Member Club 

TOP  Bylaws & Rules ORGANIZATION GENERAL TEAM MATCHES AND SCORING RULES OF PLAY SOME "PLAIN LANGUAGE" COMMENTS ON THE RULES I. ORGANIZATION: A. Club Name and Purpose The name of this organization is the "EACMA GOLF CLUB", sponsored and organized under the auspices of the ExxonMobil Annuitant Club – Morris Area (EACMA) .  The League is an activity of the EACMA Golf Club.  The purpose of the EACMA Golf Club is: To stimulate interest in golf at the EACMA. To promote and preserve communications, fellowship and mutual helpfulness among EACMA members and their guests. To promote and conserve the best interests and true spriit of the game of golf as embodied in its ancient and honorable traditions. To encourage conformance to the USGA Rules of Golf, to maintain a uniform system of handicapping as set forth in the USGA Handicap System and issue the USGA Handicap Indexes to the members. To provide an authoritative body to conduct and govern club competitions. B. Membership Membership is limited to either (a) annuitants of ExxonMobil, or (b) current or former Exxon or Mobil employees, (c) spouses of a) or b) above or (d) others by invitation and sponsorship of a) or b) above. Annuitants who are current members of an ExxonMobil Annuitant's Club will pay the lowest annual dues. There will be an entry fee surcharge for all qualified individuals joining the Golf League that are not current members of the EACMA. This is to compensate the League for the EACMA support provided for current EACMA members. It is each member's responsibility, if he/she resigns from EACMA or the league during the golf season and does not wish to play for the remainder of that season, to find another golfer to take his/her place in the league. There are no refunds. You must sell your share to a replacement. C. Officers All club officers must be members in good standing of the EACMA. The Chairperson will administer the EACMA Golf Club & League. A Treasurer will be responsible for the financial activities of the League, and report directly to the Chairperson. A Statistician will be responsible for maintaining the golf results and handicap program and assisting the other officers with administrative duties. An Historian will maintain the files and records of the Club and its predecessors. There will be no restrictions on the number of times a league member can hold a league office. The Club Committees appointed by the Chairperson shall generally function as recommended in the USGA Committee manual. The Chairperson will be an ex-officio member of all committees. D. Rules Committee The Golf Club will be governed by a Rules Committee composed of a Chairman and other members appointed by the Chairperson. The Rules Committee is responsible for all changes to these by-laws, and will also serve, as arbiters of any and all disputes not resolved by the team captains or match captains. All decisions of the Rules Committee shall be final and binding on all parties involved. Protests must be filed in writing, and received by a member of the Rules Committee by 3:30 P.M. of the next day following the disputed round. There will be no restriction on the number of times a league member can serve on the Rules Committee. E. Handicap Committee The Chairperson will appoint a committee of members to have the responsibility for establishing a fair and proper system of handicaps in accordance with the procedures set forth in the USGA Handicap System manual. II. GENERAL:    Back to Top A. Course All play will be at the Meadows Golf Club, normally Mondays, with matches starting at our reserved tee times at 1:00pm and 3:30pm. With the Starter's permission Members may begin play earlier and starting at 11:00am is not uncommon. Members can arrange together to play anytime subject to availability of tee times. If members wish to play 18 holes they must ensure that they make the turn and tee off for their match or last 9 holes by 3:40pm. Members arriving after 4:00pm can still get off but they may have to wait until the following League has finished teeing off and then are directed to start by the Starter. Play will be from the White Tee markers for the men and the Red Tee markers for the women. All matches will be played using the League Scorecard provided by the Meadows Golf Club. B. Teams The Chairperson will assign members to teams, with a goal of attaining an equal number of players per team, while considering prior team membership and requests by members. Teams will consist of at least five (5) members. The Chairperson will determine the number of teams in the league. C. Team Captains Each team will choose a team captain who will be responsible for: Nominating a Co-Captain to act as team Captain in their absences. Selection of two-players for each scheduled match. Designation of one of the players as match captain. If no selection is made, the low handicap player will be the match captain. Distribution of all information to team members. Ensuring team match scores are input to the Club webpage the evening of play, but no later than noon the following day. Ensuring their team scorecards, signed by the opposing match captain, are retained until the end of the season. D. Scheduled League Matches The Chairperson will determine the season schedule. All scheduled League matches will be played on either nine, unless advised to the contrary by the Rules Committee. Two members of each team will play in each of the team's scheduled matches during regular season play (see III D. Substitutes). E. Tee-off