Rules

The Following Are Our Current Club Rules 

LOCAL OUT OF BOUNDS/LOST BALL RULE ***
A new local rule was introduced with the newest edition of the Rules of Golf when they were released in 2019. The new stroke-and-distance local rule allows players the option of dropping in the fairway if they so choose. For 2-penalty strokes, estimate where you think your original ball is lost or where it went out of bounds. Then create an imaginary perpendicular line to the fairway, no closer to the hole. From there, you can now drop anywhere within two club-lengths behind the line. The next shot will be your fourth.This rule keeps groups moving and speeds up play.
***If your ball did cross grass and is deemed lost, please refer to our Local Desert Rule below

***LOCAL DESERT RULE EXPLANATION***
You have a maximum of 3 minutes to look for a ball. Then the our Local Desert Rule IS IN EFFECT – If your ball crosses over grass on the way to the desert and did not go OB: 

• The original ball does not have to be found to apply the “Local Desert Rule” when there is reasonable certainty that the ball did cross grass and did in fact come to rest in the desert and searching for the ball would likely delay play.
• If your ball is found, the ball can be played as it lies in the desert without penalty.
  OR
• The ball can be played from a point within 2 club lengths of where it last crossed grass with a one stroke penalty. Relief is NOT the nearest grass, it is where your ball last crossed grass! (e.g. if your drive crosses grass and you chose this option, you’re hitting 3 after dropping 2 club lengths from where your ball last crossed grass). The player and the players in the group must agree to the point of entry where the ball last crossed grass.
  OR
• The ball can be dropped within 2 club lengths of where the ball lay no nearer the hole with a one stroke penalty.
  OR
• The ball can be dropped behind where the original ball lay keeping that point directly between where you drop and the hole with a one stroke penalty. You can go back as far as you want. (e.g. if you find your drive in a bush and you choose to drop back on a direct line, you’re hitting 3 after your drop.)

If your ball DOES NOT CROSS OVER GRASS on the way to the desert:

• Play a provisional ball. Clearly state that you are playing a provisional.
• If the ball is found it can be played as it lies in the desert without penalty. (e.g. if your drive goes straight right never crossing grass and you find it in the desert, you’re hitting 2).
  OR
• If the ball is found but unplayable there’s 3 options: 1) you can drop 2 club lengths from that spot (e.g. you drop out of a bush you’ve driven into with a one stroke penalty, you’re hitting 3); 2) drop back on a line keeping that spot directly between you and the hole (e.g. you drop 5 yards directly behind the bush, you’re hitting 3); 3) you can play your provisional (your provisional is like taking a stroke and distance penalty and you’re hitting 4!). BE WISE!!!
  OR
• If the ball is not found, instead of driving back to the tee-box and slowing down the pace of play, we advise you to utilize the new 2019 LOCAL OB/LOST BALL RULE (see above). For 2-penalty strokes, estimate where you think your original ball is lost or where it went out of bounds. Then create an imaginary perpendicular line to the fairway, no closer to the hole. From there, you can now drop anywhere within two club-lengths behind the line. The next shot will be your fourth.

NOTE: The Desert Rule applies to any shot you hit, NOT only your tee shot.

BALL IN BUNKERS WITH NO RAKE OR ARE UNMAINTAINED: Some courses do not have rakes in the bunkers. If a player’s ball to come to rest in an unmaintained area of sand (ex. footprint, water retention, etc), treat as ground under repair and take free nearest point of relief within the bunker. You can also take the rake and fix the area where you ball is and then place your ball back on that spot and play from there. 

FAIRWAY OR ROUGH IN BAD CONDITION: We do not have the ability to review course conditions prior to play. If your ball is in the fairway or rough but there is no to little grass (bad conditions) move your ball to the nearest patch of grass without penalty. Confer with your group prior to moving your ball. 

PUTT EVERYTHING OUT: Picking up or conceding opponents putts are not allowed. The only time you should be picking up is if you have already reached max double par on the hole.

ROCK CLUB: We do allow our members to take an extra club in their bag to use when you are worried about damaging you regular clubs. If you do not have one in your bag and someone else in your group has one, you are allowed to borrow that club. 

QUESTIONS ON A RULING: This is not the PGA tour, so let’s not get too serious. If you have a rules question, please ask your playing partners on how to proceed. We are all here to have fun!

PLAYER CODE OF CONDUCT POLICY: The OGS Golf Club has an expectation that each player adheres to commonly accepted standards of golfing etiquette during competition and exemplary behavior (off course) at all times as they are representing our club. Failure to comply to these standards will result in being removed from the league and having their membership revoked with no refunds.