Effective February 1, 2024
Local Rules and Terms of the Competition
The Rules of Golf as approved by the USGA and R&A Rules Limited govern play. These Local Rules and Terms of the Competition are in effect at all FSGA competitions and qualifying rounds. See applicable competition Notice to Player, Code of Conduct, FSGA Championship Policies and entry application for modifications or additions to these Local Rules. Complete text of the Rules and Local Rules may be found in the Official Guide to the Rules of Golf, effective January 2023.
Disregard Local Rules printed on club scorecards or posted at the course.
Unless otherwise noted, the penalty for breach of a Local Rule or Condition is the general penalty.
Local Rules
Out of Bounds:
- Defined by the line between the course-side points of white stakes, lines and boundary fence posts at ground level.
- When a paved road or curb defines out of bounds, a ball that is on or beyond the road or curb is out of bounds even though it may lie on another part of the golf course.
Penalty Areas:
- When a penalty area is the out of bounds edge, the penalty area edge extends to and coincides with the out of bounds line.
- When a penalty area coincides with out of bounds, Model Local Rule B-2.2 is in effect allowing an additional relief option on the opposite side of a red penalty area equidistant to the reference point.
Obstructions:
- White lined areas of ground under repair tying into immovable obstructions are treated as a single obstruction.
- When the outside edge (non-golf course side) of a road or path defines the edge of a penalty area or out of bounds, the road or path is an immovable obstruction.
Ground Under Repair: Defined by white lines. Other areas of ground under repair, even when not marked, include:
- French drains (trenches filled with stones or the like)
- Large or hard ant hills on the course
Animal Near Ball: Model Local Rule E-13 as prescribed in Section 8 of the Committee Procedures is in effect.
Edging Grooves Near Putting Greens: Model Local Rule F-19 as prescribed in Section 8 of the Committee Procedures is in effect. Relief is available only for lie of ball or area of intended swing.
Wood Chips and Mulch: Wood chips and mulch are loose impediments.
Immovable Obstructions Close to Putting Green: Model Local Rule F-5.2 as prescribed in Section 8 of the Committee Procedures is in effect. Relief is available only when both the ball and the obstruction lie in a closely mown area in the general area.
Integral Objects:
- Cables, rods, wires and wrappings when closely attached to trees.
- Artificial walls and pilings when located in penalty areas or in or adjacent to bunkers, and bunker liners.
An exposed bunker liner may be treated as ground under repair, but interference does not exist if the liner interferes only with the player's stance.
Relief from Seams of Cut Turf: Model Local Rule F-7 as prescribed in Section 8 of the Committee Procedures is in effect. Relief is available only for lie of ball or area of intended swing.
List of Conforming Driver Heads and Golf Balls: Model Local Rules G-1 and G-3 as prescribed in Section 8 of the Committee Procedures are in effect.
Broken or Significantly Damaged Club: Model Local Rule G-9 as prescribed in Section 8 of the Committee Procedures is in effect.
Missing Player or Marker Certification: Model Local Rule L-1 as prescribed in Section 8 of the Committee Procedures is in effect.
Transportation: When players are required to walk, a player who will play, or has played under stroke and distance is authorized to ride on motorized transportation.
Pace of Play: See FSGA Championship Pace of Play Policy.
Stopping and Resuming Play: Model Local Rule J-1 as prescribed in Section 8 of the Committee Procedures is in effect.
All practice areas are closed during suspension for a dangerous situation until the Committee has declared them open. Failure to comply may result in revocation of entry.
Discontinue Play Immediately: One prolonged signal note.
Discontinue Play: Three consecutive short signal notes, repeated.
Resume Play: Two short signal notes, repeated.
When Competition Is Final: The competition is final when the trophy has been presented to the winner or, in the absence of a prize ceremony, when all scores have been approved by the Committee.
