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2021 Hard Card Released (Local Rules)

January 21, 2021

Each year the FSGA updates and releases the association's Hard Card which are the Local Rules that are in effect for all FSGA competitions. "Hard Card" is the term that was adopted for this document many many years ago because it was always printed on thick paper and handed out to players. Now, the Hard Card is posted on the website, linked to on tournament entry pages, and sometimes distributed at tournaments. Although most players do not read the Hard Card, it is a very important document that officials and players should be knowledgeable about.

The USGA also has a Hard Card that is in effect for all USGA Championships and Qualifiers, even when a qualifier is conducted by the FSGA. There are a few differences between the FSGA and USGA Hard Cards.

What are Local Rules you may ask? Local Rules are modifications to the Rules of Golf that are put in effect by the Committee of a competition or a club's professional staff at a golf course. Each Local Rule must be approved in the Rules of Golf. The Committee Procedures section of The Official Guide to the Rules of Golf lists all the approved Local Rules.

In addition to a Hard Card, there is a Notice to Players document that lists additional Local Rules for a specific tournament. The Notice to Players is usually distributed with the hole locations for each round. Essentially, the Hard Card are the Local Rules for all of the association's competitions and the Notice to Players are course specific Local Rules.

Hard Card Links

2021 Changes to the FSGA Hard Card

Bunker liners added to Integral Objects: A bunker liner is an integral object (no free relief); however, an exposed bunker liner may be treated as ground under repair, but interference does not exist if the liner interferes only with the player's stance. 

A bunker liner is typically plastic or concrete and should be well below the surface of the sand, but sometimes pieces become exposed. When exposed, players are entitled to free relief if the exposed liner interferes with their lie of ball or area of intended swing.

Limiting When Stroke Made from Putting Green Must Be Replayed Under Exception 2 to Rule 11.1b: Model Local Rule D-7 is in effect.

When a stroke is made from the putting green and the ball accidentally hits the player, the club used to make the stroke, or a tiny animal (like worms, insects, etc.) the stroke counts and the ball is played as it lies.

This Local Rule came about from several instances where a player tried to tap-in a short putt and the ball accidentally hit their own foot. Before Local Rule D-7 was adopted, players were required to cancel the stroke and replay it, basically giving the player a free second chance to make the putt which didn't seem appropriate.


If you have any questions on the Rules of Golf please contact the FSGA's Tournament Department at 813-632-3742 or email championships@fsga.org.