USGA & GCNJ
"Local Rules"
CLICK
HERE FOR NEW USGA & GCNJ RULES
EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY
In conjunction with our Rules Committee, Rob Mieczkowski and John Tricker,
we have updated the Rules and GCNJ Rules. These Rules go along with the
previous "local" rules
listed below.
Rob and John are the decision makers on Rulings. If you have an inquiry or
question, their emails are:
Rob -
rm7ozzy@aol.com,
John -
GOLFTRIX@aol.com,
john@lpwideplank.com,
- We are raising the maximum score from 4-over par to 5-over par.
- If you take a max of 5-over par you are NOT ELIGIBLE to win the
gross portion of the
event. To be considered for any gross title you must hole out your ball
and use that
score.
- If you take a maximum of 5-over par, in match-play, you lose
any handicap strokes for
that hole. The strokes are lost just for the match-play portion.
- In the event as to how to proceed should a Rules question arise
on the course and you
are unsure what the Rule is, we are encouraging players to play 2 balls
and the Rules
Committee will make a determination as to which ball is in
play.
- Should you see a blatant disregard for the Rules (dropping
balls, fluffing lies, purposeful
cheating) and you are unsure as to how you should approach it... REACH
OUT TO ROB,
JOHN or MYSELF and we will address it.
- In the event that a player incurs a penalty that would, under
the USGA Rules of Golf,
result in a disqualification from the event we have instituted local
rules as follows:
Match-Play
Individual Match – Player forfeits match but is still in the stroke-play
format, and must apply penalties as per below.
Any Two-Player Format Match – Player forfeits participation in the remainder
of the match but is still in the stroke-play format, and must apply
penalties as per below.
Stroke-Play
Two-Player Best ball - Player is DQ for that
hole and records a max score.
Two-Player Aggregate - Player records a max
score for that hole, PLUS a 2-stroke penalty.
Points Format – Player gets -3 points.
If the reason for a DQ is willful and proven deliberate, then a DQ and swift
exit from the club will apply.
The below Local Rules were instituted previously
GCNJ LOCAL RULE:
The GCNJ in conjunction with the USGA's recent rulings has
adopted two local rules for all events. First, the embedded ball
rule is always in effect thru the green for all of our events.
This means that if your ball is EMBEDDED anywhere on the golf
course except in a hazard or bunker, you are entitled to
relief as follows: a drop within ONE club length of the embedded
ball and no nearer the hole without penalty. The second rule we
have adopted allows players to remove stones in a bunker. This
rule was adopted by the USGA last year allowing clubs to adopt a
local rule to do so. We have. The procedure allows players to
remove stones from the bunker; however, since the stones are
interpreted as loose impediments, the ball shall not be moved in
any way. The GCNJ has adopted this rule as well. Lastly, there
have been some isolated reports of rule breaches brought to my
attention and may I remind all players that the GCNJ adheres to
the USGA Rules of Golf and I ask that each member does as well.
If you see a breach of the rules it does not always mean that
the player is cheating, rather they may not be sure as how to
proceed. Should any such incidents arise, have the player play
two balls and bring the situation inside upon completion
of play so that we may make a ruling on it. Thanks.
MATCH PLAY
PICK-UP RULE: During
match-play there has been some confusion regarding "picking-up"
on a hole. The league rule is as follows: we ask players to
pick-up for pace purposes only if they are out of the hole. If
the hole you are playing is still in question regarding with no
clear winner, you must continue to play out until the hole has
been decided. If a player hits 2 balls OB off the tee and says I
pick up and takes a max, and than his opponent gets on the tee
and does the same after the first player already conceded,
player 2 wins the hole. Also, when a player picks up, his
handicap strokes are forfeited so he can not pick-up and take an
8 net 7 for his/her score. Once you pick-up, the hole is
automatically awarded to your opponent regardless of what
happens after that.
