Philippine Golf Association of Georgia

PGAG In-House Rules and Regulations

Golf Q & A

PGAG IN-HOUSE RULES AND REGULATIONS

I. PURPOSE

The Philippine Golf Association of Georgia (PGAG) shall be governed by the existing by laws and shall conform with existing rules by USGA unless amended by the Board of Directors of PGAG. Additional in-house governing rules and regulations are written for all members.

II. MEMBERSHIP

The only requirement for membership is being a Filipino/Filipina by ancestry or related by marriage. Initial membership dues is $ 20.00 per person.

III. GOLF OUTING

Section 1 - Golf outings shall be governed by the Tournament Committee who will arrange and schedule with the management of any golf course as needed.

Section 2 - The officers together with the appointed Chairman of the Tournament Committee
shall create an annual calendar of golf outings and shall elect annually the Chairman of Tournament Committee (CTC). The Chairman shall work with the officers to elect two members per outing as Outing Directors to secure venue and golf outing date.

Section 3 - The Chairman of Tournament Committee (CTC) shall coordinate with the Outing Directors outing venue,date, fees, deposit, member information, collection, score sheet, scoringsystem, rules & etiquette, flight schedule and other matters connected to the golf outing.

Section 4 - Schedule of flights for members on all outings shall be distributed in accordance with the member player skill. All Class (category of skills) shall be distributed evenly in all flights. Class A members must lead their flight group in following USGA and PGAG rules and regulations.

Section 5 - If a member cannot attend the golf outing, the member should give the Outing Director enough time to cancel.

IF:

1. A member does not cancel on time, that member will automatically pay the
outing fee, because the association will pay the course with or without the
member's presence. Some Golf Courses standard payment policy is to pay in
full for the reserved slot prior to the outing date.

IV. OUTING FEES

Section 1 - Outing Fee shall be paid to the Outing Director.
Section 2 - Usually an additional fee of $10.00 to $15.00 shall be added for food and trophies.

V. GOLF RULES & ETIQUETTE

All members should familiarize themselves with the rules and etiquette.
RULES:
1. Must have a golf bag and no more than 14 clubs.
2. Follow Local and USGA Rules of Golf.
3. Dress Code to be observed at all times.
4. Play the ball as is where it is.

EXCEPTIONS:
1. In or around water hazard including RED boundary marker or other hazards. Move ball within 2 club length away from the hole. Add 1 penalty stroke. No penalty stroke if played in the hazard.

2. Out of bounds ball (indicated by white stakes) follows USGA rules. Hit a provisionary ball. If first ball is not found, provisionary ball is the ball at play; add two strokes penalty. If provisionary ball is
also not found, player may drop ball two club lengths from the entry point of provisionary ball; player will be hitting 6.

3. Lost ball not marked by red stakes (such as water hazards) follow rule on Out of Bounds ball. (Exception #2)

4. Unplayable ball due to immovable obstruction, such as sprinkler or electric post, replace ball one club length on or about where the ball lies not nearer the hole. No penalty stroke.

5. Unplayable ball inside a forested area, tall grass or under a tree, move ball to two club lengths on or about the exit point of the ball not nearer the hole. Add 1 penalty stroke.

6. Unplayable lie. Drop ball 1 club length from spot no nearer the hole. Add one (1) penalty stroke. In case of flood ball (ball embedded in mud or casual water), do the same but no penalty.

7. Ladies may move ball backward off a divot.

8. Stroke relief applies to casual water, ground under repair, cart path, immovable obstruction, sprinkler holes, drain holes and burrows, move ball no nearer the green. No penalty stroke.

9. Under scoring by any player will cause lost of match. Over scoring, will stand.

ETIQUETTE:

1. Play within your ability and drive the ball within your range. (Watch out for players up front)

2. Observe silence when fellow players address the ball.

3. Back tees and ball farthest to the hole have priority when hitting the ball.

4. Follow pair numbering for the first tee and observe honor to all succeeding tees. However, ready golf is encouraged when everybody in the foursome agrees.

5. Always repair ball marks in green.

6. Do not drag, twist, and pivot your feet while in the green. Do not step on other player's ball line.

7. Remove pin only when all players are on the green.

8. The closest ball to the hole man the pin.

9. Putt through at all times.

10. Last ball to play reinserts the pin to the hole.

11. Exit the green as quickly as possible.

12. Better player scores the card. Peer to peer review mandatory.

13. Update your score card before next tee. Total scores correctly. Sign, and co-sign score card.

VI. AWARDS

Usually

1. LOW NET CHAMPION - by groups (A, B and C)
2. NEAREST TO THE PIN
3. LONGEST DRIVE
4. FEMALE CHAMPION - If there are minimum of 6 female players

All golf tournaments shall be governed by the USGA and in house rules. Any disputes or controversies will be settled by the Rules and Regulations Committee.

RULES ON TIED SCORES FOR TROPHY AWARDS:
In case of a tie on any awards, the one with the lower handicap index will receive the trophy.

OTHER AWARDS: All golf tournaments shall be governed by the USGA and in house rules. Any disputes or controversies will be settled by the Rules and Regulations Committee.

VII. BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS:

As embodied by the by laws, for the year 2004 a total of nine (9 ) members shall comprise the Board of directors, however only the President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer/membership chairman shall be elected to be held on the YEAR END TOURNAMENT.

Below is the list of officers' positions which shall be appointed by the President-elect.

