82nd
Local Rules and Conditions of Competition
(May 23-25, 2009)
Play is governed by the 2008-2009 USGA Rules of Golf and its Decisions and, where applicable, the following Local Rules and Conditions of Competition.
FORMAT: Individual stroke play.
STIPULATED ROUNDS: Three stipulated rounds of 18 holes each. Low 40 and ties advance to third round.
TIES: Ties for first place only will be decided by sudden death playoff commencing at hole number 1. All other ties will split the prize money for the places they tie for.
SERIOUS BREACH OF ETIQUETTE: The use of abusive language, throwing of clubs or other disruptive behavior, contrary to the good conduct of the Championship, will not be tolerated. PENALTY: DISQUALIFICATION (Rule 33-7).
CELLULAR PHONES: The use of cellular phones or any similar electronic device by a player or his caddie during a stipulated round is prohibited. Failure to observe this Condition may result in disciplinary action, including withdrawing a player's playing privileges for the rest of the Championship or for the event the following year.
GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEMS AND HAND HELD RANGE FINDERS: Allowed so long as the device is capable of measuring distance only. If, during a stipulated round, a player uses a device that is designed to gauge or measure other conditions that might affect his play (e.g. gradient, wind-speed, temperature, etc), the player is in breach of Rule 14-3, for which the penalty is disqualification, regardless of whether any such additional functions are actually used.
LIST OF CONFORMING GOLF BALLS: Note under Rule 5-1 and Optional Condition as prescribed in Appendix I shall be in effect.
LIMITATION ON GOLF BALLS ("ONE-BALL RULE"): Optional Condition as prescribed in Appendix I shall be in effect. The ball must be named on the current List of Conforming Golf Balls issued by the USGA and must be of one brand and type as detailed by a single entry on that list. PENALTY: See pages 117-119 of the Rules of Golf book.
OFFICIAL TIME/TIME OF STARTING: The clock at the tee where the player begins his stipulated round is the official time of starting (Dec. 6-3a/2.5). Starters will not page players in advance of their starting time. The note under Rule 6-3 and Optional Condition as set forth in Appendix I shall be in effect. Players should arrive at their assigned tee 10 minutes prior to their starting time.
GROUND UNDER REPAIR: Defined by white lines. French drains are deemed to be ground under repair (Rule 25-1).
DIRT PATHS AND ROADS: Unless designated as ground under repair, dirt paths and roads are integral parts of the course.
WHITE-LINED AREAS TYING INTO ARTIFICIALLY SURFACED ROADS AND PATHS: White lined areas tying into artificially surfaced roads and paths are part of the obstruction (Rule 24-2).
OUT OF BOUNDS: Defined by white stakes (or boundary fences in the absence of stakes) to the right of hole numbers 1, 2 and 3, to the left of hole numbers 10, 11, 14, 15, 16 and 17, and behind the putting greens of hole numbers 2, 3, 9 and 13. Out of bounds behind and to the right of the putting green on hole number 9 and to the left of hole number 10 in the absence of stakes is defined by the inner boundary of the cart path.
DISQUALIFICATION: When a player breaches a Rule or Condition where the penalty is disqualification, the player must leave the course immediately.
EMBEDDED BALL THROUGH THE GREEN: Local Rule as prescribed in Appendix I is in effect.
IMMOVABLE OBSTRUCTIONS CLOSE TO PUTTING GREEN: If a ball lies off the putting green but not in a hazard 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 follows: The ball must be lifted and dropped at the nearest point to where the ball lay that (a) is not nearer the hole, (b) avoids intervention and (c) is not in a hazard or on a putting green. The ball may be cleaned when lifted. Relief under this Local Rule is also available if the player's ball lies on the putting green and an immovable obstruction within two club-lengths of the putting green intervenes on his line of putt. The player may take relief as follows: The ball must be lifted and placed at the nearest point where the ball lay which (a) is not nearer the hole, (b) avoids intervention and (c) is not in a hazard.
EDGING GROOVES AROUND PUTTING GREENS: If a player's ball lies in an edging groove around a putting green, the player may, without penalty, lift the ball, clean it and place it out of the groove in the nearest position to where it lay, whether on or off the putting green, which is not nearer to the hole.
PERMANENT ELEVATED POWER LINES AND CABLES: If a ball strikes a permanent elevated power line or cable on the course, the stroke shall be cancelled and replayed, without penalty (Rule 20-5). If the ball is not immediately recoverable, another ball may be substituted.
PROTECTION OF YOUNG TREES: If a staked tree interferes with a player's stance or the area of his intended swing, the ball must be lifted, without penalty, and dropped in accordance with the procedure prescribed in Rule 24-2b. If the ball lies in a water hazard, the player must lift and drop the ball in accordance with Rule 24-2b(i) except that the nearest point of relief must be in the water hazard and the ball must be dropped in the water hazard or the player may proceed under Rule 26. The ball may be cleaned when lifted. Exception: A player may not take relief under this Local Rule if (a) it is clearly unreasonable for him to make a stroke because of interference by anything other than the tree or (b) interference by the tree would occur only through use of an unnecessarily abnormal stance, swing or direction of play. PENALTY: Two strokes.
STONES IN BUNKERS: Stones in bunkers are movable obstructions (Rule 24-1 applies).
PLAYER CARTS AND SPECTATOR CARTS: A maximum of two carts is allowed per group. Absent extraordinary circumstances approved in advance by the Committee, spectator carts are not allowed. A spectator cart is defined as a cart which is not used to transport a player's clubs, and the person(s) in the cart is (are) not a player or a player's caddie. A player cart may be used by the player and/or his caddie to transport a player's clubs. A player may walk and his caddie may drive. A caddie may carry a player's bag and the player may ride. A non-player who drives the cart used to transport the player's clubs is a caddie (Decision 6-4/2.5). Only the player or his caddie may ride in the cart. If a person other than the player or his caddie moves the cart in a "casual act" the Rules of Golf do not consider this individual to be a caddie or the player to have two caddies. There is no breach of Rule 6-4.
PACE OF PLAY POLICY: A player shall be subject to penalty if he unduly delays play. Notes 1 and 2 under Rule 6-7 are in effect. Rule 6-7 states, in part: "The player shall play without undue delay and in accordance with any pace of play guidelines which may be laid down by the Committee" and thereafter prescribes penalties for slow play. The Committee has established a maximum period of time allowed to complete the stipulated rounds and each hole. Players should consult their scorecards for the guidelines.
SCORECARDS:
