Nova Scotia Golf Association
Standard Local Rules
RCGA Rules of Golf (latest edition) and its Decisions and, where applicable, the following Local Rules shall govern play for all NSGA conducted events. Local rules published by the Host Club will not apply. Penalty for breach of a Local Rule is 2 strokes in Stroke Play and loss of hole in Match Play, unless otherwise provided.
1. GOLF BALLS:
Only those balls that are listed in the “Conforming Golf Balls” latest edition as published by the RCGA will be allowed. A list will be available from the Committee. Penalty for breach is DISQUALIFICATION. ‘X’ Out balls are not permitted.
2. TIME OF STARTING:
A player must arrive at his starting point at the time established by the Committee. Penalty-Disqualification (Rule 6-3). In exceptional individual cases, this penalty may be waived by the Committee. In the absence of circumstances which warrant waiving the penalty of disqualification and the player arrives at his starting point, ready to play, within five (5) minutes after his starting time, instead of disqualification the penalty is two strokes at the first hole played in Stroke Play or loss of the first hole in Match Play.
3. SUSPENSION OF PLAY:
For a dangerous situation: (One long blast of horn or siren)
When play is suspended for a dangerous situation, players shall discontinue play immediately and shall not resume play until the committee has ordered such resumption. Penalty for breach of this local rule: DISQUALIFICATION.
For other reasons: (3 consecutive blasts of horn or siren)
When play is suspended for any reason, other than a dangerous situation, players in between the play of two holes shall not resume play until the committee has ordered such resumption. Players in progress of playing a hole may complete the play of that hole as long as it is done without delay. Play shall cease upon completion of that hole.
All practice areas are considered closed during a stoppage for a dangerous situation and shall remain closed until reopened by the Committee.
Do not commence play again until authorized by the Committee. Signal for resumption of play shall be two short blast of siren or horn, repeated.
4. EMBEDDED BALL:
Anywhere “through the green” a ball which is embedded in its own pitch-mark in the ground, except in loose sand, may be lifted without penalty, cleaned and dropped as near as possible to the spot where it lay but not nearer the hole. The ball, when dropped must first strike a part of the course through the green. NOTE: “Through the green” is the whole area of the course except: (a) the teeing ground and putting green of the hole being played, (b) All hazards on the course.
5. OUT OF BOUNDS:
Defined by the nearest inside points of white stakes or fence posts at ground level. When out of bounds is defined by a white line on the ground, the line itself is out of bounds.
6. GROUND UNDER REPAIR:
All Ground Under Repair (GUR) will be indicated by a white line. The line itself is considered Ground Under Repair. All French drains are deemed to be GUR. All flowerbeds are deemed to be GUR from which relief must be taken. Relief is provided under Rule 25-1.
7. IMMOVABLE OBSTRUCTIONS:
All roadways, cart paths, sprinkler heads, exposed rocks on closely mown portions of the course and implanted yardage markers in the fairways, are considered immovable obstructions, and relief is provided under Rule 24-2. White lined areas tying into roads or paths have the same status as the roads or paths, and thus are obstructions and not ground under repair. The line itself is part of the obstruction.
8. DITCHES:
All ditches are considered hazards whether marked or not. However, ditches filled with gravel, or the like, would be considered French drains. (see #6 above for French drain relief).
9. WATER HAZARDS:
Are defined by “Yellow Stakes” and/or “Lines”. When both lines and stakes are present, the lines govern the margin of the hazard and the line itself is in the hazard.
10. LATERAL WATER HAZARDS:
Are defined by “Red Stakes” and/or “Lines” When both lines and stakes are present, the lines govern the margin of the hazard and the line itself is in the hazard.
11. POWER LINES:
If a ball strikes an elevated power line the stroke shall be cancelled and replayed, without penalty (see Rule 20-5). If the ball is not immediately recoverable another ball may be substituted.
12. ELECTRONIC DEVICES, MEASURING DEVICES or RANGE FINDERS:
Use of electronic devices such as cellular phones, yardage indicators, measuring devices or range finders, palm units and such is not permitted on the course. Violation will result in disqualification.
