Tournament Rules

MAVGA Golf Rules || Common Rules Explanation || Golf Etiquettes

MAVGA Golf Rules for Tournaments and Weekend Outings

1. MAVGA follows USGA golf rules.  Members and guests can always apply USGA rules to keep scores
2. Local (club) rules supersedes USGA rules.
3. For practicality and accommodation to higher handicap players, MAVGA applies the following exceptions:
   •  If 2 balls off the tee is not in play, a 3rd ball can be teed off at the most forward tee (usually the red tee)
   • Maximum on any hole is par-par + 2
   • Maximum strokes (par-par+2) is counted on failure to legitimately complete a hole
4. Winter or wet condition rule (to be announced at the beginning of an event):
   • Lift clean and place ball in the fairway.
   • Move (place) ball in the bunker, except when plugged.
   • Free relief from plugged ball in rough.

Common Rules Explanation

1. Player cannot improve the condition (or lie) of the ball while it is in play
   • Player cannot break, bend, or twist living entities or depress on grounds around the ball.
   • Loose impediments around the ball can be removed, without moving the ball.
2. Ball moved caused by the player incurs a 1 stroke penalty and the ball must be replaced to its original position.
3. Player does not have options to choose which ball to play - If original ball is located, any provisional ball hit is no longer in play.
4. Provisional ball:
   • Player should hit provisional if ball may be lost or out of bound (OB).
   • Without provisional ball, player must go back to original position for lost or OB ball.
   • Provisional ball should not be used if ball is hit toward a hazard.
5. Lost ball - Player is allowed 5 minutes to search for his lost ball starting from when he begins the search. Past 5 minutes, the ball is deemed lost.
6. Unplayable ball - The player may deem his ball unplayable at any place on the course, except when the ball is in the Water Hazard with 1 stroke penalty and apply one of the following options:
   • Go back to original spot.
   • Drop 2 club lengths not nearer to the hole.
   • Drop "straight" back as far as desired directly between the flag and the ball.
7. Red and Yellow Hazard:
   • Player with ball in a red hazard area (lateral hazard) gets an additional option compared to Yellow Hazard: Player can drop ball within 2 club lengths of POINT OF ENTRY not nearer to the hole and incur a 1 stroke penalty.
   • Yellow stake water hazard. See USGA rule or this attached video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qboVa6n96k&feature=related
8. Ball on green:
   • Player can only fix divots on the green – patting down your line of putt on the green is not allowed.
   • Mark your ball to replace it exactly where it was.
   • Mark your ball, then move your mark away from another player’s line of putt.
   • Cannot test the condition of the green prior to completing the hole.
9. Player must complete the hole with the same ball he started with – player cannot hit a ball to the green and putt with a different ball
10. Double Hit - If the player’s club strikes the ball more than once in the course of the stroke, the player must count the stroke and add a penalty stroke.
11. Play the wrong ball – Player is allowed to lift or move the ball for identification prior to playing. Penalty for playing the wrong ball is 2 strokes and he must drop the ball closest to where the wrong ball was played to complete the hole.
12. Man Made Object - If ball is not in the hazard and is interfered by yardage marker, cart path, sprinkle head, electrical box or any man-made object, ball can be dropped within 1 club lengths not nearer to the hole with no penalty.
13. Ball at Rest Moved by another Ball - There is no penalty to either player as long as this procedure is followed: The person whose shot struck the ball at rest plays his ball as it lies; the person whose ball was moved returns the ball to its original position.

Golf Etiquettes

1. Gimme Putt – No gimme putt. Golfer is required to putt out until the golf ball in the hole.
2. Mark your ball – Clearly mark your ball so others can easily identify and verify your ball.
3. Ask your playing partner to verify your actions under unusual circumstances. Examples:
   • When you need to pick up your ball to identify it.
   • When you found your ball in the woods, have your partner confirm the identity of your ball.
   • When you take a legitimate, free drop from man-made obstruction.
4. Play Ready Golf – do not fall 1 hole behind the group in front
5. Do not stand directly or in front of a player while he is putting or hitting a ball.