IGA - Local Rules and Conditions of Competition

The Rules of the United States Golf Association govern play. See each specific competition’s “Notice to Players” for additional Local Rules and Conditions. DISREGARD ALL LOCAL RULES ON CLUB SCORECARDS.

 

LOCAL RULES

 

ACCIDENTAL MOVEMENT OF A BALL ON A PUTTING GREEN (New in 2017):

• 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 18-2, 18-3 and 20-1.
• This Local Rule applies only when the player’s ball or ball-marker lies on the putting green and any movement is accidental.

Note: If it is determined that a player’s ball on the putting green was moved as a result of wind, water or some other natural cause such as the effects of gravity, the ball must be played as it lies from its new location. A ball-marker moved in such circumstances is replaced.”

 

Distance-Measuring Devices are allowed:  The note to Rule 14-3 is in effect for all IGA conducted championships.  The local rule is outlined in Appendix I Part A-7 (pg 153 in Rule Book).  (See Decision 14-3/0.5)

 

OUT OF BOUNDS: Defined by inside edge of white stakes, lines or fence posts at ground level.

 

WATER HAZARDS and LATERAL WATER HAZARDS (Rule 26): When a water hazard or lateral water hazard is defined on only one side, it is deemed to extend to infinity.  When a water hazard or lateral water hazard is bounded by out of bounds, the hazard margin extends to and coincides with the OB line.

 

GROUND UNDER REPAIR (Rule 25): Defined by enclosed white lines. French drains are deemed to be ground under repair.

 

SEAMS OF CUT TURF: The Local Rule for Seams of Cut Turf as prescribed in Appendix I is in effect. (3e p.145)

 

EMBEDDED BALL: Local Rule as prescribed in Appendix I is in effect. (3a p.142)

 

PROTECTION OF YOUNG TREES: Local Rule as prescribed in Appendix I is in effect (Rule 2B  p.139) Identification of young trees varies from course to course, see Specimen Local Rules for how young trees are identified.

 

STONES IN BUNKERS: Stones in bunkers are movable obstructions (Rule 24-1 applies)  

 

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

 

IMMOVABLE OBSTRUCTIONS CLOSE TO PUTTING GREEN: The Local Rule for Immovable Obstructions Close to Putting Green as prescribed in Appendix I is in effect (Rule 4a p.146).

 

INTEGRAL PARTS OF THE COURSE: Include cables, rods, wires, or wrapping when closely attached to trees; liners in bunkers and artificial walls and pilings when located within water hazards or within and/or around bunkers, retaining walls and pilings are integral parts of the course.  

 

PERMANENT ELEVATED POWER LINES OR CABLES: If a ball strikes a permanent elevated power line or cable during play of a hole, the stroke is canceled 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. See Decision 33-8/13 (For temporary power lines or cables see “Temporary Immovable Obstructions).  

 

TEMPORARY IMMOVABLE OBSTRUCTIONS: Appendix I is in effect and includes any temporary obstruction installed for the competition (Rule 4b p.147).

 

 

CONDITIONS OF COMPETITION- Appendix I, Part C, Rules of Golf

 

PRACTICE AT PUTTING GREEN OF HOLE PLAYED IS PROHIBITED: In stroke play competitions, between the play of two holes, a player must not make any practice stroke on or near the putting green of the hole last played and must not test the surface of the putting green of the hole last played by rolling a ball (page 159).

 

SPECIFICATION OF CLUBS AND THE BALL: The ball and driver the player uses must be named on the current “List of Conforming Golf Balls” or “List of Conforming Driver Heads” of the USGA.

 

NOTE TO RULE 6-8: The note to rule 6-8 (DISCONTINUANCE OF PLAY; RESUMPTION OF PLAY) is in effect.  See gray box below on Suspension of Play.

 

PACE OF PLAY:  (Rule 6-7 Note 2) A player shall be subject to penalty if he unduly delays play.  The IGA Pace of Play is in effect and can be referenced at www.iowagolf.org.  

 

RESULTS OF THE COMPETITION: When all scores have been posted on the Official scoreboard and approved by the Rules Committee the result of the competition shall be deemed to have been officially announced.

 

Unless otherwise noted in the applicable Rule, the penalty for breach of a Local Rule Condition is:
Match Play - Loss of hole     Stroke Play - Two strokes