Rules of Golf

USGA Rules Of Golf

All DVWGC events are played in accordance with the USGA Rules of Golf (augmented by specific Local Rules). These rules exist to level the playing field. They are the glue that holds the game of golf together for all of us. The words in the Rules have been chosen very carefully to be concise and definitive – they must be read and digested very carefully All members are urged to KEEP INTEGRITY AND SPORTSMANSHIP ALIVE IN OUR GOLF PLAY by learning and practicing the Rules.  Players should study and carry a USGA Rule Book. Be a learning expert of the Rules of Golf

USGA Rules of Golf and Smart Phone App

As of January 2019 the USGA implemented some signifiant rule changes.  Beginning in 2023 the USGA will no longer be publishing and/or providing the small booklets with the Rules of Golf, instead you should down load the USGA Rules of Golf app to your Apple IOS or Android smart phone and/or tablet.  You can find this app in the Apple App store or the Google Play store.  The app includes a powerful search feature and is updated with rule changes as they are made by the USGA.  You can run the app in basic or ‘expert mode’ with settings within the app itself.

World Handicap System – new in 2020

As of January 2020 the US through our Arizona Golf Association (AGA) is implementing the World Handicap System.  

Information about this system can be found by clicking the button noted below.  While the new system provides for changing of handicaps every day, the DVWGC Board has decided to continue with past practice of setting handicaps as of the 1st and 15th of every month for weekly play, and 10 days prior to Team Play.  Information on the WHS can be found by clicking the button noted below.

The most significant change for members will be how the maximum score on any given hole can be determined.  The WHS sets the maximum score as:  Par for the Hole + 2 strokes + stroke allocation for the hold based on YOUR handicap.  A chart showing the stroke allocation by hole by handicap for Deer Valley can be accessed by clicking the button noted below. 

PLEASE NOTE:  The guidance on maximum stroke allocation printed on the back of the Deer Valley Score Card IS NO LONGER CORRECT so should not be referenced.  The Rec Center’s will have to print new score cards for ALL the courses once the current inventory is used up.

 

LOCAL RULES FOR ALL RCSCW GOLF COURSES

OUT OF BOUNDS: Out of bounds is defined by white stakes and/or lines, the course edge of public roads, curbs, perimeter fences and residential boundaries. When stakes and/or fencing are used, the out of bounds line is determined by the nearest inside points of the stakes or fence posts at ground level.

PUBLIC ROADS: A ball which crosses a public road defined as out of bounds and comes to rest beyond that road is out of bounds, even though it may lie on another part of the course that is in bounds for another hole.

PREPARED ROCK: Areas of rock closely arranged for a functional purpose (e.g., drainage or erosion control) are deemed to be obstructions. Free relief under Rule 16.1b.

IMMOVABLE OBSTRUCTION NEAR THE PUTTING GREEN: Relief from interference by an immovable obstruction may be taken under Rule 16.1.  The player also has these extra options to take relief when such immovable obstructions are close to the putting green and on the line of play:
Ball in General Area*.  The player make take relief under Rule 16.1b if an immovable obstruction is:
     – On the line of play, and is:
          – Within two club-lengths of the putting green, and
          – Within two club-lengths of the ball.
Exception:  – No Relief If Line of Play Clearly Unreasonable.  There is no relief under the Local Rule if the player choose a line of play that is clearly unreasonable. 

ANIMAL DUNG: At the player’s option, animal dung may be treated as either a loose impediment that may be removed under Rule 15.1 or as ground under repair from which free relief is allowed under Rule 16.1.

 

Approved by Golf Committee 
January 12th, 2023

  • See The USGA Rules of Golf for the definition of “General Area”

DVWGC Local Rules

COMPETITION IN WEEKLY SWEEPS AND CLUB TOURNAMENTS:  Only a paid competitive member of the Deer Valley Women’s Golf Club may COMPETE in weekly sweeps events and Club tournaments.  New competitive members with an AWGA handicap may compete immediately in the Event of the Day.  New competitive members without an AWGA handicap may compete in the Event of the Day after they have 5 attested scores establishing a handicap trend. Prior to having 5 attested scores, a separate game competition may be identified for those competitive members.

