Rules Questions & Answers – Citrus Hills Ladies Golf Association

Posting Date	Topic	Question	Answer
February 2025	Sand Trap Tongues	How do we handle these areas? GUR; relief?
February 2025	Blue Flags on Course	Are they GUR? Do we get relief without Penalty?
February 2025	Practice swing hits and moves ball	What is the penalty hand how does the golfer proceed?
February 2025	Crossing the Water Hazard	What are my options?
	Overshooting the Green	How do you determine where the tongues start and stop if relief is granted?	The local rules on our scorecard indicate that any ball on or over a roadway is considered out of bounds.
	Marking Ball OFF the green	You and another player in group are both off the green. The person further out asks you to mark your ball, even though it is off the green, so it will not be in the way of their shot to the cup. The question: can the ball marker also be moved?	The ball can be marked when off the green and if the ball marker is also in the way, it can be moved in the same manner as it would be if on the green. The marker and ball would then be replaced in the same manner it is when on the green. The only stipulation that is different is that the person who marked their ball cannot clean the ball when it has been marked from a position that is not on the green.
	Accidental Movement of ball on Green	What is the penalty if I accidently move my ball?	On the green, there is no penalty if the ball is accidentally moved. This is a local rule and applies to balls on the green only. The ball is then moved back to the original location. If the ball is moved by wind or other natural causes (gravity) the ball is played from the new location.
	Marking Ball	Is it ok to mark my ball on the green, while another player who is off the green, has already hit their ball?	Player A is on the green; Player B is off the green. Player A cannot mark their ball on the green while Player B's ball is in motion. If player A moves their ball (marking it) while ball is in motion, they incur a 2 stroke penalty.
	Provisional Ball	When a provisional ball comes in play, at what point is it too late to use the provisional ball and a penalty stroke must be taken.	A provisional ball may be used when a player thinks her ball is lost (outside of a hazard), out of bounds or local rule on hole #5 Oaks. The player determines where she thinks the 1st ball "most likely" meets these criteria. She may play her provisional ball up to that point without penalty.
	Unplayable Lie	What is an uplayable lie. How do I take relief and what is the penalty?	Player at any time may declare an unplayable lie at any place on the course (except when the ball is in a water hazard) - 1 stroke penalty. Player can take 2 club lengths, no closer to the hole; or, replay the shot; or Keeping the ball in line with the flag, go back as far as player wants.
	Run Over Ball	What do I do if someone runs over my golf ball or steps on it?	Complicated issue. In Stroke play, if you run over/step on your own ball, 1 stroke penalty and you must replace the ball to original condition. If you do not replace the ball, an additional stroke penalty . If your fellow competitor runs over/steps on your ball, clean and drop the ball in same location with no penalty for either player.
	Discrepancy between players.	Who has the final say when two players disagree? Example: I say I didn't ground my club in a sand trap and my opponent says I did.	In the absence of proof, defer to what the player says. If the player is unsure, she may defer to the worst case scenario.
	Responsibilities of Signing and Attesting Score Cards.	If duplicate score cards are being recorded, why are there errors found after the fact? What is the Penalty for turning in an incorrect score card? Who has the ultimate accountability?	Hole by hole score is the responsibility of the player. (This issue will be discussed further by the League Play Director and the Board of Directors and presented to the membership.)
	Out of Bounds Stakes	Are the white "Out of Bounds Stakes" considered in bounds or out of bounds? Can you move them if they are in your way	The inside margin of the out of bounds stake or line is the boundary. If any portion of the ball is touching the golf course, it is considered in bounds. Therefore, the entire ball must be out of bounds to be considered out of bounds.” You CANNOT move an out of bounds marker for any reason. If the stake interferes in any way, you must play the ball as it lies or deem the ball unplayable (no free drop). All white stakes are considered out of bounds markers, not just stakes on the corner of homeowners’ properties.
	Grounding your Club	How do you define "Grounding your Club" in a sand trap? Is it permissible?	This is defined as touching any sand, even if done on your backswing. It is not permissible and will result in a 1 stroke penalty.
	Ground Under Repair	How can I identify ground under repair so that I can take a free drop (including the rough areas on the greens, bare dirt patches on the fairway, etc.)?	Abnormal Ground Conditions (GUR)– Rule 25-1 A player may take relief if stance or swing is affected. In the absence of indicators, the ball must be played as it lays. a. GUR is usually identified by the area encircled by white markings. b. Active grounds work on the course, may be represented by red flags. Once the work is complete the flags will be removed. (Examples: Washed out areas around a sprinkler head, are considered GUR. However, something that is not expected to be repaired, is not considered GUR.) If in doubt play two balls for that hole and ask Wayne for a decision.
	Equitable Stroke vs. Reasonable Score	Is there a difference between "reasonable score" on a hole versus the "Equitable Stroke Rule."	Most likely score : If a player does not finish a hole, she should record the "most likely" score for handicap purposes. A most likely score is the number of strokes already taken, plus in the player's judgment, the number of strokes needed to complete the hole. For handicapping purposes, the most likely score is recorded on the scorecard, preceded by an "X" (X-6), to indicate it is an estimated score. ( You will be considered withdrawn from any competitive round if you do not finish any of the holes required to be played in the round.) ESC (Equitable Stroke Control): Equitable Stroke Control (ESC) is the downward adjustment of individual hole score for handicap purposes. It sets a maximum number that a golfer can post on any hole depending on the player's Course Handicap. In a competition round, golfers must hole out counting all their strokes. For each hole, the actual score, is then checked against the ESC to determine if the actual score exceeds the ESC. For handicapping purposes, the score card should indicate the actual scores, but should indicate any adjustments for ESC.
	Practice Shots	If you take a PRACTICE shot and your club hits a tree or a limb which may cause a leaf or moss to fall, is there a penalty involved?	This falls under Rule 13-2 Improving Lie, Area of Intended Stance or Swing, or Line of Play. So the short answer is, it depends. "Improve" means to change for the better, so that the player creates a potential advantage for herself. So ask yourself, did your actions improve your line of play in anyway. If you answer yes, then accept the penalty. If you answer no, but your fellow competitors say yes, you, the player is the one who has the final say.
	Don’t know if I broke a rule.	What do I do if I'm told I've violated a rule, and I'm not sure about the rule? Do I just have to accept the penalty(s)?	You do not have to just accept the penalty. Play two balls from the point of discussion, one under your understanding of the rule, and one under your fellow competitor's understanding. Make note of both scores for that hole. DO NOT SIGN THE SCORECARD. Come into the Proshop and discuss the situation with Wayne. Finalize the scorecard accordingly. This is a great way to learn the rules, vs. just accepting someone else's understanding.