Woodside Nine Hole Ladies Golf Association (WNHLGA) Rules of Play
Play is governed by the USGA Rules of Golf and where applicable, by the following Local Rules. Pay particular attention to items in red which are either NEW or NINERS-ONLY accommodations.
1. OUT OF BOUNDS: Defined by 4x4 white posts and/or white lines. When white stakes are used, the out of bounds line is determined by the nearest inside edge of the stake at ground level. When a white line on the ground is used, the line itself is out of bounds. The inside edge of a road or curb is out of bounds. A ball that crosses the inside edge of a road or curb that comes to rest beyond the road or curb is out of bounds, even though it may be on another part of the course. 1a. During NINERS- ONLY Thursday/Saturday play and events (NOT in other Woodside golf events, including Interclub, LGA/NINERS Scramble, or Exchanges) a ball crossing an out of bounds marker is to be brought into play by dropping it within 2 club lengths from the point where the ball crossed the marker, no closer to the hole. One stroke is added to the score.
2. WATER AND LATERAL WATER HAZARDS STAKES AND LINES: When both stakes and lines are used to define water and lateral water hazards, stakes identify hazards and lines define margins. Water hazards are defined by yellow stakes and/or lines – Rules 26-1. Lateral water hazards are defined by red stakes and/or lines – Rules 26-1.
3. EMBEDDED BALL: (Rule 25-2 Appendix I ) “Through the green,” a ball which is embedded in its own pitch-mark in the ground, other than sand, may be lifted without penalty, cleaned and dropped as near as possible to where it lay, but not nearer the hole. “Through the green” does NOT include hazards and sand traps, but does include waste bunkers.
4. GROUND UNDER REPAIR: Defined by white lines. Fire ant hills are ground under repair. French drains are ground under repair. White-lined areas tying into cart paths are part of those obstructions. Sod Seams (not the sod itself) are deemed to be ground under repair, and relief is available under Rule 25-1 if the ball lies in or touches a sod seam or the sod seam interferes with the area of intended swing. All seams and edges within the sodded area are considered the same seam or edge. A player is entitled to relief when the ball lies in or touches the condition or when the condition interferes with the player’s stance or area of the intended swing.
5. OBSTRUCTIONS: (Rule 24-1) Stones in bunkers have been deemed movable obstructions. Blue bird houses located throughout the golf course are to be played as immoveable obstructions.
6. INTEGRAL PARTS OF THE COURSE include wrappings, wires, rods and cables when closely attached to trees; artificial walls and pilings when located in hazards, unless otherwise noted.
7. TURF PLUGS ON PUTTING GREENS of any size may be repaired as prescribed in Rule 16-1c.
8. WASTE BUNKER: Waste bunkers are considered “through the green.” As a result, a player may ground her club without penalty. (Jones #3 and #14)
9. RANGE FINDERS: The use of laser or GPS range finders is approved during any club tournament or event, provided the device measures only distance and does not measure wind speed or slope. However, if, during a stipulated round, a player uses a function to measure other conditions that might affect his play (e.g. gradient, wind-speed, temperature, etc.); the player is in breach of Rule 14-3.
10. DECORATIVE GARDENS AND BUSHES: These are considered to be “through the green”, and no “free” relief is available (including magnolia trees previously used to designate 150 yards).
11. DOUBT AS TO PROCEDURE 3-3: When, during play of a hole a competitor is doubtful of her rights or procedure, she may, without penalty, complete the hole with two balls. After the doubtful situation has arisen and before taking further action, the competitor (1) should announce to her marker or a fellow-competitor that she intends to play two balls and (2) which ball he wishes to count if the Rules permit. The player MUST report the facts of the situation to the Rules Committee before returning her score card. If she fails to do so, she is disqualified. Play a second ball, play both balls out for a score on the Hole in question and ask for a ruling from the Woodside Country Club Pro Shop Personnel before you sign your scorecard.
12. SLOW PLAY/UNDUE DELAY: The Committee has determined an acceptable pace of play to be no more than 4 hours and 15 minutes to complete 18 holes and be “out of position” by no more than one hole. Groups falling “out of position” will be expected to regain the proper position on the course within two holes. Players identified for “slow play” will be given a verbal warning. Each player of the group is responsible for an acceptable pace of play and each player of the group will be subject to warnings. 13a. Acceptable solution for Niners to regain proper position is to record a Net Par (par + handicap strokes) and move on. No more than two (2) Net Par scores are allowed per 9 hole round. Place an “X” beside each artificial score.
13. PRACTICE: Note B to Rule 7-2 is in effect. During a round, practice, including rolling a golf ball, is prohibited on or near the putting green of the last hole played.
14. CELL PHONES: The use of cell phones is prohibited unless used for posting hole-by-hole scores in the GHIN, as a range finder for distance only, or in the event of an emergency.
15. TIES: Ties will be decided as prescribed in the By-Laws Rules Section.
16. GENERAL PENALTY: Unless otherwise stated, the penalty for a breach of a local rule is two (2) strokes in stroke play and loss of hole in match play.
17. LIFT, CLEAN AND PLACE: If you choose, you may mark your ball, then lift, clean and place it not more than six (6) inches from your mark in your own fairway, no closer to the hole, throughout the year.
18. CLARIFICATION OF PLAYING #11 OF THE CUPP: The ledge is considered fairway. After the creek, to the green is considered fairway where cut as such. Down the hill and the area before the creek are considered rough.
19. BUNKER LINERS are treated as obstructions. The liner is treated as a movable obstruction if it is able to be moved without unreasonable effort, without unduly delaying play and without causing damage. Otherwise, it is treated as an immovable obstruction. If a player's ball comes to rest on the exposed fabric in a sand trap, or where the exposed fabric will interfere with the intended swing, she may take a drop in the sand trap without penalty, no closer to the hole.
20. LIMITATION ON GOLF BALLS USED DURING ROUND: the “One Ball Rule” will not be in effect.
21. AERATION HOLES: Through the green, a ball that comes to rest in or on an aeration hole may be lifted without penalty, cleaned and dropped (placed, if in fairway) as near as possible to the spot where it lay, but no 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 no nearer the hole that avoids the situation.
22. ACCIDENTAL MOVEMENT OF A BALL ON A PUTTING GREEN: Rules 18-2, 18-3 and 20-1 are modified as follows: When a player’s ball lies on the putting green, there is no penalty if the ball or ball-marker is accidentally moved by the player, his partner, his opponent, or any of their caddies or equipment. The moved ball or ball-marker must be replaced as provided in Rules 18-2, 18-3 and 20-1.
23. SCORECARDS: Scorecards must be signed, attested and returned to the scoring area IMMEDIATELY following the conclusion of a player’s round. To avoid possible penalty, players should remain in the designated scoring area until the official in charge has accepted their card. 24a. Niners are to date, sign and attest one (1) scorecard. One person takes a picture of the scorecard and emails it to the Awards Committee. Each player is responsible for hole-by-hole entry of their own scores into the GHIN.
24. CLOSE OF COMPETITION: The competition shall be deemed to have closed when awards have been presented to the winners or, in the absence of an awards ceremony, when all scores have been posted on the official scoreboard and approved by the Rules Committee.
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