Tournament Rules
|
INDEX
Rules of Etiquette Hopefully, this section of the Rules of Golf will be seen as a simple introduction to the concepts of Dino's Golf Club Etiquette not only for the new member but also a good review for the experienced member too. Golf Etiquette Golf etiquette is one of the most important parts of the game of golf. The golf etiquette (or the lack of it) that you display on the course will say more about you as a golfer and a person that anything you ever do with your clubs. The love of the game, the understanding of the traditions and the respect for those with whom you play, all come together in the golf etiquette you exhibit on the course. Etiquette has to do with manners. Golf is a game that requires a lot of concentration. If your are trying to make a putt or hit your tee shot into a narrow fairway, it will be much more difficult if someone is laughing, rattling their clubs, or running around the tee or green. There are few rules of etiquette that apply in all situations on the golf course and there are other rules of etiquette that are particular to certain circumstances, especially on the green. Here, we will review the general applications of golf etiquette. Safety The first and foremost rule of golf and golf etiquette is safety. Without some good common sense and a notion of how hard golf balls and clubs are, a golf course can be a very dangerous place. Don't take a practice swings toward another person. Don't swing your clubs when someone is walking around you and don't walk next to someone who is swinging golf clubs. Quiet Quiet is required on the golf course. Golf requires lots of concentration, and even if the people in your immediate group don't seem bothered, there are other groups all around you. Walk, don't run. Running around is annoying, distracting. Pace of Play As much as people enjoy playing golf, they don't want their round to take all day. Here are some things you can do to maintain a good pace of play: Take only one practice swing for each shot or practice while waiting for others. Plan your shot before your turn-be ready in advance As you approach the green determine in which direction the next tee is located and park your cart on that side of the green. If one player is on one side of the fairway and the other player on the opposite side, drop one player off at his ball with a choice of a few clubs, then drive to the next player's ball and meet farther down the fairway, after both have hit their shots. Keep up with the group ahead of you. Play ready golf whenever it is appropriate. Ready golf can really speed things along, but before you hit be sure that everyone in your group knows that you are going to hit and that you are aware of where everyone in your group is. Golf Carts Depending on weather conditions and other variables courses will post different rules relating to the use of carts. Be sure to obey the course rules such as: Keep carts on paths at all times or the 90 degree rule. Always, under all circumstances, keep all carts away from greens and off the teeing ground. Often the course will post signs giving directions as to where they want you to park your cart; follow the directions. On the Teeing Ground The teeing ground is technically the area between the markers and two club lengths behind the markers. But when we refer to the tee, we are really referring to the entire tee box. When you are on the tee the most important thing to keep in mind is to respect the person hitting. Stand behind the player who is hitting or, when it is not possible to be behind, at least be out of the peripheral vision of the one who is hitting. Be sure to be out of range of the golf club. Watch the shots of everyone in your group. This will save a lot of time. Remember to be quiet-don't talk, or giggle about their bad swing or rattle through your bag for your clubs. In the Fairway Once again, it is important to be aware of where the other members of your group are located and the group ahead of you before you hit. You want to be sure that you are not hitting your ball near where someone is standing or looking for their ball. Divots - It is quite normal to "take a divot". If the divots are replaced from which they were hit, they have an excellent chance of growing back without leaving a trace. So if your shot causes a divot walk over, pick it up and put it back into the spot from which it came. · Losing a ball - One of the least fun parts of playing golf is losing a ball. It's frustrating, it's expensive, and guess what! It's going to happen to YOU eventually. You can look for the ball for a few minutes but don't hold up the entire course because you lost a ball. · Bunkers - If your ball lands in the bunker there are a few "rules if golf" and a few "rules of etiquette". Here are the main things to know:
On the Green The putting green is a very special place to golfers. Putting is one of the most important parts of the game. Because the green is such a special place and because putting is so important to your game, there are lots of etiquette rules to know about when you are on the green. Stepping over the ball path - Notice as soon as you step out onto the green the location of everyone's ball. The reason you should carefully note where all the other balls are is so you don't step on the path on which someone else will momentarily putt. The best route to your own ball is to walk behind any other balls laying on the green. Repairing your ball marks - Depending on how hard and fast the ball was traveling, how hard the greens are and how wet, your ball dent may vary from a little bump to a great big gash. When your ball makes a mark on the green you should take out your repair tool and fix it. Marking your ball - When you are on the green the Rule of Golf allow you to mark and clean your ball. Place a coin or ball marker behind your golf ball, on the opposite side of the ball hole. If your ball is in the in direct path of another golfer' shot, you may move your mark up to a club length to either side. Removing/Tending the Flagstick - The Rules of Golf tell us that the ball may not hit strike the flagstick, in the hole when the ball has been played from on the green. Sometimes, however, due to a long putt or an odd angle or the sunshine/shadows, or who knows what the person putting may not be able to see the hole very