Play is governed by the Rules of the United States Golf Association and by the following Local Rules, Conditions and Definitions, subject to change for particular tournaments by the Tournament Rules Committee.  Appendix I refers to the Appendix of Local Rules and Conditions in the USGA Rules of Golf booklet.

Unless otherwise specified, the penalty for breach of a Local Rule or Condition is:

                                    Stroke Play – Two strokes;  Match Play – Loss of Hole
 

LOCAL RULES

OUT OF BOUNDS:  Defined by inside points of white stakes/ white lines and fence posts at ground level.   Rule 27

Note:  Any ball leaving the golf course and coming to rest on another part of the golf course is deemed to be O. B.

WATER AND LATERAL WATER HAZARD STAKES AND LINES:  When a lateral water hazard is defined on only one side, it is deemed to extend to infinity. When water hazards and lateral water hazards are bounded by out of bounds, the hazard margin extends to and coincides with the out of bounds line.  Where hazard margins are defined by both stakes and lines, the lines govern.  Rule 26.

GROUND-UNDER-REPAIR (GUR):  Are defined by white lines.  Fire ant hills and French drains are deemed to be ground under repair.  Rule 25.

SOD SEAMS:  Except in a hazard, sod seams (not the sod itself) are deemed to be Ground Under Repair and relief is available under Rule 25-1if the ball lies in or touches a sod seam or the sod seam interferes with the area of intended swing. All seams within the sodded areas are considered the same seam.

EMBEDDED BALL:  The Local Rule as prescribed in Appendix I, page 107 shall be in effect.

ROADS AND PATHS:  White-lined areas tying into artificially surfaced roads or paths and curbing or railroad ties adjacent to roads or paths are extensions of those Obstructions and are not GUR.

Relief without penalty is provided under rule 24-2b(i).

WOOD CHIPS AND MULCH:  are loose impediments, unless otherwise provided for in Notice to

Competitors/Players.

RETAINING WALLS AND PILINGS:  When located within water hazards or within and/or around bunkers, retaining walls and pilings are integral parts of the course 

PROTECTION OF YOUNG TREES:  Stakes and wires supporting newly planted trees are obstructions and relief may be taken in accordance with Rule 24 and Appendix I, page 107.

MARKING POSITION OF A BALL TO BE LIFTED:  Rule 20-1, page 61.

BALL DROP(S):  A “ball drop” is an area enclosed by a white line having the words “ball drop” printed inside it.  A ball drop is not GUR.  Appendix I, A.6.

PERMANENT ELEVATED POWERED LINES AND CABLES:  If a ball strikes such a line or cable, the stroke must be canceled and MUST be replayed without penalty.  If the ball is not immediately recoverable, another ball may be substituted.

TEMPORARY IMMOVABLE OBSTRUCTIONS (TIO): 

Appendix I, pages 111-114 is in effect and includes any temporary obstruction installed for the competition.

TURF PLUGS ON PUTTING GREEN:  On putting greens, in addition to Rule 16-1c turf plugs of any size may be repaired

DISTANCE-MEASURING DEVICES – For play in all BCGA events/tournaments, a player may obtain distance information by using a device that measures distance only. However, if, during a stipulated round, a player uses a distance-measuring device that is designed to gauge or measure other conditions that might affect his play (e.g., gradient, wind-speed, temperatures, etc.) the player is in breach of Rule 14-3, for which the penalty is disqualification of the side, regardless of whether any such additional functions are actually used.
 

CONDITIONS

SUSPENSION OF PLAY DUE TO DANGEROUS SITUATION: When play is suspended for a dangerous situation, if the players in a match or group are between the play of two holes, they must not resume play until the Committee has ordered a resumption of play.  If they are in the process of playing a hole, they must discontinue play immediately and not resume play until the Committee has ordered a resumption of play.
 

NOTE:  A suspension for a dangerous situation will be signaled by one prolonged siren or horn blast.  All other types of suspension will be signaled by three short intermittent siren or horn blasts.
 

PENALTY FOR BREACH OF THIS CONDITION:  Disqualification

All practice areas shall be closed during suspension for a dangerous situation until the Committee has declared them open for use.

DRIVER HEADS:  Only Driver head models and lofts listed in the USGA’s latest booklet of “Conforming Driver Heads” may be used.  See Appendix I,  page 118

Penalty:   Disqualification

GOLF BALLS:  Only brands of golf balls in the USGA’s latest booklet of “Conforming Golf Balls” may be used.  See Appendix I,  page 118

Penalty:   Disqualification

LIMITATION ON GOLF BALLS USED DURING ROUND:  The “One-Ball Rule” is NOT in effect.

LATE TO TEE:  See Note under Rule 6-3, page 30, and Appendix I., page 119 (A player(s) is deemed to be at their starting point when he has checked in with Starter)

PACE OF PLAY:  Rule 6-7  Undue Delay and any Pace of Play Notice posted for the tournament.

PRACTICE:  See Rule 7, pages 35-36.

Prior to his round in stroke play, a player may practice on the designated practice areas. Rule 7-1b applies to other practice in stroke play, and Rule 7-1a covers practice before the round in match play 

AUTOMOTIVE TRANSPORTATION:  Except when otherwise noted, all players are required to use automotive transportation.

RETURNING SCORE CARD:  Rule 6-6. page 31 (A player is deemed to have returned his scorecard to the Committee when he hands it to the Scoring Official.)

COMPETITION CLOSED:  The competition is deemed to be closed when the trophy has been presented as the winner or, in the absence of a prize ceremony, all scores have been posted on the Official Scoreboard and approved by the Committee.

Berks County Golf Association
35 Ironstone Drive  Reading, PA 19606
Email Rennie Sacco, President at rsacco@bcgagolf.com

Site design and hosting by Reading Eagle Company Internet Services.