Non-competitive members may play with the competitive members on weekly game days without paying sweeps but they must pay the Monitor Fee.

LOCAL RULE FOR WASHOUT RUTS IN SANDY AREAS:  Wash out ruts in sandy (desert) areas of the course are deemed to be Ground Under Repair.  Free relief under Rule 16.1b.

TOURNAMENT PLAY

To enter the Club Championship, President’s Cup, and Match Play events, a player must have an GHIN handicap and Deer Valley must be her SCW HOME COURSE. She must also have been a Member of Deer Valley for thirty (30) days and must have played at least five (5) Tuesdays prior to the first day of the tournament.

AGA MEDALLION COMPETITION

Competition is open to all AGA Members on the Member’s course on a Play Day and will consist of 2 best gross and 2 best net 18-hole rounds out of a designated 4 rounds. It is recommended by the AGA that all Medallion rounds are to be posted as a “C” score (Competition Score) as determined by the local Handicap Committee.

GOLF SAFETY

We must focus strongly on safety, both for ourselves and for others on or near the course. The danger of being struck by a golf ball or golf club, or the danger of a golf car accident, is always there. And the greatest concern of all is the dreadful possibility of hitting a person with a golf ball or a golf club. Only a sense of constant vigilance can succeed in reducing these risks. An additional potential for disaster is the danger of lightning. A golf course is one of the worst places to be in a thunderstorm!

Pace of Play

Ready Golf is defined as including Pace of Play and the following is recommended.  WE CAN REDUCE OUR ROUNDS BY AS MUCH AS 30 MINUTES BY FOLLOWING THESE SIMPLE RULES.

ON THE TEES AND FAIRWAYS:

  • Go directly to your ball and hit it, as long as no one is in your way and is not ready to hit. (if you are 200 yards from the green, it is probably safe to go ahead and hit your next shot!)
  • Cart Driver – Go directly to your passenger’s ball and drop her off.  Immediately proceed to your own ball, hit it, and return to pick up your passenger.
  • Select your club while waiting to hit.  Be ready when your turn comes.  Hit a provisional ball if you think your ball may be lost or out of bounds.
  • If golf cars are not allowed on the fairways, take two or three clubs with you when walking to the ball.
  • Walk briskly between shots and know when it is your turn to hit.
  • 3 minutes maximum search for a lost ball.  The other players should hit before joining in the search

ON THE GREENS:

  • Putt out of turn if “away” players are not ready.  Lag up if a player is off the green and is not ready.
  • Continuous putting – keep putting until you hole out if comfortable.
  • Study your line while others are putting.  Be ready to putt.
  • Proceed to the next tee immediately after holing out. 
  • Put away your clubs and enter scores at the next tee box.

In general –  pace yourself by focusing on where you are in relation the group ahead of you rather than the group behind you.  If you lose pace, let the group behind you play through.

Scorecards and Score Posting (Revised Feb. 7, 2023)

Scorecards must be signed, attested, have the gross and net scores extended, and placed in the basket located at the Monitor’s table.  All scores will be posted by the Monitor before 5:30 on the day of play.  A score report will be run after 5:30 to verify scores.

For all rounds where at least 14 holes have been completed, adjusted scores must be posted for handicapping purposes. Your total ‘adjusted score’ is the actual score for the 14 holes you have played, plus your maximum score for the remaining holes (where maximum score for each hole = Par + your Allocated Strokes for each hole (see reference to chart above)).  

If you complete at least 7 holes, use the method above to scale up to 9 holes and post that score.  If you complete 9 – 13 holes of golf, you should post your 9 hole score.   See the Rules of Handicapping, Section 2.2 Minimum Number of Holes Played for Score to be Accepted.

NOTE:  Our monitory posts our scores in the GHIN system hole by hole, so you do not need to record your ‘adjusted score’ if you exceed your maximum score on any given hole on your score card.