LOCAL RULES AND CONDITIONS OF COMPETITIONS FOR 2018 WMGA TOURNAMENTS
The Rules of Golf as approved by the United States Golf Association govern play. See applicable Notice to Players for additional Local Rules and Conditions. Complete text of Rules and Appendix I may be found in the 2016-2020 Rules of Golf.
Unless otherwise noted, the penalty for breach of a Local Rule or Condition is: Match play — Loss of hole • Stroke play — Two strokes
LOCAL RULES
Out of Bounds— Defined by inside points, at ground level, of white stakes and fence posts. Rule 27-1b.
Water and Lateral Water Hazard Stakes and Lines— When a water hazard or a 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 out of bounds line.
Ground Under Repair— Defined by white lines. Sod-covered trenching for temporary cables and French drains are deemed to be ground under repair. Rule 25-1. Ground under repair may include areas of unusual damage, including areas where spectators or other traffic has combined with wet conditions to affect materially the ground surface, but only when so declared by an authorized member of the Committee. When immediately adjacent to an obstruction, such an area is part of the obstruction.
Seams of Cut Turf (Sod Seams)— The Local Rule as prescribed in Appendix I is in effect.
Immovable Obstructions— Include plastic bumpers on roads and paths and mats secured to the ground with spikes when the bumpers or mats cover cables.
White-Lined Areas Tying Into Artificially-Surfaced Roads and Paths— have the same status as the roads and paths, that of obstructions.
Wood Chips and Mulch— are loose impediments, unless other- wise provided for in the Notice to Players.
Embedded Ball Through the Green— Local Rule as prescribed in Appendix I is in effect.
Integral Parts of the Course— include cables, rods, wires or wrappings when closely attached to trees; artificial walls and pilings when located in hazards, unless otherwise provided for in the Notice to Players.
Temporary Power Lines and Cables— Local Rule as prescribed in Appendix I is in effect.
Temporary Immovable Obstructions— Local Rule as prescribed in Appendix I is in effect..
Accidental Movement of a Ball on a Putting Green -- Rules 18-2, 18-3, and 20-1 are modified as follows: 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.
CONDITIONS
List of Conforming Driver Heads — Optional Condition as prescribed in Appendix I is in effect.
List of Conforming Golf Balls— Optional Condition as prescribed in Appendix I is in effect.
Limitation on Golf Balls (“One-Ball Rule”)— Optional Condition as prescribed in Appendix I is NOT in effect.
Time of Starting– The player must start at the time established by the Committee. If the player arrives at his starting point, ready to play, within five minutes after his starting time, the penalty for failure to start on time is loss of the first hole in match play, or two strokes at the first hole in stroke play. Otherwise, the penalty for breach of this Rule is disqualification.
Pace of Play— See separate memorandum to players for pace of play guidelines, when applicable.
Practice— Prior to and after her 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.
Distance-Measuring Devices– For all play during WMGA competitions 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 14-3. Penalty for Breach of Rule 14-3: Match Play – Loss of Hole. Stroke Play – Two Strokes. For subsequent offense – Disqualification.
Close of Competition— The competition is deemed to have closed when the trophy has been presented to the winner or, in the absence of a prize ceremony, when all scores have been approved by the Committee. The result of a match is considered to have been “officially announced” when the Committee has approved the result as posted on the public scoreboard.
Discontinuance of Play— Optional Condition as prescribed in Appendix I is in effect. All practice areas are closed during suspension for a dangerous situation until the Committee has declared them open. Players who practice on closed practice areas will be asked to cease doing so; failure to comply may result in revocation of entry.