Handicap limits may be designated for SDCWGA competitions.
No caddies or galleries are/will be permitted.
It is a condition that a player must use clubs and balls that conform to the requirements in the Equipment Rules. Rule (4) Penalty for Making a Stoke in breach of Rule 4.1a or 4.2a: Disqualification.
Players must always putt out to record a score on a hole in individual stroke play. Any local course rule stating "automatic two putts on temporary greens" must be disregarded.
In multi-ball events, if your score can not assist your team or your partner you may pick up your ball and should record for handicap purposes, the following: the score you most likely would have made if the hole had been completed preceded by an X, not to exceed World Handicap System limit net double bogey.
Scoring is done using the Golf Genius App (free download from Google Play or Apple Store) and putting in the Golf Genius ID (GGID) found on the scorecard. An assigned marker or designated scorer will enter the hole by hole scores. Only the GROSS score is to be entered. Immediately after completing each hole, the players will review and verbally attest the GROSS score. Once the results have been attested the scorecard is considered returned under the Rules of Golf.
Drop Zones are not permitted unless otherwise noted by the SDCWGA Rules Committee.
All scores made in SDCWGA Major Tournaments will be posted as Competition scores.
Out of Bounds, Lost Ball and Provisional Ball (Rule 18). Out of Bounds may be defined by white stakes or lines and perimeter fences. Out of Bounds is ground on which play is prohibited. (Rule 18.2a(2)). Lost Ball, a ball is lost if not found in three minutes after the player beings to search for it. (Rule 18.2a(1)). Provisional Ball - If a ball might be lost outside a penalty area or be out of bounds, to save time the player may play another ball provisionally under penalty of stroke and distance (Rule 14.6) Model Local Rule E-5 is not allowed.
Penalty areas are defined by red or yellow stakes or lines. (Rule 17)
Immovable Obstructions. (Rule 16-1) Included are artificially surfaced cart paths and curbs, yardage markers, ball washers, backflow pipes and valves, pumps, pump housings, electrical control housings, tee signs, drainpipes, drinking fountains, barrier posts and attached ropes, restroom buildings and adjacent plantings and concrete drainage ditches. In addition, if a ball lies in the general area and an immovable obstruction on or within two club-lengths of the putting green and within two club-lengths of the ball intervenes on the line of play between the ball and the hole, the player may take relief as prescribed in Rule 16.1b
Embedded Ball - (Rule 16.3) Anywhere in the General Area
Ground Under Repair - defined by white lines, unless otherwise provided for in Notice to Competitors at specific events. French drains are deemed to be ground under repair. Stones in bunkers are movable obstructions (Rules15)
Distance Measuring Devices. The local rule allowing players to use devices that measure distance only is in effect. However, the use of devices that gauge or measure other conditions that might affect a player's play (e.g. wind or gradient) is not permitted. Penalty for breach of Local Rule: Stroke play is 2 strokes; Match play is Disqualification. See our policy on cell phones and PDA's.
Preferred Lies only when in effect: A ball lying in the general area (or general area cut to fairway height of less) area may, without penalty, be lifted, cleaned and placed within one club length of where it originally lay, but not nearer the hole than the reference point and not in a penalty area or on a putting green. Rule 14.2b(2) and 14.2e.
SDCWGA recommends that you always mark the spot of the ball prior to picking it up so that a reference point is always established.
Accidental Movement of a ball on a Putting Green - When a player's ball lies on the putting green there is no penalty if the ball or ball-marker is accidentally moved by the player, her partner, her opponent, or any of their caddies or equipment. The ball must be replaced on its original spot. (Rule 13.1d)