Order Generally, foursomes playing a match will NOT have priority over those members not scheduled for competitive league play. Golfers not scheduled for matches will allow scheduled golfers teeing preference on the front nine on days when the weather is threatening or daylight is limited. The order will be on a "first come-first served" basis, based on complete foursomes on the teeing ground. There will be no teeing order reservations by individuals awaiting the arrival of other members. Members wishing to play 9 holes prior to playing in a match must arrange to play on different 9 holes. A member may not play in a match on the same holes played in practice on the same day. ( An exception to this rule may be made, BUT only with prior approval of both Match Captains, when the Starter will not allow the match to go out except on the same 9 holes that one or more of the players have already played that day. This exception should be reported on the Match Scorecards alongside the Match Captains signatures). III. TEAM MATCHES AND SCORING:    Back to Top A. Handicaps The Club will use the United States Golf Association (USGA) handicap system. Full details of the system may be found on the USGA website at www.usga.com. A basic premise underlies the USGA Handicap system, namely that every player will try to make the best score at each hole in every round played, regardless of where the round is played, and that every available round will be posted for review. All members shall post their scores for all rounds played. The scores may be posted to the EACMA Golf Club website (eacmagolf.org). An option is available for players who maintain a USGA Handicap Index at another course. Instead of posting ALL their rounds at the other course and on the EACMA website, a duplicate effort, the player can simply post their Handicap Index to the EACMA website every time it is updated, about every two weeks during the season. This option is available ONLY for players who maintain a USGA Handicap Index at another course by posting ALL their rounds played, including 9-hole rounds at the Meadows or elsewhere. To ensure that the players are updating their Index, the EACMA system will set their USGA Handicap Index back to ZERO at the end of each Handicap Revision period at which time the player MUST enter a new Index into the system. When playing in a team match, the Index which is in the EACMA website BEFORE the match is played will apply. This is either their revised USGA Handicap Index or ZERO if their Index has not been updated. Members will be assigned a handicap for 9 holes play based on the score cards or Handicap Index submitted. Score cards for team matches must be retained by the team captain in case they are needed. Score cards with scores for a 9 hole match and 9 practice holes will be recorded as an 18 hole round for the handicap calculation. As allowed under USGA Handicap System rules, there will be a local rule to allow the maximum USGA Handicap Index to exceed the USGA maximum by 10 strokes for 18 holes for both Men and Women.  The letter "L" following the number on the handicap card will designate this local handicap.  The "L" handicap will only be acceptable for EACMA League team matches at the Meadows G.C.  Per USGA handicap rules, for all play outside this club, the "L" handicap must be reduced to the USGA maximum handicap index. For our tournaments, the Tournament Chairmen reserve the right to enforce this rule, especially for 9-hole club tournaments such as the Head-to-Head and Mini tournaments. The Handicap Committee reserves the rights to adjust a player’s handicap if extenuating circumstances warrant. B. Scoring Scoresheets will be available on the club website. The official Meadows scorecards for League play will be used to record matches. In each match, the low handicap players for each team compete at match play, while the high handicap players for each team compete in like manner. In the event that two or three members of a team have the same handicap, it must be clearly understood before the match starts which member will play against the low handicap player of the other team, and which member will play against the high handicap player of the other team. In the event of a dispute, a flip of a coin shall be used to determine who plays whom. Scoring will be based on Match and Medal play, total of two points per golfer plus one point for the lowest team Net score (see item 7) in the match. (a) Individual Match play; Most holes won = 1 point. If holes won are tied after 9 holes 1/2 point each. (b) Individual Medal play; Lower Net Score = 1 point. (Lower Net Score = Gross Score Minus Handicap). If tied after 9 holes 1/2 point each. Each player should keep his/her own score. There will be a 9 stroke maximum in force for league play (except during the playoffs and sponsored tournaments). Players must pick up their ball after 9 strokes (NOT 9 swings) and a 9 must be recorded on the card. (c) Low team Net score for the match = 1 point. If tied after 9 holes 1/2 point each. In match play, the handicap of one opponent will be netted against that of his/her opponent. The net strokes received by one of the two opponents will then be allocated to the holes, by the handicap order established on the scorecards. By doing this prior to actual play, the winner of each hole can be determined immediately after play on the hole which has been completed. Match captains will sign the match scorecards of their opponents, complete the necessary