Local rule 1: If your ball is lost or out of bounds

If your ball is lost or out of bounds, USGA rule E-5 applies. You have a maximum of 3 minutes to search for a lost ball. If you are unable to locate it, use this local rule. Estimate the distance from the hole you believe your ball was lost or went out of bounds. You may then drop your ball equal distance to the hole to the fairway edge, then drop within two club lengths into the fairway and add two strokes. For balls out of bounds, use the point where the ball last crossed the course boundary. For example, if your drive is lost, locate where you believe the ball to be, then drop equal distance from the pin on the fairway. now hitting your 4th shot. For details: (a) https://www.usga.org/content/usga/home-page/rules-hub/rules-modernization/major-changes/golfs-new-rules-stroke-and-distance.html (b) Please note that once a provisional ball is played this rule does not apply. (c) For a one minute video illustrating this rule, go to this link: https://m.facebook.com/USGA/videos/10156542899754369/?refsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F&_rdr (d) NOTE: When the rough is high at Torrey Pines GC, TPMGC used to have a special rule allowing players to drop the ball within a club length of where they believed their ball was lost and add one stroke. This option is no longer available. (e) On some occasions the golf course publicizes certain local rules, i.e., lift clean and place. You may only do that if so stipulated by the tournament committee before play commences.

Local rule: Scorecards and Golf Genius

The scores entered on Golf Genius are official once you leave the golf course. Do not leave the course until each member of the foursome has confirmed their Golf Genius score is accurate. (a) Preprinted scorecards are often provided by the Club and should be used for individual recording. Enter scores for each hole as required for the game. Retain the scorecard for one-week post tournament should the tournament committee require clarification. (b) All players/teams/groups must also enter scores electronically in the Golf Genius Mobile App. Usually one person in the group is designated for this task. The score in Golf Genius is your official score. Do not leave the post round staging area until you, the player, are in agreement with your score in Golf Genius.

Local rule: Preferred lies when playing from a bunker

Preferred lies when playing from a bunker: (a) When warranted by special conditions such as no rakes provided in bunkers, players may improve their lie in a bunker. (b) Players may place their ball elsewhere in a bunker without penalty within one club length of where the ball came to rest. (c) Procedure under local rule: Declare to playing partners that you are using the preferred lie option. Measure one club length no closer to the hole. Place the ball in a spot in the bunker of your choosing. You may not clean your ball. There is no penalty. In consideration of other players please smooth out, with your foot or club, the area from where you played and walked in the bunker.

Other Rules

Play the Ball as it Lies: Always play the ball as it lies unless otherwise instructed by the Tournament Chair. Completing the Hole: In stroke play tournaments, a hole is not completed until your ball is in the hole. Failure to do so will result in DQ if you do not hole out prior to teeing off on the next hole. If you pick up and realize the error prior to teeing off on the next hole, place your ball where it was and once your ball is holed out, add two strokes to your score. In match play, unless your ball is conceded, penalty is loss of hole. In better ball tournaments, in order to speed up play, you may pick up your ball without completing the hole. Record a score that you estimate to the most likely score on that hole if you had putted out. If neither partner holes out the team is DQ’d. Free drops: You are entitled to a free drop only if the area is officially marked as ground under repair or if the tournament chair has notified players of certain areas qualifying for free drops. NOTE: The dirt triangle surrounded by Holes 3, 4 and 5 on Torrey North is NOT a free drop area. Play the ball as it lies always. If a drop is necessary, add one stroke to your score. The dirt area left of North #2 used to be considered a free drop. It is now considered part of the canyon area. Sprinkler Heads: You may take a free drop if your ball is on a sprinkler head or if a sprinkler head interferes with your stance. You are not entitled to relief from a sprinkler head that is on the line of chip or putt from off the green. Torrey Pines South #9. Major tournaments use a gravel area along the far left side of the fairway for their trailers, equipment, etc. It is in play, but you are allowed a free drop if your ball comes to rest on the gravel. Note: often it is difficult to tell overgrown grassy area from the gravel area. If you cannot see the gravel you may “test” your lie by touching the suspect area. Also, once the gravel area begins it extends to the perimeter fence. Canyon Areas. Many parts of the golf courses we play have natural unkept areas, such as canyons, and contain chaparral or wild trees. The edge between the maintained golf course and the unmaintained natural areas is often unmarked. If unmarked, consider the edge between maintained and unmaintained as the penalty area line. Balls entering the penalty area are then played per USGA rule 17. Play from the Proper Tees: The tee color you are assigned to always appears on your scorecard. Be sure to play from the correct tee. If you tee off from the wrong tee and do not tee off again from the correct tee before completing the hole, you are DQ’d. If you correct the mistake before completing the hole, you must take a general penalty of 2 strokes. See USGA Rule 6. Measuring Devices: You may use devices that inform you of the distance you are from the hole or other objects on the golf course. These devices may not adjust the distance for elevation changes (slope), weather conditions, green reading, club selection, etc. Those features must be deactivated during club events. Using these prohibited features will result in a penalty of 2 strokes (medal play) or loss of hole (match play) for each hole the device was used in such a manner. See USGA 4.3A. Diagrams of Putting Greens: publications or apps that inform golfers of the slope of greens are allowed during club events if they comply to USGA 4.3 for scale limits. Green reading books sold in the golf course pro shop normally comply. Those found on the web may not. Unsure About Golf Rule: if you are unsure about a rule during a round of golf, play two balls on that particular hole. Play one without taking relief. Take what you believe to be proper relief with the second ball. Hole out both balls and then contact the tournament chair for a ruling.