Southern Fairways Golf Tour Rules Sheet

Local Rules for Tour Championship at Gulf Shores GC

1. An announcement will be made before tee time about whether we will play the ball down or lift, clean and place.

2. Putt out for bogey or less.

3. All Penalty Areas are played as RED.

4. Play from the WHITE TEES. Seniors will play the TEAL TEES.

5. PLAY READY GOLF. The goal is to finish in 4.5 hours or less.

6. One player per group must keep live scoring.

OUT OF BOUNDS: Defined by White Stakes, property line boundaries, ornamental fencing, and fence posts at ground level.  NOTE TO PLAYERS: *The Southern Fairways Golf Tour, does not allow a player to return to the previous spot for a ball that is lost or out of bounds.  A ball that may be lost or Out of Bounds area, it is advisable that the player, play a Provisional Ball, prior to moving forward.  This Local Rules is implemented to help speed play.

Penalty Areas: An area from which relief with a one-stroke penalty is allowed if the player’s ball comes to rest there.  A penalty area is:

• Any body of water on the course (whether or not marked by the Committee), including a sea, lake, pond, river, ditch, surface drainage ditch or other open watercourse (even if not containing water), and
• Any other part of the course the Committee defines as a penalty area.
• All penalty areas are treated as “Red”.
• When the edge of a body of water is not defined by the Committee, the edge of that penalty areais defined by its natural boundaries (that is, where the ground slopes down to form the depression that can hold the water).
• Bulk heads, retaining walls, are deemed inside the boundaries of the penalty area. (No Relief).
• “If a player’s ball is in the penalty area including when it is known or virtually certain  to be in that penalty area, even though not found, the player has these relief options, each for one penalty stroke:
• The player may take relief under Rule 17.1, 
• As an additional option, the player may use the  “Red/Ladies Forward Teeing Ground” as a drop zone.

Penalty Area Drop Procedures

2024 SFGT Rules Sheet

SECTION 1- LOCAL RULES:

The ball shall be played as it lies, unless otherwise specified and amended by the Committee prior to the start of the round. If appropriate the Committee may adopt Model Rule E-3 Preferred Lies: Occasional local abnormal conditions might interfere with fair play, the affected parts of the course can be defined as ground under repair. But adverse conditions such as prolonged rains or extreme heat can sometimes damage the course or prevent use of heavy mowing equipment. When such conditions are widespread on the course, the Committee can choose to adopt a Local Rule for “preferred lies” (also known as “winter rules”) to allow fair play or help protect the fairway.  

The Committee shall:

·  Announce the specified areas of relief.

·  Announce the specified size area of relief.  (Typically One Scorecard Length)

·  The placement of the ball shall not be closer to the hole.

·   The player shall choose a spot to place the ball.

·   The ball is not in play until a stroke has been attempted with the intent to strike.

1. USE OF SPECIFIC EQUIPMENT:

• Rule4-1 (b): Is in effect (no more than 14 clubs in the bag.)
• The “One Ball Rule” is not in effect.
• Distance Measuring Devices (DMD) will be allowed.
• Rule 4.1b(3) is in effect: (If a player’s club is “broken or significantly damaged” during the round by the player except in cases of abuse, the player may replace the club with any club.

2. OUT OF BOUNDS: Rule 18.2. Defined by course-side points of white stakes, perimeter fence posts/fencing/walls at ground level, course-side edge of roadways and curbings, and white lines tying into any boundary. 
3. PENALTY AREAS: Rule 17. Defined by Red Lines and designated by Red Stakes. Red penalty areas with an opposite side relief option will be indicated on the applicable “Supplemental Rules of Play” with Model Local Rule B-2.1. Note: When the edge of a red penalty area coincides with the boundary of the course, Model Local Rule B-2.2 is in effect and amends the first paragraph of Model Local Rule B-2.1.