team and individual scoring information and sign the scorecards. The scores must be recorded on the club website that evening, not later than noon the following day. It is the responsibility of each team captain to assure that this action is taken. Teams failing to submit results by noon the following day will be penalized 1/2 win points off their team standing. Match captains shall pass one signed card to the team captain, who shall retain a set of signed match cards until the close of the season, in case a need arises and the Rules or Handicap Committees need them. Team Scoring will be based on a 2 point per player system, plus one team point, making a total of 5 points for a single team match. If multiple matches are scheduled (ie. Playoffs) Team Scoring will be based on a 2 point per player system, plus one team point, making a total of 7 points for three players, 9 points for four players, etc. League Standings will be determined by the cumulative total of all Match, Medal, and Team points earned during the regular season minus any team penalties. Ties in the League standings (for Position Rounds) based on the percentage of points won per match will be settled by the team head-to-head results during the season. If a tie still exists, season total Match Points Won, then season total Medal Points Won, and then season total Team Points Won. Ties in the League standings (end of regular season before Playoffs) based on the percentage of points won per match will be settled by the team head-to-head results during the season. If a tie still exists, season total Match Points Won, then season total Medal Points Won, and then season total Team Points Won. If a tie still exists for first place or the last qualifying position (if all teams aren't scheduled for the playoffs), it will be settled by a playoff match. Team standings each week will show the win-loss record, the total team points played, and the percentage of points won per match. Each playoff match will be played over nine holes, with the same format as regular season matches. The winner of each playoff match will be decided on the basis of the highest aggregate match and medal points for all groups representing each team and with one point for lowest team net score. If a tie occurs in the playoff match, the winner will be determined in the following manner: (a) The team with the lowest aggregate net strokes for the competitive round played. (b) The highest aggregate match points, compared on a hole-by-hole basis, in the handicap order established on the score card (starting with the number one handicap hole) until a winner is determined. C. Forfeit Rule Failure of one member of a team to appear for a match by 30 minutes after the previously arranged start time (according to the clock in the clubhouse) shall constitute forfeiture (unless a substitute can be found). In this case, the player gaining the forfeiture will receive 2 points. A Scorecard must be handed in marked "FORFEIT" with the player signing the card and his/her opponent's name. In the event of a forfeit, the player present must play his/her 9 holes and turn in a Scorecard. The round will count as one played to be eligible for the playoffs. See III G. Playoffs # 1 and # 3. The missing player will be assessed a net score of 60 to determine the lowest team net score. If a team forfeits all points two (2) times, it may be dropped from the league, at the discretion of the Rules Committee. In this event, team members may continue to play as noncompetitive players. D. Substitutes A substitute with an established handicap from a team other than the opposing team may be used (except for Playoffs). A minimum of one team member must represent each team in each scheduled match. E. Incomplete Matches With the exception of the darkness rule (covered in Section III-F below) the following circumstances will automatically cancel a match in progress and cause it to be rescheduled, with the same players if possible, from the point of the last hole completed. This rescheduling will be done by the team captains at their earliest convenience, but must be completed prior to the next position round (if any are on the schedule). (a) Injury or obvious illness. (b) Serious personal occurrences communicated to a player on the course. (c) Mutual agreement of the match captains. If a cancelled match cannot be completed prior to the next position round (if any are on the schedule), the Rules Committee will decide the position round match pairings. If the match is not completed because one of the two participating teams does not desire to finish the round, the following "75 percent rule" will be applied by the Rules Committee: (a) If at least 75 percent of the other matches started that day are completed, the forfeiture rule (Section III, C) will be extended to the team desirous of completing the match. (b) If less than 75 percent of the starting matches are completed, the match will be cancelled and rescheduled with the same players, from the point of the last hole completed. This rescheduling will be done by the team captains at their earliest convenience, but must be completed prior to the next position round (if any are on the schedule). If at least 7 holes have been completed in 1 & 2 above, players have the option to use the USGA rule to 'Post Scores for at least 7 out of 9 holes played' since it is very difficult to continue matches on the 8th or 9th hole on a different day with the same players. There is a write-up under the 'TIPS' section