PWGA LOCAL RULES
THE RULES OF THE UNITED STATES GOLF ASSOCIATION GOVERN PLAY, Unless otherwise specified, PWGA tournament play is governed by the 2016 USGA Rules of Golf. Unless otherwise noted, the penalty for the breach of a rule or condition is two strokes in Stroke Play.
Score Cards: Any Local Rules listed on the score card or posted at the host club have no status in PWGA tournaments.
Rule 3-3. Doubt as to Procedure: In stroke play only, if a competitor is doubtful of her rights or the correct procedure during the play of a hole, she may, without penalty, complete the hole with two balls. To proceed under this Rule, she must decide to play two balls after the doubtful situation has arisen and before taking further action( e. g., making a stroke at the original ball). The competitor should announce to her marker or a fellow-competitor that she intends to play two balls and which ball she wishes to count if the Rules permit the procedure used for that ball. Before returning her score card, the competitor must report the facts of the situation to the Committee. If she fails to do so, she is disqualified. If the competitor has taken further action before deciding to play two balls, she has not proceeded under Rule 3-3 and the score with the original ball counts. The competitor incurs no penalty for playing the second ball.
Out of Bounds( OB): Defined by inside points, at ground level, of white stakes or fence post. When white lines are used, the line itself is OB. A ball is out of bounds when all of it lies out of bounds. Rule 27-1.
Ground under Repair( GUR): Defined by white lines and / or stakes. French drains, deep tire ruts, all depressions filled with rocks, all drains surrounded by rocks and material piled for removal are deemed to be GUR. Rule 25-1.
Water Hazards / Lateral Water Hazards: Water Hazards are defined by yellow stakes and / or lines. Lateral Water Hazards are defined by red stakes and / or lines. Stakes and lines are in the hazards. Where both stakes and lines are present, lines define the hazard. Rule 26.
Immovable Obstructions Close to Putting Green( e. g., Sprinkler Heads): If a ball lies through the green and an immovable obstruction on or within two club-lengths of the putting green and within two club-lengths of the ball intervenes on the line of play between the ball and the hole, the player may take relief as follows: 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.
Stones in Bunkers: Stones in bunkers are movable obstructions.( Rule 24-1 applies). Dirt Maintenance Roads are an integral part of the course. No free relief.
Protection of Young Trees Identified by Stakes, Wires or Ropes: If such a tree interferes with a player’ s stance or area of her intended swing, the ball must be lifted, without penalty, and dropped in accordance with the procedure prescribed in Rule 24-2b( Immovable Obstruction).
Bridges Over Water Hazards: A bridge is an obstruction. If a ball lies on a bridge in a hazard, a player may not take relief without penalty. In a hazard, the club may touch an obstruction at address or in the backward movement for the stroke. Touching the bridge prior to address is also permissible, since an obstruction in a water hazard is not“ ground in the hazard.”
Permanent Elevated Power Lines and Cables: If a ball strikes a permanent elevated power line or cable the stroke is cancelled and the player must play a ball as nearly as possible at the spot from which the original ball was played in accordance with Rule 20-5.
2017 PWGA Member Handbook 36 www. GOLFPWGA. org