Now that Tyler and his staff have put out those
colourful stakes all over the course, there has been some discussion about the rules applying to them. Before I begin, I want to thank Claudia for the "Rules Cheat Sheet" in the locker room. They are
bright pink and are there for all to take. They are laminated, so you can put them in your bag to pull out for handy reference. I also have copies of the "
Easy Guide to the Etiquette and Rules of Golf" for sale for $2.50. Pictures and illustrations throughout the book help you understand the rules and it's written in non-legal language. Regular rules books are $4.
WHITE STAKES - mostly to the left on our course (#1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 9 (both sides), 12 and 15 (by the range) - signify Out of Bounds. If you see the ball go out, you must count a penalty stroke and re-hit from the same place. If you are unsure if the ball is out of bounds, you may hit a "provisional" ball (after telling playing partners you are doing so) and play it until you get to the point where the first ball possibly went out. If the first ball is indeed out of bounds, your provisional ball becomes the ball in play. If you find that your first ball is actually in bounds, you must play it. Some specific rules about OB:
- if lines define out of bounds, and any part of the ball is in bounds or touching the line, it is in play.
- you may not move an out of bounds stake to play the ball.
- you may not play a ball that is out of bounds, even though it is 'playable'.
- you may stand out of bounds and play the ball as long as the ball is in bounds.
YELLOW STAKES - signify a water hazard that you must cross to get to the target (ie our creek and ponds that you must cross). When your ball goes into a hazard, you may not play a provisional ball. For example if you think it may have crossed the creek, you or your playing partners may go across to see if the ball is safe. If you choose not to do that and find it later, that found ball is no longer in play. When you hit the ball into the hazard, make note of its 'point of entry' (where it last crossed the hazard). Here are your choices of how to play from a yellow hazard:
1. You may play from the hazard as long as you do not move anything natural (leaves, branches, divots, etc) and you do not touch your club on the ground.
Or with a penalty of one shot:
2. You may drop a ball and play from the same place you just played from.
3. You may keep the 'point of entry' between you and the hole and go back as far as you want on a straight line. (Fairway may be ideal, but that line may not get you to the fairway.)
RED STAKES - signify a "lateral" hazard (for example way left on #2, the high rough to the right of #8, or the pond on the right of #10). The same rules apply as for a yellow hazard (above) but you have two additional choices of how to play:
4. You may take relief two club lengths from the point of entry, not nearer the hole.
5. If possible, you may do the same thing on the other side of the hazard, and play from there.
Unlike OB stakes, you may move hazard stakes to play a ball.
There is a question every year about the pond on #8: "I hit the ball to the far bank of the pond and it comes back into the water. Am I allowed to drop it over there?" Ask yourself, did it completely cross the water hazard? Answer: no - therefore you must use the the yellow hazard rules above.
It pays to know the rules - they are not meant to penalize you, but to keep the playing field fair for all. Sometimes you can even use them to your advantage. Please let me know if you want other rules explained on the blog.
And don't forget, Opening Field Day is Saturday and our first Team Play is next Tuesday!!
