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2012 Pinecrest Golf Course Men's League - Rules of Play

Rules of Play
USGA Rules govern all play except as modified by Local Rules.

New Rules for 2012
Addressing the Ball
Old definition: The ball was considered to be addressed when the player took his stance and grounded his club. In a hazard, it was addressed when the player took his stance.
New definition: The ball is addressed when the player grounds his club immediately in front of or behind the ball.
Rule 18-2b. Ball Moving After Address
Old rule: Once you addressed the ball, if it subsequently moved you were deemed responsible (regardless of whether it was your fault) and penalized one stroke.
New rule: If the ball moves after you address it, and it is known or virtually certain that you did not cause the ball to move, there is no penalty and you must play the ball from its new position.
Rule 12-1. Seeing Ball; Searching for Ball
Old rule: If your ball was in a hazard covered by loose impediments, and you happened to move the ball during your search, there was no penalty.
New rule: You will now incur a one-stroke penalty under Rule 18-2a (Ball at Rest Moved by Player) if you happen to move your ball in a hazard when you’re searching for it under loose impediments.
Rule 13-4. Ball in Hazard; Prohibited Actions
Old rule: You were not permitted to rake the sand in a bunker prior to hitting your ball.
New rule: You are permitted to rake the sand in a bunker prior to hitting your ball, provided the sole purpose of the raking or smoothing is to care for the course and you do not improve your lie or the area of your stance or swing.

Golf Etiquette
Players should always show consideration for other players and to abide by the Rules. All should demonstrate courtesy and sportsmanship at all times.
Avoid slow play. Pace of Play is the responsibility of each group. Keep pace with the group ahead of you.
To maintain a good pace of play, slower groups should allow faster groups to play through.
Players should be ready to play as soon as it is their turn to play. ‘Ready Golf’ is recommended.
Play a provisional ball whenever you believe your ball may be lost outside a water hazard or is out of bounds.
Follow cart rule of the day. Stay away from wet, bare, and damaged areas on the golf course. Park carts not closer than 30 feet from the green.
Replace divots and repair ball marks on the putting green.
Rake bunkers after use and leave the rake in the bunker.
No trespassing on private properties.
Golfers are responsible for injury to a person, damage to homes, vehicles, and facilities of the golf course that they may cause.
In the case of a serious breach of Etiquette, the Committee may disqualify a player under Rule 33-7.

Definition of the Course
Out-of-bounds:
white stakes or lines
split-rail fence posts on hole numbers 7, 8, and 9
nearest edge of walking path on hole number 5
nearest edge of cart path on hole number 1 (if you’re playing hole 8)
Water hazards – defined by yellow stakes or lines.
Lateral water hazards – defined by red stakes or lines.

Local Rules
Maximum Score: For speed of play, double par is the maximum allowable score on any hole.
Measuring Device: A device that measures only distance may be used.
Immovable Obstructions Close to the Putting Green: Free relief from intervention by immovable obstructions (sprinkler heads) on or within two club-lengths of the putting green when the ball lies within two club-lengths of the obstruction. The ball must be lifted and dropped at the nearest point to where the ball lay that (a) is not nearer the hole, (b) avoids intervention and (c) is not in a hazard or on a putting green. The ball may be cleaned when lifted.
Ball Embedded Through The Green: A ball that is embedded in its own pitch mark through the green, may be lifted, cleaned and dropped, without penalty, as near as possible to where it lay not nearer the hole. The ball when dropped must first strike a part of the course through the green.
Overhead Power Lines: If a ball strikes the power lines on holes 4 or 5, the stroke must be canceled and replayed without penalty.
Flower Beds: For the protection of the golf course, play is prohibited from all of the flower beds. Drop your ball within one club length of the nearest point of relief, not nearer the hole. [Rule 25-1 (b), (i)]
Safety Issue: When playing hole number 8, it is recommended not to cut the corner of the dog-leg for safety reasons. The nearest edge of the cart path on hole number 1 defines the out of bounds on the right side of hole 8.
Water Hazard on 8th Hole: For a ball entering the pond (water hazard - yellow stakes) on the 8th hole, as an additional option under a penalty of one stroke, players may drop a ball within two club lengths of the 150 yard marker.
Preferred Lie: Preferred Lies also known as ‘Winter Rules’ are put into place only during adverse weather conditions. In fairways only, golfers are allowed to lift, clean and place their ball without penalty, within 6 inches from the spot where it originally lay, not nearer the hole. This rule can only be declared by the chairman of the committee prior to the first scheduled tee time on the day of the event.
Aeration Holes: A ball that comes to rest in or on an aeration hole through the green may be lifted, cleaned and dropped without penalty, as near as possible to the spot where it lay but not nearer the hole.
On the putting green, a ball that comes to rest in or on an aeration hole may be placed at the nearest spot, not nearer the hole.
Stones in Bunkers: Stones in bunkers are deemed to be movable obstructions and may be removed. If the ball moves, it must be replaced, and there is no penalty, provided movement of the ball is directly attributable to the removal of a stone.
Protection of Young Trees: Young trees are identified with stakes around it. If such a tree interferes with the player’s stance or the area of his intended swing, the ball must be lifted and dropped without penalty within one club length of the nearest point of relief, not nearer the hole.

Note: In stroke play, if you’re doubtful about your rights or about the correct procedure during play of a hole, you may play a second ball without penalty. Before taking any other action, you must declare your decision to use Rule 3-3 and the ball you prefer to score with, rules permitting. You may play either ball first. The Committee will review and decide disputed Rules issues. The decision of the Rules Committee is final.

 

Rules Committee:
Hernan Torres
David Houpe

unds .

    4. Through the green is the whole area of the course except:

•  the teeing ground and putting green of the hole being played; and

•  all hazards on the course.

    5. Flower bed – a plot of ground in which plants and/or flowers are growing.

Note : In stroke play, if you're doubtful about your rights or about the correct procedure during play of a hole, you may play a second ball without penalty. Before taking any other action, you must declare your decision to use Rule 3-3 and the ball you prefer to score with, rules permitting. You may play either ball first. The Committee will review and decide disputed Rules issues. The decision of the Rules Committee is final.

Rules Committee:

Hernan Torres

David Houpe