| Play is governed by the 2010-2011 Rules of Golf of the United States Golf Association, and where applicable, by the following Local Rules, Conditions and Definitions. Appendix I refers to the Appendix of Local Rules; Conditions of the Competition in the 2010-2011 USGA Rules of Golf booklet. The Committee refers to The PGA of America Rules Committee. Unless otherwise provided, penalty for breach of a Local Rule is: Stroke play – Two strokes.
SUSPENSION OF PLAY DUE TO A DANGEROUS SITUATION:
When play is suspended for a dangerous situation, if the players in a match or group are between the play of two holes, they must not resume play until the Committee has ordered a resumption of play. If they are in the process of playing a hole, they must discontinue play immediately and must not resume play until the Committee has ordered a resumption of play.
All practice areas will be closed during suspension for a dangerous situation until the Committee has declared them open for use.
NOTE: A suspension for a dangerous situation will be signaled by one prolonged siren or horn blast. All other types of suspension will be signaled by three intermittent siren or horn blasts. Resumption of play will be signaled by two intermittent siren or horn blasts.
PENALTY FOR BREACH OF CONDITION: Disqualification
SPECIFICATIONS OF CLUBS AND THE BALL:
a) Driver Heads: Any driver the player carries must have a club head, identified by model and loft, that is named on the current List of Conforming Driver Heads issued by the USGA, which is available in The PGA of America Rules Office.
Exception: A driver with a club head that was manufactured prior to 1999 is exempt from this condition.
PENALTY FOR BREACH OF CONDITION: See Appendix I.
b) Golf Balls: The ball the player plays must be named on the current List of Conforming Golf Balls issued by the USGA, which is posted in The PGA of America Rules Office and the starting tees.
PENALTY FOR BREACH OF CONDITION: Disqualification
PACE OF PLAY: (Note 2 to Rule 6-7) A player will be subject to penalty if he unduly delays play. The pace of play guidelines which are in effect are posted at registration and starting tees.
TIME OF STARTING: (Note to Rule 6-3a) If the player arrives at his starting point, ready to play, within five minutes after his starting time, in the absence of circumstances that warrant waiving the penalty of disqualification as provided in Rule 33-7, the penalty for failure to start on time is two strokes at the first hole in stroke play. Penalty for lateness beyond five minutes is disqualification.
MEASURING CONDITION OF PUTTING GREENS: Before or between rounds on any day of the Competition or play-off, a player must not use any device that measures the condition (slope, texture, firmness or moisture level) of any putting green on the course. The use of such a device is only permitted on practice days.
PRACTICE AT PUTTING GREEN OF HOLE LAST PLAYED IS PROHIBITED: Between the play of two holes, a player must not make any practice stroke or roll a ball on or near the putting green of the hole last played.
CADDIE: (Page 119) A player is prohibited from using a caddie during the stipulated round.
TRANSPORTATION: Players must not ride on any form of transportation during a stipulated round unless authorized by The PGA of America Rules Committee.
PENALTY FOR BREACH OF CONDITION: See Appendix I
RETURNING SCORECARD: For the purpose of applying Rule 6-6c, a competitor is considered to have returned his scorecard when he has first left the scoring tent.
RESULT OF THE 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.
LIFTING AN EMBEDDED BALL: The “EMBEDDED BALL RULE” as written in Appendix I is in effect “through the green”.
OUT OF BOUNDS: Out of Bounds is defined by inside edge of white stakes and/or property fence posts at ground level.
IMMOVABLE OBSTRUCTIONS:
a) Asphalt and artificially surfaced roads and paths are immovable obstructions. White lined areas tying into roads or paths have the same status as the roads or paths, and thus they are obstructions and not ground under repair.
b) Railroad ties, curbing or the like adjoining cart paths are deemed to be part of the same obstruction.
c) Secured mats and plastic cable ramps covering cables are immovable obstructions.
GROUND UNDER REPAIR:
a) Areas defined by white lines (except Dropping Zones).
b) French drains, which are trenches, filled with rocks or stones.
c) Relief is for lie of ball or area of intended swing only for the following (through the green only):
(i) Seams of cut turf – All seams within the cut turf area are considered the same seam.
(ii) Newly trenched areas.
(iii) Painted yardage markings located in any closely mown area.
RETAINING WALLS AND PILINGS: When located within water hazards or within and/or around bunkers, retaining walls and pilings are integral parts of the course.
TREE WRAPPINGS, ELECTRICAL WIRES AND CABLES: Closely attached to trees: No relief. Tree wrappings, electrical wires, cables, signs and lightning rods closely attached to trees are not obstructions. They are integral parts of the course.
TEMPORARY IMMOVABLE OBSTRUCTIONS: Appendix I is in effect and includes any temporary immovable obstruction installed for the Competition.
TURF PLUGS ON PUTTING GREENS: On the putting green, in addition to Rule 16-1c, the player may repair turf plugs of any size.
CASUAL WATER ON THE PUTTING GREEN: If a temporary accumulation of casual water exists on the putting green, the following policy will operate when the ball lies on the putting green:
a) The player may take relief under the Rules of Golf (Rule 25-1b(iii)) or the player may request the Committee to squeegee the line of putt (but not both). Such squeegeeing may extend beyond the hole at the player's option.
b) The Committee may squeegee the putting green at any time.
c) The Committee may use any combination of a) or b) above.
PGA OF AMERICA RULES COMMITTEE
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