THE 2024 GOLF RULES

1. We are allowed to have a new IESGA Local Rule for play, regarding out of bounds balls and lost balls: 

Our rational for the first new local rule:

Significant issues with pace of play can result from players needing to take stroke-and-distance relief for a ball that is out of bounds or cannot be found when a provisional ball has not been played. 

The purpose of this Local Rule is to allow a Committee to provide an extra relief option that means that a player may play on without returning to the location of the previous stroke. 

This option allows the player to drop in a large area between the point where the ball is estimated to have come to rest or gone out of bounds and the edge of the fairway that is not nearer the hole. 

The player gets two penalty strokes when using this relief option, so that the relief is comparable to what could have been achieved if the player had taken stroke-and-distance relief.  

IESGA LOCAL RULE #1

If your ball is lost or out of bounds, find an equidistant point on the edge of the fairway to where you believe your ball is either lost or went out of bounds.  Take a drop on the edge of the fairway, no nearer the hole, where the ball is estimated to have come to rest or gone out of bounds (penalty of two strokes).

A player may not use this option when: • The ball is known or virtually certain to have come to rest in a penalty area (not out of bounds), or • The player has played another ball provisionally under penalty of stroke and distance (see Rule 18.3).

For a pictorial representation of the application of this rule, see the third panel up above.

IESGA LOCAL RULE #2

A player’s score for each hole is capped at a maximum of 10. 

You may on any hole "pick up". That is, you do not have to finish the hole if things are going bad for you. Just declare to the scorekeeper that you are "picking up" and he will put a "10" for your score on that hole.  Reasons for Change:

The need to hole out on every hole in stroke play can have at least two downsides: (1) it often leads to a slow pace of play, and (2) it may discourage golfers who feel they no longer have a realistic chance to compete or to make a good score for the round once they get a very high score on one or two holes.

Maximum Score will be an alternative form of play that addresses both concerns, by allowing a player to “pick up” when he or she scores at or above the maximum and by capping the player’s score for any hole at the maximum. 

I have studied the data from past tournaments to make sure that this change will not impact who wins money.  I found no instances where someone scoring more than 10 would have won. 

IESGA LOCAL RULE #3  

For all IESGA Tournament play, a player may obtain distance information by using a device that measures distance. The distances obtained by these devices are not considered "advice" and may be shared.

However, If a player uses a distance-measuring device with features turned on that that is designed to gauge or measure other conditions that might affect his play (e.g., elevation, wind speed, etc.), and those features are turned on, the player is in breach of Rule 14-3 for which the penalty is disqualification. Therefore, during our IESGA play all extra features other than strict distance measuring should be turned "OFF." 

More IESGA Rule Information:

Keep your score cards legible. Illegible cards may have to be disqualified. 

We play by USGA rules for all events. This is tournament golf. 

When you play in an IESGA tournament, this is not a "casual" golf buddies round. That means all putts must be holed out and the ball is played as it lies. No "bumping" or "improvement" of the ball. No "scraping" the ball into the cup on the putting green. You must count all penalty strokes.

But, don't worry if you think you don't know all the rules. Just ask your playing partners, and between the four of you, someone will have the right knowledge.

If you see someone not playing by what you consider the rules of golf please report this to the person who has "broken" that rule. See if you can reach a resolution on whether there should be a penalty assessed or not. There is an obligation to "protect the field" by all IESGA players. If a resolution cannot be reached before you play the next hole, then at the completion of the round, make sure that the scorer and you talk with the Tournament Chairman, or one of the IESGA officers. You may do this by telephone or email. That player will have a chance to give his "side of the story", but ultimately the Tournament Chairman and/or board will make a decision in accordance with USGA The Rules Of Golf 2024 and/or the published printed local rules. 

If there is ever a question on an rules interpretation, hit an optional second ball, and come back to the club house at the end of your most current nine holes with members of your group to get a ruling by the course professional. 

If there are ever any local rules per a particular course that we are playing in our tournament they will be printed up and placed for distribution on the registration desk. Please take just one copy of the printed local rules per foursome and make sure they are read by your entire foursome before the tournament starts. 

Occasionally the weather will be such that we will have to play with a "lift, clean, and replace rule" and this will either be announced at the beginning of each tournament or be printed up with the local rules. Please inspect the IESGA tournament table for any special notifications.

IT IS YOUR INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY TO HAVE AN UNDERSTANDING OF ALL COURSE LOCAL RULES BEFORE YOU START PLAY.  CHECK THE IESGA TABLE INSIDE THE COURSE CLUBHOUSE BEFORE COMMENCING PLAY!