The Rules of Golf as approved by the United States Golf Association and The R&A govern play. These Local Rules and Terms of the Competition are in effect at the Pacific Coast Amateur Championship. See applicable Notice to Players for modifications or additions to these Local Rules and Terms of the Competition. 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.
- Match play—Loss of Hole
- Stroke play—Two Strokes
LOCAL RULES
Out of Bounds — Defined by the line between the course-side points, at ground level, of white stakes and fence posts.
When a paved road or curb defines out of bounds, a ball that is on or beyond the road or curb is out of bounds even though it may lie on another part of the golf 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.
Ball Played from Outside Relief Area When Taking Back-on-the-Line Relief — Model Local Rule E-12 is in effect.
Ground Under Repair — Defined by white lines. French drains are ground under repair.
Ground under repair may include areas of unusual damage, but only when so declared by an authorized member of the Committee. When immediately adjacent to an immovable obstruction, such an area is part of that obstruction.
Relief from Seams of Cut Turf — Local Rule as prescribed in Section 8 of the Committee Procedures is in effect. Model Local Rule F-7.
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.
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.
Wood Chips and Mulch — Are loose impediments.
Limited Relief for Embedded ball — Model Local Rule F-2.2 is in effect. Free relief is not allowed when a ball is embedded in stacked turf faces or soil faces above bunkers.
List of Conforming Driver Heads — Local Rule as prescribed in Section 8 of the Committee Procedures is in effect. Model Local Rule G-1.
List of Conforming Golf Balls — Local Rule as prescribed in Section 8 of the Committee Procedures is in effect. Model Local Rule G-3.
Broken or Significantly Damaged Club — Local Rule as prescribed in the Clarifications to the 2019 Rules of Golf is in effect. Model Local Rule G-9 is in effect.
Limiting When Stroke Made From Putting Green Must Be Replayed Under Exception 2 to Rule 11.1b — Local Rule as prescribed in the Clarifications to the 2019 Rules of Golf is in effect. Model Local Rule D-7.
Prohibited use of Audio Equipment — Rule 4.3 is modified in this way: During a round, a player is not allowed to use an electronic device to listen to music or other audio (such as podcasts or the like), including by using headphones or earbuds. Penalty for breach of Local Rule – see Rule 4.3.
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 airhorn note. All other types of suspension will be signaled by three consecutive airhorn notes. Resumption of play will be signaled by two short airhorn notes.
Practice — Prior to and after a round in stroke play, a player may practice on the designated practice areas. Rule 5.2b covering practice in stroke play is modified in this way: A player may not practice on the competition course before or between rounds. Penalty for breach of Local Rule, see Rule 5.2.
Pace of Play — See separate memorandum to players for pace of play policy, when applicable.
Motorized Transportation — Motorized transportation is prohibited, the Local Rule prescribed in Section 8 of the Committee Procedures is in effect. Model Local Rule G-6.
TERMS OF THE COMPETITION
Time of Starting and Official Time — A player is at his/her starting area when he/she is within the chained area of the starting tee. If a chained area is not present, the starting area will be defined in the Notice to Players. If a player has previously checked in with the starter, he/she is still required to be at the starting area at his/her designated starting time scheduled by the Committee. The Official Time is definded by the clock located at the tee where a player is scheduled to begin the round.
Scoring Area — A player has officially returned his/her scorecard when he/she leaves the scoring area. The scoring area is defined is defined by chains and stanchions, or in their absence, the outside edge of the scoring tent. If a site requires different conditions, the scoring area will be defined in the Notice to Players.
Code of Conduct — See separate Code of Conduct policy which specifies standards of conduct and resulting penalties, including disqualification for serious misconduct violations.
Dress Code — See separate Dress Code Policy. All players and caddies must adhere to the PCGA and Host Club Dress Code Policy through the close of the competition. Any player or their caddie in violation of the Dress Code Policy will not be permitted to start the competition. Violation of the Dress Code Policy during the competition may result in immediate removal if not corrected.
Prohibition on Certain Types of Shoes — The Local Rule as prescribed in Section 8 of the Committee Procedures is in effect at all Championship sites. Model Local Rule G-7.
Ties — In stroke play events, in the event of a tie for champion, a hole-by-hole playoff is used to determine the champion immediately following play.
When Competition is Final — The competition is final when the trophy has been presented to the winner or, in the absence of a prize ceremony, when all scores have been approved by the Committee.