Minnesota Section PGA of America
Rules of Play and Information
Minnesota Section PGA of America events are governed by the USGA Rules of Golf, and by the following Local Rules and Conditions of Competition. Any changes to this card 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
Time of Starting—If a player arrives at their starting point, ready to play, within five minutes after their starting time, in the absence of circumstances that warrant waiving the penalty of disqualification as provided in Rule 33-7, the penalty for failure to start on time is loss of the first hole to be played in match play or two strokes in stroke play. Penalty for lateness beyond five minutes is disqualification. Note to Rule 6-3a.
Official Time/Time of Starting—The clock at the tee where the player begins their stipulated round is the official time of starting. Decision 6-3a/2.5.
List of Conforming Driver Heads—Any driver the player carries must have a clubhead, identified by model and loft, that is named on the current List of Conforming Driver Heads issued by the USGA.
List of Conforming Golf Balls—The ball the player plays must be named on the current List of Conforming Golf Balls issued by the USGA.
Limitation on Golf Balls (“One-Ball Rule”)—During a stipulated round, the balls a player plays must be of the same brand and model as detailed by a single entry on the current List of Conforming Golf Balls, unless otherwise noted.
Pace of Play—See separate memorandum to players for pace of play guidelines, when applicable.
Out of Bounds—Defined by inside points, at ground level, of stakes, flags, fence posts, masonry walls at ground level. When OB is defined by a white line on the ground, the line itself is out of bounds. Rule 27-1.
Water and Lateral Water Hazard Stakes and Lines—Rule 26-1.
Water Hazards are defined by yellow stakes and/or lines.
Lateral Water Hazards are defined by red stakes and/or lines.
· When stakes and lines are used to define water and lateral water hazards, stakes identify hazards and lines define margins.
· When a lateral water hazard is defined on only one side, it is deemed to extend to infinity.
· When water hazards and lateral water hazards are bounded by out of bounds, the hazard margin extends to and coincides with the out of bounds line.
Ground Under Repair—Defined by white lines. French drains are deemed to be ground under repair. Flower beds on the course are also deemed to be ground under repair. Rule 25-1.
Roads, Paths—Asphalt and artificially surfaced roads and paths are obstructions. White lined areas tying into roads or paths have the same status as the roads or paths, and thus they are obstructions and not ground under repair.
Retaining Walls and Pilings—When located within water hazards or within and/or around bunkers, retaining walls and pilings are integral parts of the course. When railroad ties, curbing or the like adjoin cart paths, they are deemed to be part of the same obstruction.
Tree Wrappings, Electrical Wires and Cables—Closely attached to trees: No relief. Tree wrappings, electrical wires, cables, signs and lightning rods closely attached to trees are not obstructions. They are integral parts of the course.
Seams of Cut Turf—Through the green, seams of cut turf (not the turf itself) are deemed to be ground under repair. However, interference by a seam with the player’s stance is deemed not to be, of itself, interference under Rule 25-1. If the ball lies in or touches the seam or the seam interferes with the area of intended swing, relief is available under Rule 25-1. All seams within the cut turf area are considered the same seam.
Wood Chips and Mulch—Are loose impediments, unless otherwise provided for in the Local Rules.
Embedded Ball Through the Green—Local Rule as prescribed in Appendix I is in effect.
Distance Measuring Devices—A player may obtain distance information by using a device that measures distance only. If, during a stipulated round, a player uses a device that is designed to gauge or measure other conditions that might affect the player’s play (e.g. gradient, wind-speed, temperature, etc.) the player is in breach of Rule 14-3, for which the penalty is disqualification, regardless of whether the additional functions are actually used.
Note: Such devices will not be allowed in the following Minnesota Section PGA events: Minnesota PGA Section Professional Championship, Minnesota PGA Senior Section Championship, Minnesota PGA Assistant’s Championship, MN PGA-MGA Cup Matches, and Playing Ability Tests.
Overhead Power Lines—If a ball strikes an overhead power line or cable, while in bounds, the player must disregard that stroke, abandon the ball and play another ball as nearly as possible at the spot from which the original ball was played in accordance with Rule 20-5.
Stones in Bunkers—Stones in bunkers are movable obstructions. Rule 24-1.
Practice—Prior to a round in stroke play, a player may practice on the designated practice areas. Rule 7-1b applies to other practice in stroke play, and Rule 7-1b covers practice before the round in match play.
Discontinuance of Play—When play is suspended by the Committee for a dangerous situation, if the players in a match or group are between the play of two holes, they must not resume play until the Committee has ordered a resumption of play. If they are in the process of playing a hole, they must discontinue play immediately and not resume play until the Committee has ordered a resumption of play. If a player fails to discontinue play immediately, they are disqualified, unless circumstances warrant waiving the penalty as provided in Rule 33-7.
Note: A suspension for a dangerous situation will be signaled by one prolonged siren or horn blast. All other types of suspension will be signaled by three consecutive siren or horn blasts, repeated. Resumption of play will be signaled by two short siren or horn blasts, repeated.
Returning Scorecard—For the purpose of applying Rule 6-6c, a competitor is considered to have returned their scorecard when they have first left the scoring area.
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 all scores have been approved by the Committee. |
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