for Posting Scores. F. Darkness Rule Before teeing off on the 7th hole, the match captains must agree to either complete or cancel the match. If the match captains agree to cancel the match, it will be postponed and rescheduled with the same players, from the point of the last hole completed. This rescheduling will be done by the respective team captains at their earliest convenience, but must be completed prior to the next position round (if any are on the schedule). If the match captains agree that the match can be finished, all 9 holes must be completed. There will be no prorating of hole scores. If the captains cannot reach an agreement, the match will continue. G. Playoffs No substitutes will be allowed in playoff matches. The first four teams at the end of the regular season will participate in the playoffs. The playoffs will consist of two (2) rounds. Each team participating in a playoff round will field a minimum of three eligible golfers with an established USGA Handicap Index listed on the website. Each team will compete in a match with a format described below. It will be optional for each team to field more than three golfers. The number of golfers competing in each playoff match will be decided by agreement of the team captains. It is expected that both teams will make every effort to field the largest number of golfers feasible, so as to make each playoff match truly representative of the entire team. A team unable to field three players will forfeit 2 match points for each missing player and will also be assessed a net score of 60 for each player missing. Each playoff match will be played over nine holes, with the same format as regular season matches except that the 9-stroke maximum is waived for the playoffs ; YOU MUST PLAY UNTIL THE BALL GOES IN THE HOLE. The winner of each playoff round will be decided on the basis of the highest aggregate match and medal points for all groups representing each team, plus one point for lowest team net score. The playoffs will consist of two rounds. In the first playoff round, the first place team will play the fourth and the second place team will play the third place team. The winners of the first round will meet to decide the league championship, to be played prior to the league's fall tournament. When a tie occurs in any playoff round, the winner will be determined in the following manner: (a) The team with the lowest aggregate net strokes for the competitive round played. (b) The highest aggregate match points, compared on a hole-by-hole basis, in the handicap order established on the score card (starting with the number one handicap hole) until a winner is determined. (c) If there is still a tie, the teams are co-champions (final round only). The scores recorded in each playoff match will be used for handicap purposes. IV. RULES OF PLAY:    Back to Top A. General The current USGA Stroke Play Rules, with the exceptions and changes discussed below will govern play. Although two fundamental principles of golf are: (a) play the course as you find it, and (b) play the ball as it lies, adverse conditions (notably limited time to complete an evening's play and periodic programs of course renovation and improvements) seem to justify reasonable modification of these requirements and some of the rules, in order to promote fair and pleasant play (See IV E). B. Rule Violations Infractions of the LEAGUE rules must be called on the hole on which they occur; no recognition will be made of claims made after start of next hole or, in case of the last hole, five minutes after completion of that hole. C. Agreement If agreement cannot be reached at the time of occurrence, the alleged infraction should be noted and submitted in writing, signed by both match captains, to the Rules Committee, by 3:30 P.M. of the Tuesday following the disputed round. D. Winter Rules All play will be governed by the Rules of Golf. Occasional abnormal conditions, which might interfere with fair play and are not widespread, will be defined as ground under repair by the Golf Course management. The EACMA Golf League does not play Winter Rules except under rare extreme circumstances. Under adverse conditions, the Rules Committee reserves the right to declare "Winter Rules" to be in effect for the day's play. In this event, the following rules will be in effect. A ball may be moved, either with the club head, or placed without penalty, six inches from where it originally lay, not nearer the hole, only under any of the following conditions: The ball must be in the fairway of the hole you are currently playing. If the line of the fairway is not clearly marked, you and any of your opponents may resolve the point. If the opponent indicates the ball rests in the fairway, you may exercise the relief, otherwise you must hit the ball where it lies. The six-inch rule may also be waived, only if your opponent agrees, if the area surrounding the place where the ball lies is devoid of grass. This additional waiver is intended to include only those areas that are either roadway or hardpan. A ball which ends its flight by becoming "plugged" in the fairway you are currently playing, whether found or not, will also qualify under the six inch rule. If the ball is found, it may be lifted, cleaned, and dropped at the spot it was found. If not found, drop a ball in the approximate spot it landed, with no penalty. A ball that ends its flight by becoming "plugged" in the adjacent fairway, must be found to qualify for this relief. Otherwise, USGA Rule 27 applies. In any event, the relief of being able to move the ball without penalty should not in any way improve the player's line of sight or relative position to the hole that he/she is playing. E. Ball Lost, Out-of-Bounds, or Unplayable USGA Rule 27 has been expanded, as defined below, for the sole purpose of speeding up play. All references in the USGA Rules of Golf to the phrase, "... under penalty of stroke and distance (Rule 27-2) ..." will be interpreted to mean the modified USGA Rule 27 defined here.  