THE RULES CORNER

Articles about everyday rules we encounter, not the strange, odd ball situations that make it to the news
or even articles questioning  “Do you know your rules?"

1. HOW TO EASILY FIND A RULE IN THE RULE BOOK  ( click the heading to open the pdf file)

2. CUSTOMS  AT  OUR  CLUB

3. NEAREST  POINT  OF  RELIEF

4. UNPLAYABLE LIES - Rule 28

5.PROVISIONAL BALL 

6.THE REASON WhHY A PROVISIONAL BALL CAN'T BE USED WITH AN UNPLAYABLE LIE

7.  COURTESY ON THE GOLF COURSE

 8.  WHAT SCORE TO PUT DOWN IF YOU PICK UP OR DON'T PLAY A HOLE

There are three very different reasons for picking up or not finishing, and each has a different requirement for scoring.   

And - each 'reason' has different variations – for example in the story a player (Jill) quits because of back trouble, but it could have rained, gotten dark, or she was late for an appointment.  Moreover, if a player arrives late and joins her foursome on the 3^rd hole she would use the same rule as Jill did, but she would not be part of any Medal Play Tournament.  Remember, I am trying to make things clear but simple, and that means not covering every possible point.  Don't hesitate to ask me about any other possibilities. 

If you pick up and it takes you out of the Tournament, you need to show that on your Score Card by putting something in the NET SCORE box.  It can be a dash, X, or an abbreviation  such as NR (No Return), DF (Did not Finish), DQ (Disqualified), or WD (Withdrew). Leaving a blank may make the scorers assume you just forgot. 

Personally, I prefer NR (no return) or DF (did not finish) because DQ (disqualified) sounds as if you broke a major rule and the Committee DQ'd you, and WD (withdraw) is usually used when someone drops out of a multi-day event, and a dash or X may be overlooked.  

HOWEVER, remember in some tournaments such as partner play types  or "Throw Out 3 Worst Holes" picking up does not necessarily mean that  you are out of the Tournament of the Day.  

Reminder:

ESC – Equitable Stroke Control:  (This table is on the last page of our membership book.)

            Course Handicap           Maximum Strokes on a Hole

                        9 or less                    Double Bogey

                        10-19                                    7

                        20-29                                    8

                        30-39                                    9

                        40 or more                          10