Local Rules and Conditions of Competition

FOR 2018 USGA CHAMPIONSHIPS

 

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. Fire ant hills, sod-covered trenching for temporary cables and French drains are deemed to be ground under repair. Rule 25-1. (Note: For a player whose ball is in a water hazard and is affected by a fire ant hill — see Decision 1-4/10.)

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.

 

Embedded Ball Through the Green

Local Rule as prescribed in Appendix I is in effect.
 

Seams of Cut Turf (Sod Seams)

Local Rule as prescribed in Appendix I is in effect.
 

Accidental Movement of a Ball on a 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. (NOTE: Full text of Local Rule available at http://www.usga.org/2017LocalRule).
 

Turf Plugs on the Putting Green

May be repaired even if they are not 4¼ inches.

 

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 otherwise provided for in the Notice to Players.

 

Integral Parts of the Course

Include cables, rods, wires and 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.

 

Wrong Score for Hole in Stroke Play

If a competitor returns a score for any hole lower than actually taken due to failure to include a penalty stroke that the player did not know he had incurred, the player is not disqualified. The penalty for the applicable Rule is applied, but there is no additional penalty. (NOTE: Full text of Local Rule available at http://usga.org/2018LocalRule).

 

Clubs: Grooves

Optional Condition is in effect — see applicable Championship entry application for details.

 

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 in effect.

 

Pace of Play

See separate memorandum to players for pace of play guidelines, when applicable.

 

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.

Note: A suspension for a dangerous situation will be signaled by one prolonged airhorn note. All other types of suspension will be signaled by three consecutive airhorn notes, repeated. Resumption of play will be signaled by two short airhorn notes, repeated.

 

Practice

Prior to and after his 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.

 

Transportation

Optional Condition as prescribed in Appendix I is in effect.

 

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.