• USGA by definition: “When the edge of a body of water is not defined (No Lines and No Stakes) by the Committee, the edge of that penalty area is defined by its natural boundaries (that is, where the ground slopes down to form the depression that can hold the water).”
• Dropping Zones shall be specified by the Committee on the Supplemental Rules/Notice to Players Sheet. The ball must be dropped in the drop zone and shall come to rest within the drop zone. Model Local Rules E-1.1

4. RULE – E-5 Alternative to Stroke and Distance for Lost Ball or Ball Out of Bounds: Unless specified on the “Supplemental Rules of Play”, this local rule is NOT in effect.  A BALL LOST or OUT OF BOUNDS– Rule 18-2: A ball is lost if not found in three (3) minutes after the player begins to search for it. This includes a reasonable time to get to the ball if the player is not where the ball is found.  If there is a question about whether a ball may be LOST or OUT OF BOUNDS, the player should play a PROVISIONAL BALL. If the player does not hit a provisional ball and the original ball is not found or is OUT OF BOUNDS, the player is not allowed to go back to hit another ball.  Stroke And Distance Option has been cancelled to help speed the pace of play.
5. EMBEDDED BALL: Rule 16.3. Relief is allowed only when a player’s ball is embedded in the general area and a putting green.
6. DANGEROUS ANIMAL CONDITION: Rule 16.2 – Danger exists when a dangerous animal (Poisonous snakes, stinging bees, alligators, fire ants) near a ball could cause serious physical injury to the player.  The nearest point of complete relief means the nearest point not nearer the hole where the dangerous animal condition does not exist.

7. ABNORMAL COURSE CONDITIONS:

• White-lined areas (except designated dropping zones).
• French drains (trenches filled with rocks or stones).
• Newly trenched areas, even if not marked.
• Aeriation holes in General Area or on Putting Green – Model Local Rule E-4. General area, a ball may be dropped; On the putting green, a ball shall be placed.
• Seams of cut turf, for lie of ball or area of intended swing ONLY, not for a player’s stance. All seams within the area of cut turf are treated as the same seam in taking relief under Rule 16.1b.
• Model Local Rule F-7 is in effect, i.e., Painted lines or dots on the putting green or in a part of the general area cut to fairway height or less are to be treated as ground under repair from which relief is allowed under Rule 16.1 (for example, putting green reference dots, yardage distance markings, etc.) for lie of ball or area of intended swing ONLY. Model Local Rule F-21.1 is in effect.
• White-lined areas of ground under repair and the roads or paths they tie into are treated as a single abnormal course condition when taking relief under Rule 16.1. Model Local Rule F-3.1 is in effect.
• Damage, including the hole, made by a movable obstruction may be treated as ground under repair by the Committee (but no relief for stance).

9. INTEGRAL OBJECTS:

• Retaining walls and pilings when located within penalty areas.
• Tree wrappings, and lightning rods when closely attached to trees.
• Bunker Liners exposed, shall be treated as ground under repair for the lie of the ball, but not for the player’s stance.

10. WOOD CHIPS: Wood chips around the bases of trees are loose impediments.
11. TEMPORARY WATER ON A PUTTING GREEN: Model Local Rule J-2 is in effect. If temporary water exists on the putting green the Committee may:

• Squeegee the putting green until the players are near the putting green; or,
• Squeegee the line of play when the player’s ball lies on the green; or,
• Allow the player to proceed under Rule 16.1d; (Maximum Available Relief.
• Or any combination

12. IMMOVABLE OBSTRUCTION NEAR THE PUTTING GREEN: Model Local Rule F-5 is in effect and is modified as follows for a ball in the general area, relief is allowed only when the obstruction:

• Is on the line of play, and is:
• Within two club-lengths of the putting green, and
• Within two club-lengths of the ball. When both the ball and the immovable obstruction lie in an area cut to fairway height or less

13. STOPPING PLAY AND RESUMING PLAY: Rule 5.7, as modified by Model Local Rule J-1.

• METHODS FOR STOPPING AND RESUMING PLAY: An immediate suspension for a dangerous situation will be signaled by one prolonged siren or horn blast. All other types of suspension will be signaled by several, intermittent horn blasts. Resumption of play will be signaled by two short horn blasts. Penalty for breach – Disqualification.
• PRACTICE AREAS DURING SUSPENSION: During a suspension for a dangerous situation, all practice areas will be closed until the Rules Committee has declared them. open for use. During other suspensions, practice is permitted on designated practice areas.

