Local rules of play shall be administrated and governed by the Rules Chairman supported by the Rules Committee.
RULES COMMITTEE
Joe McDonough, Ron Drotos, Terry Groft, Carson Frost, Craig Hall
USGA “Maximum Score Form of Stroke Play” and the “Local Rules” listed below will be used to govern play.
Players will be allowed to lift, clean and place their golf ball everywhere except sand traps, hazards and penalty areas. 1 grip length (no closer to the hole) while staying in the same condition. This can be achieved by marking, lifting, and placing the ball or by rolling it with a club. Because you will be in a stroke play competition against those in your flight, holes cannot be conceded during your match – the ball must be “putted out” – no “gimmies”, unless the player is going to record the Maximum Score.
Local Rule on Hole #9: If a player drives his ball into either pond, or the ditch, from the tee box he shall proceed to the designated drop area which will be located beyond the ponds and to the left of the cart path. A 1 stroke penalty shall be assessed. The ball must be dropped in the drop area, therefore he will be playing his 3rd shot to the green.
Local Rule on Hole #17: This area has been modified this year to “GUR” Ground Under Repair. This pertains to the ditch, between the two bridges. Balls ending in or within one club length of the ditch on any shot will be allowed to be dropped without penalty. Determine the point where your ball last crossed the margin of the GUR then choose one of the two options below:
1.Determine nearest point of complete relief outside the GUR and drop a ball within one (1) club length of that point no nearer the hole.
2.Back -On-The-Line-Relief. From the point of entry of the GUR visualize a straight line between the flagstick and that point. Go back as far as you choose on that line and drop the ball within one (1) club length.
Environmental Areas: New for 2019. Four seasons added the field located left of, and running parallel to #14 fairway, as an Environmental Sensitive Area. If your ball comes to rest inside one of these areas, you will be allowed a FREE DROP. Remember you are not allowed to enter these areas.
Maximum Score Form of Stroke Play – Under this USGA scoring method, a player’s score for each hole is capped at a maximum set by the LSMGA Rules Committee. Accordingly, the maximum total an LSMGA player may record on a hole is triple bogey. Once the player has reached the maximum score for the hole being played, he must pick up his ball. The main reason for implementing this rule is to address and reduce the slow pace of play.
Here is an example showing how this is applied to the points won on a hole in match play on a par five:
If player A must pick up after reaching triple bogey, he can’t win the hole if player B has a natural score of triple bogey or less. Player B wins two points.
Handicap is voided if you must pick up.
If both players must pick up, they each get 1 point.
Playing from the Forward Tees (formerly known as the Red Tees) – To provide a more playable course and enjoyable experience for some of our members, the league will offer the option of playing from the Forward Tees for all 18 holes, based on criteria established by the Rules Committee. A member may opt to play from the Forward Tees for the entire season if his age, as of the first day of league play, plus handicap total 95. The handicap will be based on the ending handicap from the previous season, which can be found on the league’s website. After determining qualification, the member will declare his intention to play the Forward Tees on the membership registration form when paying his annual dues. The playing status cannot be changed during the season, even if the member’s handicap drops and reduces his total below the qualifying score of 95.
Self-policing Association: Rules are used to keep competition fair for everyone. If a member observes someone breaking a rule, correct them with a friendly reminder. If a member feels a player has entered wrong (lower) strokes, scores or points for personal gain it is the members responsibility to call them on it. All members are reminded to talk to the player, who’s conduct is in question in hopes any concerns can be resolved before bringing any rules infractions to the attention of the Rules Chairman.
The Flagstick – Four Seasons mandates that you not touch the flagstick. The league has determined that a putt hitting the flagstick is considered a hole out. This is for putts taken only on the putting green. Shots excluded from this rule include: putts and chips from the fringe or areas around the green, shots from the fairway/rough and from sand traps. For a shot to be considered a hole-in-one, the ball must rest in the cup.
Sand Traps – If the course has not provided rakes for the sand traps, you may take a preferred lie within the trap no closer to the hole without penalty.
Single Player Points System
A player who has no opponent for the day’s match, will earn points in this manner. The Player’s net score will be applied to the chart below for the awarding of points.
Net score Points
68 and under 22
69 21
70 20
71 19
72 18
73 17
74 16
75 15
76 14
77 13
78 12
79 11
80 and higher 10
Rain Delays and league Cancellations
League Officers are authorized to cancel league play at any time up to one hour after league play is scheduled to tee off. Due to weather conditions, if enough members cancel making it impractical to conduct the match play format, the officers may consider authorizing a stroke-play-only event. Concurrence of a majority of the officers is required for the decision.
LSMGA Videos
In order to better understand the rules of golf as well as local rules specific to the LSMGA league that apply we have created these short entertaining videos and content herein.