Tournament Chairman
Handicap Director
Rules and Regulations Chairman
Adviser

Golf Q&A

Q. Why can't spike marks be repaired?

A. The Rules of Golf are based on two fundamental principles: (1) play the ball as it lies and (2) play the course as you find it. Permitting the repair of spike marks on a player's line of play or putt would be contrary to these fundamental principles. Rule 16-1c permits the repair of old hole plugs and ball marks but does not permit the repair of spike damage or other irregularities of surface on the putting green if they are on a player's line of play or putt or might assist him in his subsequent play of the hole. The distinction lies in the fact that old hole plugs and ball marks are easily identifiable as such, whereas it is impossible to differentiate between spike damage and other irregularities of surface on the putting green. Permitting the repair of spike marks would also inevitably lead to a
slower place of play.

Q: In the course of making a practice swing, a player accidentally strikes and moves his ball. What is the ruling?

A: If the ball was not in play, i.e., the incident occured on the teeing ground and a stroke had not been made, there is no penlaty. However, if the ball was in play, the player incurred a penalty stroke under Rule 18-2a and the ball must be replaced. (Based on Decisions 18-2a/19 and 18-2a/20).

Q: What is the Rule for allowing "gimmies"?

A: The Rules of Golf do not permit "gimmies". Rule 1-1 states that the Game of Golf consists in playing a ball from the teeing ground into the hole by a stroke or successive strokes in accordance with the Rules. Additionally, in stroke play, if a player fails to hole out and does not correct the error
prior to playing a stroke from the next teeing ground, he shall be disqualified - see Rule 3-2. In match play, if the putt has not been conceded, (Rule 2-4) the player shall lose the hole.

Flagstick Removed While Ball in Motion on Putting Green
Q. Player B removes the flagstick and places it on the putting green behind the hole and putts. Player A, thinking B`s ball will strike the flagstick, picks up the flagstick, allowing B`s ball to roll beyond where the flagstick had been placed. What is the ruling?

A. In match play, A loses the hole for removing an obstruction, which might influence the movement of the ball while the player`s ball was in motion. In stroke play, A incurs a penalty of two strokes. (Rule 1-2 or 24-1). There is no penalty to B and B`s ball must be played as it lies. (From Decision
1-2/3)

Players Agree to Repair Spike Marks
Q. Before beginning their round, Dave and Mike agree to repair all spike marks on the greens. Is there a penalty?

A. Yes. Dave and Mike are both disqualified for agreeing to waive the Rules.

Asking Distance between Permanent Objects
Q. A player asks his opponent fellow competitor the distance from a bunker, water hazard or tree to the hole. Is he considered to be asking for advice and in breach of Rule 8-1?

A. A player may ask anyone to inform him as to the distance from a permanent object to another permanent object. Such information is public information. A player may ask only his partner or either of their caddies to inform him as to the distance from a non-permanent object, e.g., his ball, to the
putting green. (Definition of "Advice" and Decision 8-1/2)

Club Placed on Ground to Align Feet
Q. A player places a club on the ground parallel to the line of play to assist him in aligning his feet properly. Is this permissible?

A. Yes, provided the player removes the club before playing his stroke. Otherwise a breach of Rule 8-2a would occur.

Lifting Ball for Identification
Q. Am I permitted to lift a ball that I believe is mine to identify it?

A. Yes, under Rule 12-2, a ball may be lifted for identification. The player must announce his intention to lift the ball to an opponent, fellow-competitor or marker, and mark the position of the ball. He must also give the opponent, fellow-competitor or marker an opportunity to observe the lifting and replacement of the ball. This may be done anywhere except in a hazard. (Rule 12-2)

Using Club other than Putter on Putting Green?
Q. Is it permissible to use a club other than a putter to play a stroke on the putting green?

A. Yes, the Rules of Golf do not stipulate the type of club that must be used for making a stroke on the putting green or anyplace else on the golf course.

Can I use a Putting Ball?
Q. Once I reach the putting green, is it permissible to switch balls so I can putt with a ball that has "better feel?"

A. Rule 15-1 requires a player to hole out with the ball played from the teeing ground unless a Rule permits him to substitute another ball. Thus, the substitution of a ball on the putting green other than when permitted by the Rules ( i.e , a ball unfit for play) is contrary to Rule 15-1. However,
a player may change golf balls between the play of two holes.

Ball Strikes Person Attending Flagstick
Q. Shawn has asked Jerry to attend the flagstick while he plays. The ball rolls towards Jerry and strikes his foot. What is the ruling?

A. Shawn incurs a penalty as the ball struck the person he had authorized to attend the flagstick. When Shawn asked Jerry to do so, he assumed all responsibility for Jerry`s actions.

Stones in Bunkers
Q. What is the status of stones in bunkers?

A. Stones are by definition loose impediments regardless of their location. Thus, when the ball and the stone lie in or touch the same hazard, the stone may not be removed. However, a Committee may adopt a Local Rule stating that stones in bunkers are movable obstructions. Unless this Local Rule is put into effect by the Committee, players may not remove stones in bunkers
without penalty.

Entire Bunker filled with Casual Water
Q. What are a player`s options if an entire bunker is filled with casual water?

A. Under Rule 25-1b( ii), without penalty, the player may drop the ball in the bunker at a point that provides maximum available relief (i.e., in 1 inch of water rather than 5 inches). Or, under penalty of one stroke, the player may drop the ball outside the bunker keeping the point where the ball
lay directly between the hole and where the ball is dropped, with no limit on how far behind the bunker the ball may be dropped. (See Decision 25-1b/8)