For the purposes of League play, the following points will apply: If you suspect that a ball may be lost outside a water hazard, or be out-of-bounds, or be unplayable, you may elect to play a provisional ball (Rule 27-2). After playing a stroke and proceeding forward, a player may not, under any circumstances, invoke a rule that results in his returning to where the ball was last played, in order to play his next stroke. Due to the condition of the Meadows, a ball lying in a footprint in a sand trap may be lifted and the foot print smoothed out. The ball will be replaced - no penalty strokes. USGA RULE 27: BALL LOST, OUT-OF-BOUNDS, OR UNPLAYABLE  (See IV E for league modifications to speed play) 1. Lost or Out-of-bounds a. If a ball be lost outside a water hazard or be out-of-bounds, the player shall either: (i) Play his next stroke as nearly as possible at the spot from which the original ball was played or moved by him, adding a penalty stroke to his score for the hole. If the original stroke was played from the teeing ground, a ball may be teed anywhere within the teeing ground; if from through the green or a hazard, it shall be dropped; if on the putting green, it shall be placed. (Ball lost in casual water, ground under repair, etc. - Rule 25-1). OR, (ii) Drop a ball within two (2) club-lengths of the point in the original fairway which is: No nearer the hole (see "Plain Language" option), and Closest to the point where the ball was deemed to be lost or passed out-of-bounds, and Add two (2) penalty strokes to his score b. Ascertaining Location A player has the right at any time, of ascertaining whether his opponent's ball is out-of-bounds. A person outside the match may point out the location of a ball for which a search is being made. c. Standing Out-of-bounds A player may stand out-of-bounds to play a ball lying within bounds. 2. Unplayable a. Player Sole Judge The player is the sole judge as to whether his ball is unplayable. It may be declared unplayable at any place on the course except in a water hazard (Rule 28). b. Procedure If the player deems his ball to be unplayable, he shall either: (i) Play his next stroke as nearly as possible to the spot from which the original ball was played or moved by him, adding a penalty stroke to his score for the hole. If the original stroke was played from the teeing ground, a ball may be teed anywhere within the teeing ground; if from through the green or a hazard, it shall be dropped; if on the putting green, it shall be placed. (Ball lost in casual water, ground under repair, etc. - Rule 25-1). OR, (ii) Drop a ball, under penalty of one stroke, either (a) within two club-lengths of the point where the ball lay, but not nearer the hole, or (b) behind the point where the ball lay, keeping that point between himself and the hole, with no limit to how far behind that point that the ball may be dropped; if the ball lay in a bunker and the player elects to proceed under this Clause (ii) a ball must be dropped in the bunker. (Ball in casual water, etc. - Rule 25-1). (Ball unfit for play - Rule 28). OR, (iii) Drop a ball within two (2) club-lengths of the point in the original fairway, which is: No nearer the hole (see "Plain Language" option), and Closest to the point where the ball lay, and Add two (2) penalty strokes to his score. PENALTY FOR BREACH OF RULE Match play - loss of hole; Medal play - two strokes. F. Course Definition and Local Rules The course definition and local rules defined by the Meadows Golf Club are in effect at all times. G. Optional Rules New Member’s  matching A new member must have a USGA Handicap Index prior to playing in a League match. The new member may bring a USGA Handicap Index established at another club or shall submit a minimum of five 18 hole cards to this club. Putting Green In the interest of saving time, it is suggested that a waiver of ordinary rules of play should be made on the putting green. The person furthest from the hole should putt first and continue putting until the ball is in the hole, with others following in sequence. Time spent in marking balls is thus avoided. If in the sequence of putting, the putter must stand in another player's line; he/she should mark the ball and continue in normal sequence. Drop Areas 6th & 9th Holes – The designated Drop Areas may be used as an additional option with those allowed for Lateral Water Hazards by USGA Rules and apply for any shot entering the water on holes 6 & 9 (the Meadows has stated that ALL the water hazards on the course are considered lateral water hazards under the Rules - see WATER HAZARD (USGA 26-1) in our Rules for other lateral water hazard options). H. Unresolved Questions Lastly, the foregoing descriptions of the Rules of Play cover only the situations most likely to cause concern in our league. Other puzzling situations can be resolved by mutual agreement of the opponents, by checking the rules, or by referring them to the Rules Committee, in that order. I. Match Play Tournament Rules ELIGIBILITY: Golfers must have an established USGA handicap.  