The MGA Board asks that all members read and follow the suggestions contained in “section 1” of the USGA Revised Rules of Golf. That members be ever mindful of the need to not litter when on the golf course (cigarette butts, sunflower seeds on the green, etc.) and secure loose objects and trash in their carts prior to trailering them to and from the golf course.

 

RULES:  All play will be conducted under the USGA Rules of Golf except for the following local rules and clarifications.

 

  1. PREFERRED or IMPROVED LIES, will be allowed as follows:
    1. Lift and place the ball no more than 12” from the original location and not nearer the hole remaining within the same cut of grass.
    2. Line of play position may not be improved. Example: If a ball is behind a tree, the ball must be played from behind the tree after the ball has been placed. If the ball is in the rough it must be played in the rough. Newly planted and identified trees are the exception.

 

  1. The ball may be placed from “the paved cart path” within the course boundaries when such paths and roads interfere with stance or swing. Any ball coming to rest on a cart path may be placed on the fairway side within two club lengths of the cart path, no nearer to the hole. When the cart path interferes with the stance, relief will be by placing two club lengths from the path, no nearer the hole. If the ball is away from the fairway side, it must be played from that side.

 

  1. Man Made Obstructions:
    1. Relief procedures are provided under USGA rules. Drop one club length no nearer the hole.
    2. Fans are temporary immovable obstructions. You are entitled to relief for line of play besides stance and swing. If in a sand trap, you must drop within the sand trap no nearer the hole. Other man made areas such as mulched ground and flowers requires a free drop.

 

  1. Sand Traps: Play the ball as it lies. You are in a penalty area. Special Exception: When the course is carts on path due to weather it is permissible to rake and place the ball in the trap. Also rake and place if the ball is in an animal footprint. Do your part and properly rake the trap for the benefit of other players.

 

  1. The water level of lakes or creeks shall determine the penalty area boundary line if not otherwise staked.

 

  1. Drop Areas, if provided will be designated. BVCC Hole #2 has a drop area left of the cart path across the bridge. Hole #5 has a drop area built for women’s play only. The MGA rule is to play with penalty until hitting over the creek.

 

  1. Scramble Events: Each team member will play the ball until holed according to local rules. Whenever a selected shot is to be played from a penalty area, sand trap, rough, or fairway, each team member must play from the same spot after placing the ball within 12”, no nearer the hole. The player of the selected shot must hit the ball first from where it lies if in a penalty area.

 

  1. Red/Yellow Staked: One of the following options must be used: The ball may be played from where it lies. If declared unplayable, drop the ball within two club lengths not nearer the hole from where it currently rests or two club lengths from where the ball first crossed the margin of the penalty area. Add “one stroke” penalty and play on. If the ball is lost within the penalty area drop the ball two club lengths from where it is determined the ball crossed the penalty margin. One stroke penalty. When the penalty area is “yellow staked” and the ball is inside this penalty area, the ball must be placed from the margin side away from the hole.

 

  1. Special MGA rule regarding Hole #13 at Dogwood: The cement canal shall be considered ground under repair. Take free drop 2 club lengths from behind where the ball crossed into the canal.

 

  1. Natural Areas: Balls coming to rest in designated natural areas, or non-designated natural areas within the playing area of the golf course will be played as if in a penalty area. Note the local rule that mulched ground or flower areas requires a free drop.

 

  1. Out of Bounds and Lost Balls: When a ball is hit out of bounds the player has the option to take stroke and distance and hit again or drop the ball at the edge of the fairway across from where the ball crossed the OB line and add a two stroke penalty. The MGA encourages a player to take the edge of fairway option rather than “go back to the original hitting spot” for sake of pace of play. If a ball that is deemed outside a penalty area and lost after a reasonable search (limit 3 minutes) the player will drop the placement of the ball at the edge of the fairway nearest where the original ball was last seen landed and take a two stroke penalty.

 

  1. On The Green: All putts will be holed out, no exceptions. Please, help enforce this rule by speaking up if witnessing a violation.

 

  1. A GHIN handicap index is required to play in the MGA beginning with the 2023 season.

 

  1. The MGA has a MAX Score rule when playing in a team event. The max score for a hole is NET DOUBLE BOGEY. Once at the max score the player should pick up. The reason for a max score is to improve the pace of play. Another way to speed up play is to play ready golf. Every team should strive to keep up with the group in front. There is not a MAX Score rule when playing a low gross/net event. Count all strokes until holed.

 

  1. LOCAL MGA RULES:
    1. The pairings board director will assign a blind “before play” to teams as needed. The chosen blind will appear on the Genius scorecard and the blind score will populate as that player enters scores. Note that teams are paired such that each team has a similar total handicap for fairness. The blind will be chosen to maintain this parity.
    2. All immovable red or yellow penalty stakes are considered immovable obstructions. Free relief for swing, stance, or line of flight is allowed.
    3. All mulched or pine needle areas are considered ground under repair.
    4. Unmarked rocky ground and tree roots are considered ground under repair.
    5. All birdhouses and greenside fans are temporary immovable objects. Free relief for swing, stance, and line of flight.
    6. Washed out areas in bunkers are played as ground under repair.

 

  1. RULES REGARDING PLAYERS THAT DROP OUT AND WHEN PLAY IS CANCELED.
    1. If the event is canceled by a MGA Board Director consider every aspect about that event as canceled.
    2. Players can choose to keep playing during a weather event. If one or more players on a team choose to quit, and the event is a team event, how do you reward the players that finished? The remaining teammates can continue playing if they can post scores that fulfill the event requirements without the benefit of a blind. The remaining team then continues to participate in the team awards. If the team can’t abide by the event rules the team is disqualified. Players on a disqualified team that do finish play will be eligible for Hole in One, CTPS, Deuce Pot, and Player of the Year points. Note that a player that does not finish is disqualified from all awards.
    3. If the event is an individual event and one or more players quit the remaining players that finish will be reviewed for results same as on a regular event because the “individual” is the team.
    4. For the record the MGA strongly encourages players to leave the course if there is lightening in the area.

          The MGA Board has the authority to cancel play even if the course remains open.

  17. Hole In One Payout.

                a. $5 from the initial member's dues is set aside to fund the hole in one pot. At the conclusion of MGA play for the season the                        hole in one pot will be equally divided amongst all MGA members that had a hole in one during a sanctioned MGA event. If                      there is only one hole in one during the season's play and the hole in one pot exceeds $1,000 the amount paid out will be                            capped at $1,000. If there is not a hole in one for the season the funds will roll over to the next season.