Here are some reminders about U.S.G.A rules and local rules which govern the Junior League.
Out of Bounds
If your ball is out of bounds you must replay your shot from the original spot under penalty of one stroke. Play a provisional if you think your ball may be OB. See exception below for hole #6.
- On or beyond any paved surface is out of bounds.
- The fencing on holes #2, #3 also define out of bounds. The OB ends where the fence ends and reverts to the road at that point.
- Left of the rocks on #2 is NOT out of bounds.
- Hole #6 – white stakes define out of bounds. Under penalty of 1 stroke, use the drop area adjacent to fence on hole #5 if your ball is OB on #6 from the tee.
NO Preferred Lies
Prior to Twin Springs installing an irrigation system preferred lies were a necessary part of the game. This is no longer the case, and we have some of the best fairways around. Therefore to eliminate any misunderstanding and return your game to its roots, there will be NO preferred lies. Therefore, keep your hands off the balls. Do not move the ball to clean it, do not touch the ball to identify it without approval of your opponent.
- Penalty – any player who breaks this rule is eliminated from the hole. His partner is not eliminated however.
Lost Ball
If you lose your ball you MUST under penalty of one stroke replay the shot from, as close as you can approximate, the spot of the original shot. If you believe your shot may be lost you may play a provisional ball after the rest of your group has hit to keep your pace of play. If your original ball is found, pick up your provisional.
Unplayable Lie
You have three options if you declare your ball unplayable, all of which include a penalty of 1 stroke. (1) Replay the shot from its original position. (2) Drop within two club lengths no closer to the hole. (3) Visualize a line between the unplayable ball and the hole and drop your ball anywhere behind the original ball on the extension of that line as far back as you want. You can NOT simply drop a ball in fairway and take a 1 stroke penalty.
Water Hazard (yellow stakes)
You have three options. Play the ball as it lies with no penalty, remembering to not ground your club. Second option is to replay that shot from the original position with one stroke penalty. Third option with one stroke penalty is to visualize a line from the hole and the point where the ball crossed the margin of the hazard and drop the ball anywhere along the extension of the line with no limit to distance.
- In the absence of stakes or paint then the natural boundary of the hazard is considered the water line. Ask your opponent if you are unsure for a judgment about whether your ball is in the hazard or not
- If your ball is embedded with the water hazard you do NOT get to remove the ball and drop it, unless you taking a 1 shot penalty in which case you must drop the ball outside of the hazard.
Lateral Hazard (red stakes)
You have the same three options as a water hazard plus two others, both of which require a penalty of 1 stroke.. (1) drop your ball within two clublengths of where your ball last crossed the margin of the hazard and take a one stroke penalty. (2) Drop your ball within two clublengths of the point equidistant from the hole on the opposite margin of the hazard. Rain Outs
Only the golf shop can cancel matches due to weather.
Disputes
Any rules questions should be brought in to the golf shop for a ruling. If you are unsure how to proceed on the course, play a second ball to complete the hole until the ruling can be made.
Scoring
Each week format will be different to introduce league players to different styles of golf matches. However, each player will be placed on a six-man team that will compete collectively each week.
