New Local Rules Sheet for Chautauqua Golf Club

Doug Vergith
New York State Golf Association Certified  Rules Official
Member, Chautauqua Golf Club

USGA rules apply. Local rules are as listed below. Terms in italics are defined in the Rules of Golf.

  1. Out of bounds (OB) — is defined by the line between the course-side points at ground level of white stakes. Also, defined by the course-side edge of the entrance road over No. 3 green and to the right of the first OB stake on No. 5. Also, defined by the course-side edge of the Learning Center entrance road over No. 13 green.
  1. In course out of bounds on the left side of both No. 13 Lake and No. 11 Hill — is OB for those holes only and is defined by white stakes.
  1. Alternative to Stroke and Distance for a ball that is lost or out of bounds
    — For two penalty strokes, the player may take relief by dropping the original ball or another ball in a large area between the spot the ball was lost or OB and within 2 club lengths of the nearest edge of the fairway of the hole being played. This location must not be nearer the hole than where the ball was lost or went OB.
    Note: This alternative rule applies to general play only and not to play in any club tournament or competition.
  1. Cleaning Ball (when announced as in effect)  — When a player’s ball lies in the general area, the ball may be lifted, cleaned and replaced without penalty. The player must mark the spot before lifting the ball (see Rule 14.1) and the ball must be replaced on its original spot (see Rule 14.2).
  1. Ground Under Repair (GUR) — Is marked with white lines French drains and other drainage areas in the General Area not marked as Penalty Areas are also GUR. Flower beds and decorative plantings are GUR from which relief is mandatory — including the plantings behind No. 13 Lake green.
  1. Aeration holes — If a player’s ball lies in or touches an aeration hole:
    Ball in General Area. The player may take relief under Rule 16.1b. If the ball comes to rest in another aeration hole the player may take relief again under this Local Rule.
    Ball on Putting Green. The player may take relief under Rule 16.1d.
    But interference does not exist if the aeration hole only interferes with the player’s stance or, on the putting green, on the player’s line of play.
  1. Immovable Obstructions — All maintenance roads and cart paths, whether paved, stones or bare ground, including any adjacent curbing, rocks, or worn areas. Immovable Obstructions adjacent to, within or abutting each other, such as cart paths, curbing, walls, steps, drains, permanent structures, etc. are considered a single obstruction.
  1. Immovable Obstructions Close to Putting Greens — Relief from interference by an immovable obstruction may be taken under Rule 16.1.
    The player also has these extra options to take relief when such immovable obstructions are close to the putting green and on the line of play:
    Ball in General Area. The player may take relief under Rule 16.1b if an immovable obstruction (such as a sprinkler head) is:
    On the line of play, and is: within two club-lengths of the putting green, and within two club-lengths of the ball.
    Exception — No Relief If Line of Play Clearly Unreasonable. There is no relief under this Local Rule if the player chooses a line of play that is clearly unreasonable
  1. Seams of Cut Turf (Sod Seams) — If a player’s ball lies in or touches a seam of cut turf or a seam interferes with the player’s area of intended swing:
    Ball in General Area. The player may take relief under Rule 16.1b.
    Ball on Putting Green. The player may take relief under Rule 16.1d.
    All seams within the area of cut turf are treated as the same seam in taking relief. This means that if a player has interference from any seam after dropping the ball, the player must proceed as required under Rule 14.3c(2) even when the ball is still within one club-length of the reference point.
  1. Animal Hoof Damage — Damage that is clearly identifiable as having been caused by animal hoofs is ground under repair from which free relief is allowed under Rule 16.1.[But on the putting green, Rule 16.1 does not apply as such damage may be repaired under Rule 13.1.]