BDI 2024 Revision of Rules Exceptions to the USGA
The objective of this writing is to establish rules that are reasonable for our group with the objective of establishing a friendly but fair way to govern play and hopefully avoid conflict. We recognize that our players are of varying skill and familiarity with the detail Rules of Golf. In addition, some of our players often play in leagues where the Rules of Golf are taken very seriously and others play with little or no worry about those technicalities. When we are together it can be difficult for Rules to serve both of these groups not to mention that the latter group may not even know the Real USGA Rules. Also, we have to take into consideration that the course conditions and setup may vary day to day or even hole to hole. Any rules variation is meant to keep things moving, create fair competition and avoid conflict. Rules variation are not meant to be the only rules. Where we haven't created a specific Rule Book override, USGA rules will be applied. It is ultimately up to the players and their competitors to work these things our based on friendly but fair competition. For example, if you are not sure ask your opponents. Don't stop the game while you call BD as he has his own problems.
Some of these rules recognize that the course will not be tournament ready so hazard lines may not be marked; ground under repair or unplayable areas might not be marked; sand traps might have unplayable areas, etc.. All of this can change daily particularly if weather is involved. We hope these rules will be more helpful than hurtful.
Tee Areas
The Tee area is within two club lengths behind a line drawn between the markers.
It is not a penalty to accidentally knock your ball off of the tee.
Every day you will have the option of a Mulligan on your first hole only. If you hit a second ball, you play the second ball.
We will allow a second tee shot on every hole but you will be hitting three and it will never be a provisional. If you hit a second ball, you play the second ball. Once you leave the tee area, you cannot go back.
After teeing off we do not allow provisionals nor stroke and distance penalties.
Forced Carry from the Tee
We have eliminated the option of dropping on the green side of the hazard.
We will follow the regular rues of golf. Drop within 2 club lengths of the point of entry or walk back away from the green.
Par 3 Tee Shots will likely have a drop area. If none exists, drop within 2 club lengths of any portion of cart path.
Fairway (your own)
You may improve your lie using the club, one club length, no closer to the hole or you may lift, clean and place, one club length, no closer to the hole.
The fairway is interpreted as the closely mowed area that continues as the shortest fringe around the green. You may lift, clean and place. No putting ball as you are not on the green. No ball aiming!
We will not assess a penalty for accidentally moving you ball; however, each player should be careful to avoid any misunderstanding. Golf is a game of honor so please self-police.
Rough
The rough is the area off the fairway that is regularly mowed. Beyond the rough is played as a hazard.
You may lift, clean and drop in the rough, one club length, no closer to the hole.
You may move the ball off of anything that could present a danger to your club or person.Typically Rocks,and Roots.
You may not use the Rocks and Roots Rule to improve either your line to the green or to remove a backswing obstruction. You would then take a drop and suffer a penalty stroke.
We will not assess a penalty for accidentally moving your ball; however, each player should be careful to avoid any misunderstanding. Be careful, we allow a free drop, we do not allow fluffing with your club or placing.
Around the green, not including the first cut of fringe (fairway), is rough and the rules above apply. So lift, clean and drop.
Waste Areas (Sand Traps without Rakes)
You may ground your club and we will treat these with the same rules as the rough; however, a free drop must remain in the waste area.
You are not required to hit from an area that packed down by cart traffic.
You may drop outside of the Waste Area with a one stroke penalty.
Hazards (not waste Areas or Sand Traps)
For our purposes, any ball beyond the rough will be declared in a hazard. This includes water, OB, forest, unplayable, lost ball,etc..
You have the option to hit the ball; however, there is no option for a free drop. You may not hit from OB and you get no relief from an OB boundary fence. Interior fences would allow free relief.
For your next shot, you will have the following options:
Drop within 2 club length
Laterally in the fairway, no closer than where you entered the Hazard. Two Stroke Penalty.
Walking away from the hole, keeping the spot where the ball last entered the penalty area between your drop and the green. One Stroke.
Walking back on your line of flight. One Stroke.
For balls hitting over a hazard and for speed of play reasons, we do not want anyone to have to go back after discovering that their ball did not clear the hazard. For this reason, if you hit a ball over a hazard, hit another ball after taking a one stroke penalty. If the ball is found in or beyond the hazard, you may then play that ball or play from the hazard.If not, play the ball for which you have taken a penalty. In the case where you believe you have carried the hazard and the ball came back into the hazard on the other side, you would need agreement from your opponents that that is the case. If so, you can drop where you believe it last entered the hazard. Otherwise, if you don't find the ball or find it in the hazard, it will be assumed that it didn't carry the hazard. Now if you believe you carried the hazard and you don't find your ball over the hazard, it will be assumed you didn't carry the hazard and didn't play another ball, you will not go back to take a drop with a penalty stroke, you will drop across the hazard and tale a drop with a two stroke penalty. Again, this ruling is for speed of play purposes. You may also choose to go to the other side and drop with a two stroke penalty.
Sand Traps (will have Rakes)
We will allow a free PLACE but you must stay in the trap, no closer. We are doing this because traps may in some cases be poorly maintained or be in bad shape do to weather. Also, to eliminate plugged lies. The area for the place will be within one club length of a line drawn from the ball way from the hole. You may also rake and place. You may go farther from that drop zone only to find the nearest playable area.
We will allow a place anywhere within one club length outside the trap with a one stroke penalty. The area for the drop or place will be within one club length of a line drawn from the ball way from the hole as far back as you desire.
If the entire trap is unplayable, you may DROP as described above but without a penalty stroke. Unplayable can only be described as there being no way that the ball and stance can be in an area without standing water.
Greens
You are allowed to use a different ball for putting but not from the fringe.
Give Me's need to be limited to one foot. No begging! It is important for the integrity of handicapping.
Obviously team members cannot give each other putts. That applies to a four man team for the "Least Putts" game.
We will not assess a penalty for accidentally moving you ball.
Drops - From knee to should height.