LOCAL RULES
and
TERMS OF COMPETITION
Play is governed by the Golf Canada Rules of Golf 2022 and, where applicable, the following Local Rules and Conditions of Competition, subject to changes, additions or deletions made for a particular championship. The full text of the local rules can be found in the Official Rules of Golf 2022 Guide.
Unless otherwise specified, the penalty for violation of a local rule is:
Game by holes - Loss of hole.
Stroke play - Two strokes.
Out of bounds - Rule 18.2
Defined by the inside edge, at ground level, of the white dots, lines, stakes, and fence posts defining the boundaries of the course. A ball is out of bounds when it is beyond any wall defining the boundaries of the course.
A ball that stops on or beyond a road that is out of bounds will be considered out of bounds, even if it rests on another part of the course that is within bounds for play on other holes.
Penalty area - Rule 17.
- Drop Zone (DZ)
If a player's ball has not been found and it is determined or virtually certain that the ball has come to rest in a penalty area and a drop zone (DZ) has been indicated in the Notice to Players, the player may as an additional option drop a ball, with a penalty stroke, into the circle marked DZ at the location indicated in the Notice to Players. The ball must be dropped and come to rest in the designated area. Model Local Rule E-1.1
- Clearance on the opposite side of a penalty area:
The option of clearing the opposite side of a penalty area shall be indicated in the Notice to Players. Model Local Rule B-2.1.
Note: When the boundary of a penalty area coincides with the boundary of the field of play, Model Local Rule B 2.2 is in effect and modifies the first paragraph of Model Rule B-2.1
- Boundaries of a penalty area:
Red or yellow stakes are used to indicate where the penalty areas are, but these stakes do not define the boundary. Instead, the boundary of the penalty area is defined by red or yellow lines, or when there are no lines, by the uncut grass.
Line Setback - Model Local Rule E-12 in effect.
This applies to rules 16.1c(2), 17.1d(2), 19.2b, 19.3b.
Abnormal field condition (including immovable obstructions) Rule 16.1.
- Land under Repair - Rule 16.1 includes:
- Areas defined by white lines.
- Drainage trenches filled with stone.
- Turf joints - Local Rule F-7 is in effect. If a player's ball rests in or touches such a joint between the turfgrass, or if the condition interferes with the space required for the player's swing:
- Ball in the general area: The player may take a safety under Rule 16.1b.
- Ball on the green: Player may take a stroke as per Rule 16.1d.
However, this does not apply if the joint only causes embarrassment to the player's position.
All joints between the grass pads are considered to be the same joint for clearing purposes. This means that if a player has an embarrassment of any joint after dropping the ball, he must proceed as required by Rule 14.3c(2) even if the ball is still within one club length of the reference point.
- Immovable Obstructions - Areas of land under repair marked with a white line and artificial surface roads or paths or other identified obstructions to which they are connected are considered to be a single abnormal field condition when taking a clearance under Rule 16.1.
- Remove temporary water - Model Local Rule J-2 is in effect.
If a ball lies on the green and there is an embarrassment caused by temporary water, the Committee may:
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- Require the player to proceed according to Rule 16.1.
- Use a scraper on the line of play.
- Use the scraper until the players are near the green.
- I extreme cases, use a combination of i, ii, iii and under the direction of the Committee.
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Ventilation holes
If a player's ball lies in or touches a vent hole.
- - Ball in the general area: The player may take a stroke under Rule 16.1b. If the ball stops in another vent hole, the player may again take a stroke under this local rule
- Ball on the green: The player may take a clearance under Rule 16.1d.
However, there is no embarrassment if the vent hole is only involved in the player's stance or, on the green, in the player's line of play.
Non-removable obstruction near the green
Model Local Rule F-5 is in effect and is modified as follows for a ball in the General Area. The clearance is permitted only if the ball and obstruction are located in the general area cut at or below the height of the fairway.
Integral parts
The following objects are integral parts from which a non-penalty release is not permitted:
- The portion of wraps, wires, cables, or other similar objects that are closely attached to trees.
- Artificial retention walls and/or piles that are within a penalty area or adjacent to the boundary of the bunkers.
- Membranes of any type present in their intended location in the bunkers. Embarrassment caused by such a membrane to the player's position is not, in itself, an embarrassment under this rule.
