VERMONT GOLF ASSOCIATION
RULES OF PLAY AND CONDITIONS OF COMPETITION FOR VGA CHAMPIONSHIPS
Play is governed by the most current Rules of Golf and Interpretations.
Unless otherwise provided, penalty for breach of a Rule is two strokes in stroke play or loss of hole in match play.
1. BALL ACCIDENTLY MOVED ON THE PUTTING GREEN: 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 9-3, 9-4, 9-5, 9-6, and 9-7.
2. EMBEDDED BALL: In the General Area, a ball that is embedded in its own pitch mark in the ground may be lifted without penalty, cleaned and dropped in 1 club-length relief area provided in Rule 16-3.
3. GROUND UNDER REPAIR: As provided in Rules 16-1, enclosed white lined areas define ground under repair offering relief without penalty. Other areas of ground under repair include, even if not so marked, French drains (trenches filled with stone or the like) determined either visually or by probing where covered by grass.
4. STONES IN BUNKERS: Stones in bunkers are to be considered movable obstructions, relief from this situation is addressed in Rule 15-2.
5. BALLS & CLUBS: Only balls and clubs on the USGA’s latest List of Conforming Balls and Clubs may be used. Penalty: Disqualification. NOTE: Implementation of the USGA’s Grove Rule will not be in effect for any VGA events at this time.
6. TIME OF STARTING: As Rule 5-3 states a player must start the round at the time set by the Committee. If player arrives at starting point no more than 5 minutes late they receive the General Penalty (Loss of Hole in Match Play, Two-Stroke Penalty in Stroke Play, and if they arrive after more than 5 minutes after the start of their round the penalty is Disqualification.
7. PACE OF PLAY: Players are referred to Rule 5-6 concerning pace of play. The pace of play for each event shall be posted at the event. Violations of pace of play shall be subject to the modified penalties permitted by section 5-6a as follows for match/stroke play: First occasion – Friendly Reminder, Second occasion – Warning, Third occasion – One Stroke Penalty, Fourth Occasion – Two Stroke Penalty, Fifth Occasion –Disqualification. If a ruling or some other legitimate delay occurs which causes the group to lose position with respect to either the allotted time and/or the preceding group, players are expected to make up the time and/or position.
8. DISTANCE-MEASURING DEVICES: A player may obtain distance information by use of a distance-measuring device. If, during a stipulated round, a player uses a distance-measuring device to gauge or measure other conditions that might affect his play (e.g., elevation changes, wind speed, etc.), the player is in breach of Rule 4-3.
9. PLAYER CONDUCT: All players are expected to play in the spirit of the game by: Acting with integrity (following rules, applying penalties, being honest), Showing consideration for others (playing at prompt pace, looking out for safety of others), and Taking good care of the course (replacing divots, repairing ball-marks, not causing unnecessary damage to the course). While there is no penalty under the rules for failing to act in this manner, the Committee may disqualify a player for acting contrary to the spirit of the game if it finds that the player had committed serious misconduct.
10. DISCONTINUANCE OF PLAY: A suspension of play for a dangerous situation will be signaled by one prolonged air horn note. Players must discontinue play immediately and leave the golf course. All practice areas are closed during suspension for a dangerous situation. Three consecutive air horn notes will signal all other types of suspension such as darkness or unplayable course. Two short air horn notes, repeated, will signal resumption of play.
11. SPIKES: Shoes with traditionally-designed spikes (regardless of composition, such as ceramic or plastic) or spikes, regardless of design, comprised either entirely or partially of metal are prohibited under penalty of Disqualification.
12. NO SHOW POLICY: Players failing to appear for an assigned tee time without notifying the VGA may be subject to suspension from play in future VGA tournaments for one year. NO SHOWS also include players who fail to turn in score cards or who withdraw during play without a valid reason and without notifying an official and personally surrendering their score card to that official.
13. RETURNING SCORES: Immediately upon completion of the round, the player must report to the scoring area. It is the player’s responsibility to verify the hole-by-hole scores on the scorecard, ensure that the card is signed by the scorer (marker) and attested to by the player. Once a player has left the scoring area their scorecard is officially submitted and no changes can be made.
14. PLAY-OFF: Play-off will begin at the time and the hole designated by the Committee after all players have completed the stipulated round. If conditions do not allow a play-off to occur or continue, the result will be determined by a matching of score cards as follows: low/best score for last nine holes, or if still tied, low/best score for last six holes, or if still tied, low/best score for last three, or if still tied, low/best score on last hole or if still tied winner will be determined by lot.
15. LOCAL RULES: These rules and any local rules distributed by the committee supersede any local rules printed on the host club’s scorecard, or otherwise posted.
16. RESULTS OF COMPETITION: When all scores have been posted on the official scoreboard and approved by the committee, the result of the competition is deemed to have been officially announced.
17. THE COMMITTEE: The Committee in charge of the competition shall consist of the VGA Executive Director, Tournament Director, Chairman of the VGA Rules Committee and such other persons identified as such by any of them who are present at the course at the time Committee action is required. The decisions of the Committee are final.
Revised March 2021