The USGA maximum handicap index of 36.4 for Men and 40.4 for Women is in effect for this tournament (converts to max handicap of 19 for Men and 21 for Women).  All matches MUST be completed ON or BEFORE the scheduled date. The ONLY exception to this rule is if the Meadows is closed because of inclement weather; if this occurs, then the scheduled date for completion might be extended by one week. Rounds 1 and 2 may be determined by matching cards; Round 3 and later MUST be played head-to-head. Matched cards should be for the same day and for the same nine. A match winner is determined by the rules of match play on a hole by hole basis with one point awarded to the clear winner of the hole after applying the handicaps. The NINE-STROKE rule is WAIVED for this tournament.  In the event of a tie after playing nine holes, the winner will be determined based upon the following Sudden Death Rules: a) Head-To-Head play: The sudden death must be played the same day by continuing play on the first hole played that day (or the other nine if necessary). Play will continue hole by hole until a winner is decided. Normal hole handicapping will apply. If it's not possible to continue the match that day due to circumstances beyond the players control (e.g. lightning or serious/severe weather conditions, the starter not being able to allow play due to other commitments, player illness, etc.), it can be continued on another day within the deadline for that round, otherwise the sudden death results will be decided by comparing holes (starting with either hole #1 or #10 of whichever nine was played) until a winner is determined. No player shall depart the course without first finalizing and agreeing to the results. If a player departs the course and the match is later determined to be a tie, then the player first departing the course will forfeit the match. b) Matched cards: The sudden death results will be decided by comparing holes (starting with either hole #1 or #10 of whichever nine was played) until a winner is determined. The name listed on the "top" of the pairing bracket of the match play tournament sheet has responsibility for contacting the opponent and scheduling the match; but both players are responsible for completing the match on time. Players should advise opponents of dates that each is not available to play so a mutually convenient date can be arranged. Match play need not be played on a League date or at the Meadows Golf Club. As long as the match is completed by the scheduled date, it may be played on any date and any course that the players mutually agree to. A forfeit (FF) will occur when either a player concedes the match prior to the last date for play or ONE of the two players does not show up for a scheduled match On or BY the last date for play. The sign-in sheet will be the determining factor for no-shows. If a match is not played by the scheduled date and the forfeit rules do not apply, then the results will be determined by two golf league officers tossing a coin (CT) to determine which player progresses. Match results must be reported to the Tournament Director and Statistician on the day the match is played. If the results haven't been reported ON or BY the last date for play, then the results will be determined by two golf league officers tossing a coin (CT) to determine which player progresses. The Golf League Chairperson reserves the right to settle any circumstances pertaining to this tournament which are not covered by the above rules. SOME "PLAIN LANGUAGE" COMMENTS ON THE RULES      Back to Top LOST BALL A ball is lost if you cannot find it and you assume it is on the golf course property (not out-of-bounds) and not in a water hazard. This includes in a fairway, in the rough, or in the woods. The USGA rule for a lost ball is "stroke and distance"; that is, you go back to where you hit it (lose "distance") add a penalty stroke ("stroke") and hit it again. In our league, we have an alternative to stroke and distance, since we cannot afford the time to walk back to where a ball was hit. The decision to invoke the alternative must be made when the original ball was hit. By leaving the hitting area without hitting a provisional ball, you can only use our alternative to "stroke and distance" if indeed a penalty is needed (i.e., the ball is really lost). Loosely worded, our alternative is: if a ball is lost in the rough or in the woods, you bring it to the nearest fairway area (your own fairway), and add two penalty strokes. If a ball is lost in your own fairway, drop a ball as close as possible to the point where you thought the ball was lost, and add two penalty strokes (except for Winter Rule IV D).  