- Closed barriers attached to an object defining the boundaries of the field.
Power lines and permanent cables
Model Local Rule E-11 is in effect and is modified as follows: If it is established or virtually certain that a ball has struck a permanent power line or elevated cable, the shot does not count. The player must replay a ball, without penalty, from which the previous shot was made in accordance with Rule 14.6.
Temporary non-removable obstructions
Local rule type F-23 is in effect. Temporary non-removable obstructions include, but are not limited to, tee boxes, advertising objects, scoring areas and game time control points. As an additional option, the player may drop the ball on either side of the obstruction.
Clubs and balls
- List of No. 1 Wooden Heads that comply with the rules: Local Rule G-1 is in effect. Penalty for hitting with a club in violation of this local rule: Disqualification.
- List of golf balls that comply with the rules. Local Rule G-3 is in effect. Penalty for hitting a ball in violation of this local rule: Disqualification.
- Replacing a Broken or Seriously Damaged Club: Standard Local Rule G-9 is in effect. When replacing a club, the player must immediately remove the broken or seriously damaged club from play, using the procedure in Rule 4.1c(1).
Penalty for violation of this local rule: see rule 4.1b.
Note: An updated list of clubs and balls that comply with the rules is available at www.golfcanada.ca/rules.
Pace of play (Rule 5.6(3))
The GSC policy on group play pace is in effect at all tournaments. Players must ensure that they complete sets of holes and the round within the times determined by the Tournament Rules Committee. The full policy is available online, at the CGC tournament office and at tournament registration.
Note: Rule 5.6a (unreasonable delay) remains in effect.
Stopping and restarting play (rule 5.7)
The J-1 local rule is in effect as follows:
- Immediate suspension (dangerous situation): one long siren note.
- Ordinary suspension (non-dangerous situation): three short notes of the siren
- Resumption of play: two short notes of siren.
Note: During an immediate suspension for unsafe conditions, all practice areas will be closed until the tournament committee declares them open. A player practicing in these areas when they are closed will be asked to stop practicing. Failure to do so will result in penalties under the Code of Conduct.
Training (Rule 5.5)
- Before and between rounds in stroke play – Model Local Rule I-1.1 is in effect and Rule 5.2b is amended as follows: A player shall not practice on the competition field before or between rounds.
Penalty for a first offense: General penalty (applied to the player's first hole)).
Penalty for a second infraction: Disqualification.
- Between holes in stroke play – Model Local Rule I-2 is in effect and Rule 5.5b is amended to read as follows: Between the play of two holes, a player shall not:
- Take a practice shot on or near the green of the last completed hole, OR
- Test the surface of that green by rolling a ball or rubbing the surface.
Transport
Unless a competition uses Model Local Rule G-6, players may use motorized transportation, players using motorized transportation shall not:
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- Allow someone other than a cadet or another player to drive the car (other than a very short trip to facilitate the game).
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- When practical, drive the car past the position of the balls in play to obtain additional information about the hole or the shot to be played.
In the case of a first violation of this Local Rule, the player shall be given a warning. Any subsequent offense will be subject to the general penalty for each hole in which the violation occurs.
Audio or video devices
Rule 4.3a (4) is amended as follows: During a round, a player shall not listen to or view content of any kind on an electronic device with headphones.
TERMS OF THE COMPETITION
Round (rule 5.1)
In stroke play, other than shotgun starts, when all play begins on the same hole, play will consist of two consecutive rounds of 9 holes. When all players complete the first round of 9 holes, but not the second, only the score of the first round of 9 holes will be calculated in the total score of the overall event. This rule applies only to one-day tournaments or to the final round of a multi-day tournament.
Tie Breaker
In the event of a tie for the winner of a competition, the tie will be broken by comparing the score of the most difficult hole determined by the committee with the start of the round, if there is a tie, the next hole, etc.
Delivery of the score card
A player's scorecard has been turned in to the committee when the player has completely left the official scoring area, i.e., has both feet out of the scoring area. A player who must leave the designated scoring area before turning in his or her card must inform the official assigned to scoring of his or her intention.
Closing of the competition
The competition is considered complete when all scores have been validated in the computer system and approved by the committee or when the trophy has been presented to the winner.
CGC TOUR COMITEE
Tournament Chief Officer
Patrice Tremblay
Rules Chief Officer
Edouard Rivard