well. In this instance another golfer in the group can tend the flagstick for the golfer. Tending the flagstick is a courtesy you extend to the other golfers in your group whenever they need that service. Here is the proper way to tend the pin for another golfer: Stand to the side of the cup, right or left, depending on which side your shadow falls. Stand about an arm's length distance from the cup with your feet away from the hole. And be sure you are not standing on anyone else's putting line in the process. With your arm nearest the flagstick reach out and hold the flag against the flagstick to keep it from flapping in the wind. Now as the ball is rolling toward the hole, lift the flagstick straight our, walk quietly to the side of the green and lay down the flagstick. Going to School - Going to school on a putt can save your valuable strokes, but one thing you cannot do is put your education ahead of someone else's opportunity to make a putt. So that means that even though you are studying hard to see where the putt goes, you may not choose a vantage point that is with in peripheral vision of the golfer who is putting or, that will be, in any way, distracting to the putter. When your group is finished putting out, carefully replace the flagstick without damaging the sides of the hole, move off the green quickly and proceed to the next tee. Mark your scores on the next tee, not on the green-this will allow the next group to begin their shots to the green as soon as you are done and benefits all the groups behind you. Dino's Tournament Rules Rule 1 USGA rules will apply at all times. With the following exceptions:
Rule 2 Common sense should prevail. Remember- We have no officials or spotters on the course. Rule 3 Provisional ball relief. If a player hits his first ball from the teeing ground and thinks it may be LOST or OUT-OF-BOUNDS or UNPLAYABLE, the player must hit a PROVISIONAL BALL! If the player cannot find the original ball or provisional ball, the player has two options:
Rule 4 Lost ball, your fairway. If in the event your ball cannot be found and in the opinion of your foursome the ball was in your fairway, another ball may be played from the agreed upon area. (Without penalty to the player). Remember Rule # 2. Rule 5 Maximum strokes to be taken.
Rule 6 Bad Weather. If in the event extreme bad weather conditions exist the tournament chairman and /or committee will make the final decision on the tournament status. (If course is closed, tournament is immediately canceled). Rule 7 Speed of play. As already stated in rules section one, the ready golf rule should be used when ever possible but remember to respect your fellow golfers. Breaks between the first 9 holes and the second 9 holes should be limited to 5 minutes. Searching for golf balls should be limited to a reasonable amount of time. Rule 8 Foursome/Group Captain. The member with the lowest handicap within the foursome, will be considered "The Captain". His responsibilities include:
Rule 9 Rules disputes. The rules committee will act as arbiter for any disputes concerning violations of any golfing rules during tournament play. Any disputes must be brought to the attention of a committee member prior to the conclusion of the tournament. Dress Code Not a rule of the club. However it is the responsibility of each member to adhere with local golf course rules. For example; most local courses require collared shirts, many do not allow "jeans" and you may be required to wear "soft spikes" in your shoes. USGA Rules of Play The Game The game of Golf consists in playing a ball from the teeing ground into the hole by a stroke or successive strokes in accordance with the rules. Players shall not agree to exclude the operation of any Rule or to waive any penalty incurred. Match Play In match play the game is played by holes. Except as otherwise provided in the Rules, a hole is won by the side, which holes its ball in the fewer strokes. In a handicap match the lower net score wins the hole. The reckoning of holes is kept by the terms: so many "holes up" or "all square" and so many "to play". A halved hole is if each side holes out in the same number of strokes. The winner of the match is the side which is leading by a number of holes greater than the number of holes remaining to be played. Stroke Play The competitor who plays the stipulated round or rounds in the fewest strokes is the winner. If a competitor fails to hole out at any hole and does not correct his mistake before he plays o stroke from the next teeing ground or, in the case of the last hole of the round, before he leaves the putting green, he shall be disqualified. Water Ball Most courses that we play have designated drop areas. Some of them will keep the hazard between the player and the hole. However some will allow you to place your ball beyond the hazard. These course rules will apply with a one-stroke penalty. However, if no course rule exists- you are required to keep the hazard between you and the hole. The exception is, if your ball lands beyond the water hazard and happens to roll back into the water. You will be allowed to place your ball beyond the hazard. A one-stroke penalty will apply. Out of Bounds Defined by white stakes or lines. Water Hazards Defined by yellow stakes or lines. Lateral Water Defined by red stakes or lines. Ball Lost or Out of Bounds If a ball is lost outside a water hazard or is out of bounds, the player should play a ball, under a one-stroke penalty, as nearly as possible at the spot from which the original ball was last played. Provisional Ball If a ball may be lost outside a water hazard or may be out of bounds to save time the player may play another ball provisionally as nearly as possible at the spot from which the original ball was played. The player should inform his fellow competitor that he intends to play a provisional ball. Ball Unplayable The player may declare his ball unplayable at any place on the course except when the ball is in a water hazard. The player is the sole judge as to whether his ball is unplayable. If the player deems his ball unplayable, he should under the penalty of one stroke:
Grounding Clubs (hazards) A one stroke penalty will be imposed for grounding your club in any bunker or hazard…i.e. sand traps, bunkers, lateral hazards, water hazards. |
maintained by
East-Fort