OMGC LOCAL CLUB RULES – Revision-2025

PUTT OUT ALL PUTTS

· No exceptions, even if the ball is 1 millimeter from dropping in!

PLAY THE BALL AS IT LIES, BE FAIR, & COUNT ALL OF YOUR STROKES

· Unless there is another local rule in place, there is no improving your lie anywhere on the course.

· Follow USGA and/or LOCAL RULES, be fair, and count all of your strokes.

ADVICE AND ELECTRONIC MEASURING DEVICES

· Asking for and giving advice to gain advantage is not allowed and could result in a TWO-STROKE PENALTY.

· If play is a Team Event, then advice and information may be shared between Team Members.

· Sharing yardage and line of sight information is allowed. Electronic Measuring Devices are allowed and sharing of such information is also allowed.

OUT OF BOUNDS/LOST BALL

You have three minutes to search for your ball before it is deemed lost.

THERE ARE 3 OPTIONS (Options 1 AND 2 will help speed of play)

1. Before looking for your ball, PLAY A PROVISIONAL BALL

· You must announce that you are playing a provisional ball before doing so.

· If you are then unable to find your original ball, or you find it out of bounds, your provisional ball is your ball in play for a ONE STROKE PENALTY

2. ESTIMATE the spot where your ball was lost or went out of bounds, then

• FIND the nearest fairway edge that is not nearer to the hole and
• DROP a ball in the fairway within two club-lengths of that fairway edge point, or anywhere between there and the estimated spot where your ball was lost or went out of bounds for a TWO-STROKE PENALTY

3. GO BACK TO THE SPOT of your previous stroke for a ONE-STROKE PENALTY.

LINK TO OB/LOST BALL VIDEO

TEN-END RULE

· To speed up play, you may take a maximum score of 10 on any hole. If you continue to play, you must take the higher score.

FAIRWAY DAMAGE

· If a ball in the fairway is in bare spot, divot or other area of distress, with the agreement of one other player, you may deem the area as Ground Under Repair and drop the ball no closer to the hole within one club length at the nearest point of relief.

COURSE DAMAGE

· If a ball on the course, including in the rough, is damaged (tire tracks, heavy equipment or similar) with the agreement of one other player, you may deem the area as Ground Under Repair and drop the ball no closer to the hole within one club length at the nearest point of relief

BUNKER DAMAGE

· If a ball comes to rest in a bunker in a spot clearly marred by a previous player (foot prints or similar), you may repair the bunker before playing your shot by approximating the ball location, repairing the spot and then replacing the ball as closely as possible to its original location.

WET COURSE CONDITIONS

· When playing in wet course conditions, with consent from one other player, you may LIFT, CLEAN and PLACE the ball anywhere on the course that is not in a hazard. The ball can be placed at the nearest point of relief, no more than ONE FOOT from that spot and no closer to the hole.

TEMPORARY GREENS

· A maximum of two putts can be taken on any temporary green.

PLAYER RESPONSIBILITY

· When in doubt about a rule’s interpretation, you should play a provisional ball and discuss the situation when turning in your scorecard for a final ruling.

· To ensure the integrity of the tournament placings and betting results…Every player is expected to follow the rules AND ensure that their playing partners do the same…Even when other players are in different flights.