2016 New RULES
WITHDRAWAL OF RULES ON BALL MOVING AFTER ADDRESS.
Rule 18-2B Has been withdrawn. This means that if a ball at rest moves after the player addresses it, the player is no longer automatically deemed to have caused the ball to move. A one stroke penalty under rule 18-2 will be applied only when the facts show that the player has caused the ball to move. An example would be: If you have addressed the ball and your club head suddenly movies the ball several inches and it wasn't moved in making a stroke. One stroke penalty and ball must be replaced. However, it must be a fact not just an assumption.
MODIFICATION OF PENALTY FOR SINGLE IMPERMISSIBLE USE OF ARTIFICIAL DEVICES OR EQUIPMENT.
The penalty for a player's first breach of Rule 14-1b (Artificial use of equipment) during the round has been reduced from disqualification to loss of hole in match play or two strokes in stroke play. The penalty for any subsequent breach of Rule 14-3 will continue to be disqualification.
PROHIBITION ON ANCHORING THE CLUB WHILE MAKING A STROKE.
The new rule 14-1b prohibits anchoring the club either "Directly" or by use of an 'Anchor Point' in making a stroke. The penalty is loss of hole in match play or two strokes in stroke play.
Match Play Rules: 2-4-- Concession of a stroke, hole, or match may not be declined or withdrawn.
2-5 --If a doubt or dispute arises between the players, a player may make a claim. If no Committee person is available within a reasonable time, the match must continue. The claim must be made BEFORE any player plays from the next teeing ground or, in the case of the last hole, before all players have left the putting green.
2-5/2 --For a claim to be valid, the claim must be made in a timely manner and the claimant must notify her opponent(s) 1. that she is making a claim or wants a ruling 2. of the facts on which the claim or ruling is to be based.
4-4 --The player must not start a stipulated round with more that 14 clubs. Penalty----At the conclusion of the hole at which the breach is discovered, the state of the match is adjusted by one hole for each hole the breach occurred; maximum per round: 2 holes. If the breach is discovered between play of two holes, it is deemed to have been discovered during play of the hole just completed.
5-3—Ball unfit for play---If a player believes her ball to be unfit for play she may, without penalty lift the ball to determine whether it is unfit. HOWEVER, before lifting the player MUST 1.) announce her intention, 2) mark the position, and 3.) give her opponent the opportunity to examine the ball. Failure to follow this procedure is a 1 STROKE PENALTY. Ball may not be cleaned.
7-2 –Practice during the round--- Between play of 2 holes a player may practice putting or chipping on or near the green of the last hole played, any practice putting green, or the teeing ground of the next hole being played. Player may NOT make a practice stroke in a hazard or unduly delay play. Penalty - Loss of Hole.
8-2a—Advice---Line of Play—Other than the putting green— No one may be positioned by the player on or close to the line or an extension of the line beyond the hole while the stroke is being made.
2b—On the putting green, a player, partner or caddie may indicate the line of play before a stroke, but may not touch the line. Penalty—loss of hole for the player whose line of putt was touched.
9—Information—A player who has incurred a penalty shall inform her opponent as soon as practicable. If during play, a player gives wrong information as to the number of strokes taken, there is no penalty if she corrects the mistake before the opponent plays the next stroke. Penalty—Loss of Hole.
10-1-- Order of Play—Match play—Playing out of turn—If a player plays when her opponent should have played, there is no penalty, but the opponent may immediately require the player to cancel the stroke and, in correct order play a ball as nearly as possible at the spot (drop a ball) from which the original ball was last played.
11-4—Teeing Ground—If a player plays a ball from outside the teeing ground, the opponent MAY require the player to cancel and replay the stroke without penalty.
12-1 --Searching for and Identifying Ball—A player is not necessarily entitled to see her ball when playing a stroke. If the ball is moved, Rule 18-2a applies except as provided in clauses a-d.
a. In Searching for or Identifying Ball covered by sand: If a player’s ball lying anywhere on the course is believed to be covered by sand he may without penalty, touch or move the sand in order to find and identify the ball. He player must re-create the lie as nearly as possible. If the ball is moved during this process, there is no penalty; the ball must be replaced and the lie re-created. The player is permitted to leave a small part of the ball visible.
b. In a hazard, loose impediments or sand may be moved enough to see part of the ball. If a ball is moved during search it shall be replaced and Rule 18-2a applies; if ball is moved during replacement of loose impediments, there is no penalty. the player is permitted to leave a small part of the ball visible.
c. Searching in Water hazard: the player may, without penalty probe for the ball with a club. If the ball is accidentally moved while probing, there is no penalty; the ball must be replaced. d. Searching within Obstruction or Abnormal ground condition: If a ball lying in or on an obstruction or in an abnormal ground condition is accidentally moved during search, there is no penalty; the ball must be replaced.
12-2--Identifying Ball—The responsibility for playing the proper ball rests with the player. EACH PLAYER SHOULD PUT AN IDENTIFICATION MARK ON HER BALL. If a player has reason to believe a ball at rest is hers and it is necessary to lift the ball in order to identify it, she may lift the ball, without penalty, in order to do so. HOWEVER, the following procedure must be followed:
1. the player MUST announce her intentions to her opponent;
2. mark the position of the ball; 3. give her opponent an opportunity to observe the lifting and replacing of the ball. The ball must not be cleaned beyond the extent necessary for identification. Failure to comply with all or any part of this procedure, the player incurs a one stroke penalty.