14. PRACTICE BETWEEN HOLES AT THE PUTTING GREEN OF HOLE JUST COMPLETED PROHIBITED: a. Before or Between Rounds in Stroke Play: Model Local Rule I-1.2 is in effect. A player may practice on the designated practice areas. Rule 5.2b is modified as follows. Players must not practice on the competition course before a round.
15. PACE OF PLAY: Rule 5.6b, Prompt Pace of Play as modified by Model Local Rule K-2 and further by the SFGT Rules Committee. Pace of Play It is our goal to finish the round in 4:15. Please do your best to accomplish this goal. Please play ready golf. If another player is away, but he is not ready, you can play your shot. If you cannot make at least a bogey on a hole, YOU MUST PICK UP. Zero points will be earned on that hole. Players have a maximum of three minutes to look for a lost ball. All players should assist with the search.

SECTION 2- TERMS OF COMPETITION

16. LATE TO THE TEE: A player is late to the Tee once his designated group has teed off. Upon arrival, Player(s) may join the designated group at the tee of the next hole being played. A player(s) shall receive zero (0) points for each hole not completed.

17.  THE SFGT LIVE SCORING APP SHALL BE THE OFFICIAL SCORE FOR ALL PLAYERS. A SCORECARD SHOULD BE RETURNED FOR BACK UP.:   Stroke Play / Modified Stableford. Prior to play, it is the player’s responsibility to attest his point quota with a SFGT Golf Committee Official prior to the start of a round. One player should keep score for the group on the LIVE SCORING APP.  A different player should keep score on the paper scorecard. After each hole during the round, each scorekeeper should confirm the number of strokes on that hole. The LIVE SCORING APP will compute the points earned on each hole. Only the gross score must be entered. The gross score AND the Stableford Points should be entered on the paper scorecard. When the round has ended, all players should validate that the paper scorecard and the LIVE SCORING APP match.

18. It Is Your Responsibility. When the round has ended, that you:

• Carefully check the hole scores and points entered by your marker and raise any issues with the Committee,
• Make sure that your marker certifies the hole scores on the scorecard.
• Must not change a hole score entered by your marker except with the marker’s agreement or the Committee’s approval, and
• Must certify the hole scores and point totals on the scorecard and promptly return it to the Committee, after which you must not change your scorecard.

19. A STIPULATED ROUND OF 18 HOLES SHALL DETERMINE THE WINNERS. In the event of inclement weather or unforeseen suspension of play, and the event must be shortened, the SFGT Committee reserves the right to determine the event completed through “Common Holes played within a Flight”. Every attempt will be made to complete 18-holes.

20. TIES:  Ties will be determined by blind score playoff.

21. A COMPETITION IS FINAL: By the results of Live Scoring App at the scoreboard; winners are announced; trophy has been awarded as declared by the SFGT Rules Committee.

 

SKINS GAME (LOW GROSS SCORE): Players entering the Skins Competition are required to “hole out”.  There must be a Gross Score recorded on the card.  For a Birdie, please Circle the gross score.  For a Eagle, Hole-In-One, Double Eagle, please place a “triangle” around the Gross Score.  (Scoring at the score board is time consuming and so avoid errors, please detail your card accordingly.) 

TEE ASSIGNMENTS: 

All Players age 64 and under will play from approximately 6,000 – 6,300 yards.  Yardage will vary based on course. These tees may be referred to as the “regular” tees.

Players who are 65 or older OR will turn 65 during the 2024 SFGT Tour Season MAY play the SENIOR Tees if they so choose. Players younger than age 65 may play from the senior tees with committee approval.

For SFGT Tour purposes, the SENIOR TEES will typically be one set of tees in front of the “regular” tees and the yardage will normally fall in the range of 5,400 – 5,700 yards.