Junior Team Championship

   FLORIDA STATE GOLF ASSOCIATION

Local Rules and Conditions of Competitions - Effective March 9, 2005

The current Rules of the United States Golf Association govern play. See applicable Championship or qualifying round Notice to Competitors/Players and FSGA Championship Policies for additional Local Rules and Conditions. Complete text of Rules and Appendix I may be found in the current “Rules of Golf.”    

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:

Match play -- Loss of hole; Stroke play -- Two strokes.

LOCAL RULES

OUT OF BOUNDS:

a)        Defined by inside points, at ground level, of white stakes and lines and perimeter fence posts.

b)       When the inside edge of a 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.

WATER HAZARDS AND LATERAL WATER HAZARDS:

When water hazards and lateral water hazards are bounded by out of bounds, the hazard margin extends to and coincides with the out of bounds line.

GROUND UNDER REPAIR:  Ground under repair is defined by enclosed white lines.  Other areas of ground under repair, even when not marked, include:

a)        French drains (trenches filled with stones or the like)

b)       Fire ant beds or mounds (Note: For a player whose ball is in a water hazard and is affected by a fire ant bed or mound, see Decision 1-4/10)

SOD SEAMS: Except in a hazard, sod seams (not the sod itself) are deemed to be ground under repair, and relief is available under Rule 25-1 if the ball lies in or touches a sod seam or the sod seam interferes with the area of intended swing. All seams within the sodded area are considered the same seam.

OBSTRUCTIONS AND INTEGRAL PARTS OF THE COURSE: 

a)        When located within hazards; liners in bunkers and artificial walls and pilings are integral parts of the course unless otherwise specified.

b)       White lined areas tying into obstructions are part of the obstruction.

c)        When closely attached to trees, wrappings, electrical wire, and cables are integral parts of the course.

EMBEDDED BALL THROUGH THE GREEN: Local Rule as prescribed in Appendix I is in effect.

LOOSE IMPEDIMENTS: Wood chips and mulch are loose impediments.

CONDITIONS OF COMPETITIONS

GOLF BALLS: Only brands of golf balls on the USGA's latest List of Conforming Golf Balls may be used.

TIME OF STARTING: Optional Condition as prescribed in Appendix I is in effect.

PACE OF PLAY: The current FSGA Pace of Play policy as published in the FSGA Tournament Policies is in effect and is available at each tournament site.

SPIKE POLICY: It is a condition of the Florida State Golf Association that shoes with traditionally-designed spikes (regardless of composition, i.e., ceramic, plastic, etc.) or spikes regardless of design, comprised either entirely or partially of metal (when such metal comes in contact with the surface of the putting green) are prohibited. Penalty for breach of this condition: Disqualification.

SUSPENSION OF PLAY DUE TO A DANGEROUS SITUATION: Optional Condition as prescribed in Appendix I is in effect.  When play has been suspended for a dangerous situation, all practice areas are closed until the committee has declared them open for use.

SIGNALS FOR SUSPENSION OF PLAY: 

a)        Suspension for a dangerous situation: One prolonged siren or horn note.

b)       All other types of suspension:  Three consecutive air horn notes.

c)        Resumption of play:  Two air horn notes.

CONDUCT: A player’s entry may be withdrawn from the competition at any time at the discretion of the Committee for unbecoming conduct; including profanity, throwing clubs, damaging golf course property, and refusal to comply with the dress code.

PLAY-OFFS: Any tie requiring a play-off shall start on the hole designated by the Committee. The play-off may commence prior to the completion of regular play. It is the responsibility of the player to be present for any play-off.

OFFICIAL EVENT: In all FSGA Championships, an official event may be constituted by reverting to the results of an earlier round. Eighteen holes may constitute an official event.

CLOSE OF COMPETITION: The competition is deemed to have closed when the winner has been announced, or, in the absence of a prize ceremony, when all scores have been approved by the Committee.