• General:
  • The golf ball is to be played as it lies; you cannot improve your lie. When the player’s ball comes to rest, they must accept the conditions affecting the stroke and not improve them before playing the ball.
  • Free relief is allowed when the ball is in the general area and there is interference by an abnormal course condition. Relief applies to animal holes, ground under repair, immovable obstructions, or temporary water. Consult opponent(s) before taking relief.
  • Confirm opponent’s score every hole and at the end of the round. Scorecards are the official scoring method.
  • Scorecards will be pre‑marked with handicap stroke holes. Communicate gross and net scores and record net scores on the card.
  • Any dispute must be resolved on the course. Only unresolved disputes may be reviewed afterward.
  • If a bunker lie is heavily compacted, rake‑and‑place is allowed within the bunker. If unplayable, ball may be moved outside the bunker within one club length, no closer to the hole. Consult the group before taking relief.
  • A ball is lost if not found within three minutes of searching.
• Match Play (Singles):
  • Match play is head‑to‑head. You win a hole by completing it in fewer strokes.
  • You win the match when you are ahead by more holes than remain.
  • Tied holes do not change the match score.
  • You may concede a stroke, hole, or match at any time.
  • 100% of handicap is used. The difference determines how many holes receive strokes, starting with the hardest hole.
• Four‑Ball:
  • Two players per team play their own ball; four balls are in play.
  • The lowest score on each team counts. The lowest team score wins the hole
  • Tied holes do not change the match score.
  • 90% of handicap is used. Handicaps are played off the low player, who becomes 0. Others are reduced by the same amount.
• Penalty Areas (Red/Yellow):
  • If a ball might be lost outside a penalty area or OB, play a provisional.
  • In a penalty area, you may play the ball as it lies or take penalty relief.
  • Relief options (1‑stroke):
    • Lateral relief: drop within 2 club lengths of entry point, no closer to the hole.
    • Stroke‑and‑distance: replay from previous spot (use only if provisional was hit).
    • Back‑on‑the‑line: drop behind the penalty area keeping entry point on the line.
• Out of Bounds (White Stakes):
  • If a ball might be OB, play a provisional.
  • If lost or OB, replay from previous spot (stroke‑and‑distance). Use only if provisional was hit.
  • To save time, lateral relief with a 2‑stroke penalty is allowed: drop within 2 club lengths of where the ball crossed OB.
• Provisional Ball:
  • A provisional must be abandoned if the original ball is found.
  • A provisional becomes the ball in play when the original is lost OR when the provisional is played from a spot nearer the hole than the estimated location of the original.
• Dropping:
  • The ball must be dropped straight down from knee height and must land in the relief area.
  • If it rolls out of the relief area, drop again. If it happens twice, place the ball where it first struck the ground on the second drop.
  • Relief area rules:
    • Penalty area relief: reference point is where the ball crossed; relief area is 2 club lengths.
    • Back‑on‑the‑line: reference point is where the ball first hits the ground; relief area is 1 club length.
    • Out of bounds lateral relief: relief area is 2 club lengths.
    • Abnormal course conditions: reference point is nearest point of complete relief; relief area is 1 club length.