13 –PLAY THE BALL AS IT LIES
13-2 Improving lie, area of intended stance or swing, or line of play.
13-2/0.5 Meaning of “Improve”: “Improve” means to change for the better so that the player gains a potential advantage with respect to the position or lie of his ball, the area of intended stance or swing, his line of play or a reasonable extension of that line beyond the hole, or the area in which he is to drop or place a ball. Exception 2. At any time, the player may smooth sand or soil in a hazard provided this is for the sole purpose of caring for the course and nothing is done to breach Rule 13-2
14- STRIKING THE BALL: 14-2b A player must not make a stroke with his caddie, his partner or his partner’s caddie positioned on or close to an extension of the line of play or putt behind the ball. Penalty-Loss of hole.
15—1--Wrong Ball; Substituted Ball—A player must hole out with the ball played from the teeing ground unless the ball is lost or out of bounds or the player has substituted another ball.
--2 If a player substitutes a ball when not permitted, that ball is not a wrong ball; it becomes the ball in play. If not corrected, player loses the hole.
--3a. Match play—If a player makes a stroke at a wrong ball, she loses the hole. If a player and opponent exchange balls during play of hole, the first to play the wrong ball loses the hole.
16-1b Putting Green: When a ball is in motion, a ball that might influence the movement of the ball in motion must not be lifted. Penalty-Loss of hole.
16—2—Putting Green—Ball overhanging hole—When any part of the ball overhangs the lip, player is allowed enough time to reach the hole without unreasonable delay, plus 10 seconds. If the ball falls in after that time player must add 1 penalty stroke.
17-3—Ball striking Flagstick or attendant—Ball shall not strike: a) Flagstick when attended, removed, or held up by player, partner or caddie. b) player’s caddie, partner, or partner’s caddie when attending flagstick. c) flagstick in hole, unattended when ball played from putting green. Penalty- Loss of Hole
* 17-3/2 Opponent attending flagstick fails to remove it.
18-2—When ball is in play, if: a) player, partner or either caddies lifts, moves it, touches it purposely, causes it to move: or b) the equipment of player or partner cause ball to move---1 stroke penalty. Ball shall be replaced.
18-2b Ball moving after address. Exception: If it is know or virtually certain that the player did not cause his ball to move, Rule 18-2b does not apply.
--3—During search ball is moved by opponent, caddies or equipment—no penalty. Ball shall be replaced.
19---Ball in motion deflected or stopped—By—1.) outside agency—No penalty; 2.) player, partner or their equipment— one stroke penalty; 3.) opponent or her equipment—No penalty.
19-5b –If a player’s ball in motion after stroke on the putting green is deflected by another ball in motion after a stroke, the player’s stroke is canceled; the ball must be replaced and replayed without penalty.
20—Lifting, Dropping and Placing—A ball to be lifted under the Rules may be lifted by the player, her partner or another authorized person. The position of the ball MUST be marked before it is lifted under a Rule that requires it to be replaced. Penalty—1 stroke.
--6 “Eraser Rule” - A ball incorrectly substituted, dropped or placed in a wrong place or not in accordance with the Rules, but not played may be lifted without penalty and player must proceed correctly.
--7--Playing from Wrong Place—If a player plays a stroke with a ball which has been dropped or placed in a wrong place—Penalty --Loss of Hole. (Example: Failure to replace marker after moving it on putting green).
22—Ball Interfering with or Assisting Play- - Except when ball is in motion—Any player may: a) Lift her ball if she considers it might assist any other player or b) have any ball lifted if she thinks the ball might interfere with her play or assist another player. Penalty- Loss of Hole.
24—Obstructions—When a ball is in motion, an obstruction that might influence the movement of the ball, other than equipment of any player or the flagstick when attended, removed or held up must not be moved. When taking relief from an obstruction, complete relief must be taken. (Example: Feet may not be on cart path after taking relief from path)
25-1c—Abnormal Ground Conditions---It is a question of fact whether a ball that has not been found after having been struck toward an abnormal ground condition is in such condition. In order to apply this Rule, it must be known or virtually certain that the ball is in such condition. Otherwise player must proceed under Rule 27-1.
26-- Water Hazards and Lateral Water Hazards: 26-1/1 --There must be “knowledge or virtual certainty” that a ball that cannot be found lies in a water hazard or it must be considered lost somewhere other than in the water hazard.
27---Out of Bounds—When stakes define out of bounds, the line is determined by the nearest inside points at ground level of the stakes. When out of bounds is determined by lines on the ground, the line is out of bounds. A ball is out of bounds when all of it lies out of bounds.
30-3 - Four Ball Match Play—a.) An absent partner may join a match between holes, but not during play of a hole. b.) Order of play—Balls belonging to the same side may be played in the order the side considers best. c.) Wrong ball—If a player plays a stroke with a wrong ball she shall be disqualified for that hole, but her partner incurs no penalty. d.) a side shall be penalized for breach of Rule 4-4, maximum of 14 clubs. e.) A side is disqualified if any partner incurs a penalty of disqualification under any of the following: Rule 1-3 Agreement to waive Rules; Rule 4 –Clubs; Rule 5-1 or 5-2 the ball; Rule 6-7 undue delay—slow play; Rule 14-3 Artificial Devices etc.
34-3 - Any Rules question must be referred to the Committee, whose decision is final.
Updated March 2016