If you hit into a berm or into the woods on the left of 7, it's not too hard to figure out where to drop: opposite the berm, opposite where the ball hooked into the trees and disappeared. The problem is if the shot is a really short one. You can always hit again if you are still on the tee and you elect to hit a provisional ball. But you are allowed to walk forward to get to the beginning of the fairway to make your drop. Take number 8 for example: a poor tee shot might travel 40 yards and get lost in the heavy grass to the left, but well short of the water. You could walk up to the edge of the fairway and then drop, lying 3. You do not have to drop in the neighborhood of where the ball disappeared and have a tough shot out of the rough over the edge of the water, also lying 3. Note that if you suspect the ball might be lost, e.g., you saw it disappear into the woods, you could have hit a provisional ball. The scoring with the provisional ball would have included a penalty stroke addition, since you already have paid the "distance" penalty by hitting it from the same place you hit the original ball. If you get to where you thought the original ball was lost and you find it, just pick up the provisional and play the original with no penalty. If the original is indeed lost, you continue to play the provisional ball, having already incurred a penalty stroke and distance penalty on that ball. OUT-OF-BOUNDS Out-of-bounds is also a stroke and distance penalty in the USGA rules. If it's clear that a ball is out-of-bounds when you hit it, hit another ball, after adding a penalty stroke (i.e., stroke and distance). If you are not sure the original ball is out-of-bounds, you may hit a provisional ball, which is the same as the above, except that if the original ball is found in bounds, you can pick up the provisional with no penalty. If you have not hit a provisional and get to a ball and find that it is out-of-bounds, you invoke our "stroke and distance" alternative which, for out-of-bounds, is to place it in your fairway not nearer the hole than where the ball went out-of-bounds (not where it lands) and add two penalty strokes. UNPLAYABLE LIE In the rough or woods, we do not normally move the ball. If it is truly unplayable (e.g., up against a tree) the player has an option, according to the USGA, of: a. Dropping the ball within two club-lengths of the unplayable spot (but not closer to the hole) and adding one penalty stroke, or taking it back on a line drawn between the flag and where the ball is, and adding one penalty stroke. b. Our old friend, "stroke and distance", where we invoke the alternative which says to bring the ball to your own fairway not nearer the hole (see note below) than where the ball is deemed unplayable and add two penalty strokes. For an unplayable lie in the rough, you can usually invoke Option "a". However, in the woods (and not out-of-bounds) it may be such that you still don't have a shot within two club-lengths, in which case you take it out of the woods into the fairway, not getting closer to the hole (see note below), and add two penalty strokes. Note: For option "b." our League allows a player to walk forward only when necessary to get to the beginning of the fairway to drop a ball and then add two penalty strokes (example under "Plain Language" Lost Ball rule). WATER HAZARD (USGA 26-1) The Meadows has stated that all the water hazards on the course are considered lateral hazards under the Rules. Under penalty of one stroke, a player may: a) Before proceeding, play a ball as nearly as possible at the spot the original ball was last played, b) Drop a ball behind the water hazard, keeping the point at which the original ball last crossed the margin of the hazard directly between the hole and the spot where the ball is dropped with no limit on how far behind the hazard the ball may be dropped, c) As additional options available for lateral hazards, the ball may be dropped either within two club-lengths of where the original ball last crossed the margin of the water hazard or a point on the opposite margin of the water hazard equidistant from the hole. The ball cannot come to rest at a point NEARER the hole than where the original ball last crossed the margin of the water hazard. CASUAL WATER, GROUND UNDER REPAIR For casual water (puddles, flooded areas) or ground under repair, the Rules of Golf allow a free lift (no penalty) to the nearest point not nearer the hole that doesn't substantially change the nature of the shot. Note that this holds in the fairway, in the rough, in the woods, or in a trap. In a trap, you have to drop in the trap. It doesn't matter if the ball is lost under these conditions - still no penalty and a free drop. LEAGUE TEES For all League matches the Men will play from the White Tees and the Ladies will play from the Red Tees. RAILROAD TIES When a ball lies on or so close to a railroad tie that it interferes with a player’s stance or intended swing, the player may obtain relief, without penalty, by lifting the ball and dropping it within one club-length of and not nearer the hole than the nearest point of relief which is not in a hazard or on the putting green. The ball may be cleaned when lifted. FENCE BY THE 9TH GREEN A ball coming to rest close to the fence on the left-hand side of the green so that the fence interferes with the player’s stance or swing may obtain relief without penalty. The ball may be lifted and dropped no closer to the hole at a spot as close to the original position as possible so that the stance or swing are no longer interfered. This will likely result in the ball being moved in the direction of the parking lot to a position no closer to the hole than for the original shot. SLOW PLAY In an effort to maintain the pace of play, the lowest handicap player in each match will be responsible for keeping the match moving. There is a write-up under the 'TIPS' section about pace of play and the Pace Captain’s job will be to remind us when we are not applying the common sense steps to keep moving. For example an important "common sense step" relates to keeping track of the time spent in looking for lost balls around hazards, in berms, etc. The Pace Captain should strictly limit this to 5 minutes. Back to Top