpage and at the starting hole(s) of the competition.
ACCIDENTAL MOVEMENT OF A BALL ON A PUTTING GREEN – If a ball that is in play and at rest on the course moves, the player should refer to Rule 9.2. NOTE: If a ball on the putting green has been lifted and been replaced, the ball MUST be replaced on its original spot no matter the cause for the movement, no penalty. EXCEPTION: If the ball begins to move during the backswing or stroke and the stroke is made, see Rule 9.1b.
CONFORMING BALL RULE - Local Rule as prescribed in Section 8 of the Committee Procedures is in effect. Model Local Rule G-3. PENALTY: Disqualification.
DISCONTINUANCE OF PLAY - Signals:
- Potentially dangerous situations - One prolonged air horn note, repeated.
- Other types of suspension - Three consecutive air horn notes, repeated.
- Resumption of play - Two short air horn notes, repeated.
When play is suspended for a potentially dangerous situation, play must discontinue immediately and must not resume until the Committee has ordered a resumption of play. All practice areas are closed during suspension for a potentially dangerous situation until the Committee has declared them open. PENALTY FOR BREACH OF LOCAL RULE: Disqualification.
STONES IN BUNKERS – Stones in bunkers are movable obstructions (Rule 12 applies).
WOOD CHIPS & MULCH (Rule 15) – Wood chips and mulch, unless otherwise specified, are to be treated as loose impediments.
OBSTRUCTIONS - An obstruction is anything artificial, including the artificial surfaces of roads & paths and white lined areas tying into them, except:
- Objects defining out of bounds, such as a wall, fences, stakes & railings;
- Any part of an immovable artificial object which is out of bounds; and
- Any construction declared by the committee to be an integral part of the course. See Rule 24.
TEMPORARY IMMOVABLE OBSTRUCTIONS - All tents, scoreboards and other temporary equipment on the course, provided it is not readily movable, are considered to be Temporary Immovable Obstructions. Local Rule as prescribed in Section 8 of the Committee Procedures is in effect. Model Local Rule F-23.
PROTECTION OF YOUNG TREES – Young trees will be identified by orange ribbons. If such a tree interferes with a player’s stance or area of his intended swing, the ball must be lifted, without penalty, and dropped in accordance with the procedure prescribed in Rule 16.1 (Immovable Obstruction)
GROUND UNDER REPAIR - Defined by white lines. In addition, French Drains and Flowerbeds on the course are deemed to be ground under repair even if not so marked. Rule 16.1.
PENALTY AREA STAKES AND LINES-
Penalty Areas are defined by yellow stakes, flags or yellow lines. Rule 17.1.
Lateral Penalty Areas are defined by red stakes, flags or red lines. Rule 17.1.
- When stakes, flags and lines are used to define penalty areas and lateral penalty areas, stakes and flags identify penalty areas and lines define margins.
- When a lateral penalty area is defined on only one side, it is deemed to extend to infinity.
- When penalty areas and lateral penalty areas are bounded by out of bounds, the penalty area margin extends to and coincides with the out of bounds line.
OUT OF BOUNDS - Defined by nearest inside points of stakes, flags, fence posts, and masonry walls at ground level. When OB is defined by white line on the ground, the line itself is out of bounds. Rule 27-1.
OVERHEAD POWER LINES - Local Rule as prescribed in Section 8 of the Committee Procedures is in effect. Model Local Rule E-11: “If it is known or virtually certain that a player’s ball that is in bounds hits a power line during play, the stroke does not count. The player must play a ball without penalty from where the previous stroke was made.” However, a ball striking a tower, pole or support wire without striking the power line itself, or striking the power line when out of bounds, must be played as it lies. There is no line of flight relief from these obstructions.
REPORTING RESULTS - Upon completion of play, players should check their hole-by-hole score carefully. Both the player and the marker must verify the scores, sign card and return it to the Committee in a prompt manner. If electronic scoring is used, players must verify scores with scoring committee in a prompt manner.
CLOSE OF COMPETITION - The competition is deemed to have closed when the trophy has been presented to the winner or, in the absence of a prize ceremony, when the Committee has approved all scores.