Grand Haven Mens Golf Assoc.

MGA/GH Local Rules

Local Rules for Grand Haven Golf Club
 
New Scoring Policy            Out of Bounds Policy
 
 
 
 
 
Grand Haven Local Rules Reviewed and Approved by the Club Competition Committee, October 12, 2021
Hole #3
If uncertain as to whether the tee shot is in the lateral water hazard lying between the tee and the fairway, a provisional ball may be played from the tee or dropped in the designated drop area. If the original ball is found in the hazard, the player may either play the ball as it lies or continue with the ball played provisionally.
 
Hole #7
If uncertain as to whether the tee shot has been lost in the lateral water hazard lying between the tee and the fairway, a provisional ball may be played before going forward to search for the original.

Hole #8
As an additional option for a ball entering the water hazard a player may under penalty of one stroke use the Ball Drop Area even though the ball drop area may be nearer the hole than the point where the ball last crossed the margin of the water hazard. Additionally, if it is uncertain whether a ball has entered the hazard on the far side of the green, a provisional ball may be put into play before going forward to search for the ball.
 
Holes #10 and #18
The out-of-bounds stakes between holes #10 and #18 only apply for the play of hole #10. Stakes are deemed immovable obstructions during the play of the 18th hole.
 
Holes #12 and #16
The coquina area between the holes separated by the cart path is defined as a waste area.

Hole #16
The inside edge of the Community walk path is considered out-of-bounds.

Misc.
Stones in bunkers are considered movable obstructions (Rule 24-1 applies).
Players are entitled to relief from storm drains in their own fairway. Relief is stance and swing relief and one club length no nearer the hole.
 
GHMGA Only Local Rules (for Wednesday GHMGA play only)
 
Root Rule: If a ball comes to rest on or near a root that will interfere with a player’s swing and thereby cause him injury or damage his club, the player may without penalty lift and place the ball at the nearest point of relief no nearer the hole while remaining in the same condition as before (rough to rough, sand to sand, or fairway to fairway).

Exception: Free root relief is not allowed when playing the ball as it lies is clearly unreasonable because of something other than a root (for example when a player is unable to make a normal stroke primarily because of the presence of the tree). The spirit of the rule is that if in the absence of roots you would take an unplayable, you should do so. 

Divot Rule: If a ball comes to rest in an unrepaired or sand filled divot, the player may without penalty lift and place the ball at the nearest point of relief no nearer the hole while remaining in the same condition as before (fairway to fairway or rough to rough).

Bunker Rule: If a bunker has not been prepared for whatever reasons: recent rain, not a scheduled grounds crew bunker prep day, animal or footprints, the player may without penalty lift his ball, rake, and replace his ball at the same location or nearest point of relief no nearer the hole. Please note that there is no free relief for a ball plugged or embedded in a bunker. 
 
Hole#7-If the tee shot has been lost in the lateral water hazard lying between the tee and the fairway, the player may elect with a one stroke penalty to drop a ball on the green teeing ground and play his third shot.  

Distance-Measuring Devices:
A player may obtain distance information by using a device that measures distance only. However, a player is prohibited the use of a distance-measuring device that is capable of gauging or measuring other conditions that might affect play, even if such a function is not used (e.g., gradient, wind-speed, temperature, etc.). If used the player is in breach of Rule 14-3, for which the penalty is disqualification, regardless of whether any such additional functions are actually used."