Copies of the Conditions and Local Rules will be available at all qualifying and championships.

 

The Rules of the Royal Canadian Golf Association and its Decisions on the Rules of Golf govern play. See applicable competition’s “Notice to Players” for additional Definitions and Local Rules. Complete text of Rules and Appendix I may be found in the current Rules of Golf.  Unless otherwise provided, penalty for breach of a Local Rule is:

 

 

SECTION A – CONDITIONS OF COMPETITION

 

1.      Specifications of the Ball (Note to Rule 5-1)
Note under Rule 5-1 an Optional Condition as prescribed in Appendix 1/Part C – Condition 1a, “List of Conforming Golf Balls”, is in effect. Penalty for Breach of Condition is DISQUALIFICATION.

2.      Time of Starting (Note to Rule 6-3a)
Optional Condition as prescribed in Appendix 1/Part C- Condition 2, “Time of Starting”, is in effect.

 

3.      Pace of Play (Note 2 to Rule 6-7)
The player must play without delay in accordance with the current GAO Pace of Play guidelines in effect and posted at all tournaments.

Note:  Different Pace of Play guidelines are in effect for different forms of competition. The player is responsible for knowing the Pace of Play guidelines and penalties specific to the event.

 

4.      Transportation
Optional Condition as prescribed in Appendix 1/Part C – Condition 9, “Transportation” is in effect. Except when specifically permitted by the GAO Rules Committee, players must walk at all times during a stipulated round.

 

5.      Practice (Note 2 to Rule 7-2)
Optional Condition as prescribed in Appendix 1/Part C – Condition 6b, “Practice Between Holes”, is in effect.

In a stroke play competition, a player must not play any practice stroke or roll a ball on or near the putting green of the last hole played. If a practice stroke is played on or near the putting green of the hole last played, the player incurs a penalty of two strokes at the next hole, except in the case of the last hole of the round, he incurs the penalty at that hole.

 

6.      Discontinuance of Play (Note to Rule 6-8b)
Optional Condition as prescribed in Appendix 1/Part C- Condition 5, “Suspension Due to a Dangerous Situation” is in effect. All practice areas are closed during suspension for a dangerous situation until the Committee has declared them open.

 7.     Close of the Competition
The competition is deemed to be closed when the trophy has been presented to the winner or, in the absence of a prize ceremony, when all scores have been approved by the Committee.

 

SECTION B – LOCAL RULES

 

1.      Distance-Measuring Devices
A player may obtain distance information by using a device that measures distance only. However, if, during a stipulated round, a player uses a distance-measuring 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.

 

2.      Out of Bounds (Rule 27)
Defined by the nearest inside points of white stakes and/or boundary fence posts at ground level. When out of bounds is defined by a white line on the ground, the line itself is out of bounds.

 

3.      Water and Lateral Water Hazards Stakes and Lines (Rule 26)
When both stakes and lines are used to define water and lateral water hazards, stakes identify hazards and lines define margins.
When a lateral water hazard is defined on only one side, it is deemed to extend to infinity.
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.

 

4.      Ground Under Repair (Rule 25)
a.   Area defined by white lines, including those marked for gallery crosswalks
b.   French drains, which are trenches, filled with rocks or stones
c.   Flower beds, except those in hazards are Ground Under Repair from which play is prohibited.
d.   Through the green, seams of cut turf (not the turf itself) are deemed to be ground under repair. However, interference by a seam with the player’s stance is deemed not to be, of itself, interference under Rule 25-1. If the ball lies in or touches the seam or the seam interferes with the area of intended swing, relief is available under Rule 25-1. All seams within the cut turf area are considered the same seam.

 

5.      Embedded Ball Through the Green (Rule 25-2)
Local Rule as prescribed in Appendix 1/Part B – Rule 3a, “Relief for Embedded Ball”, is in effect.

 

6.      Roads and Paths – White Lines (Rule 24)
White lined areas tying into roads or paths have the same status as the roads and paths, that of obstructions. The line itself is part of the obstruction.

 

7.      Temporary Immovable Obstructions
Local Rule as prescribed in Appendix 1/Part B – Rule 7, “Temporary Obstructions”, is in effect.

 

8.      Wood Chips and Mulch (Rule 23)
Wood chips and mulch are loose impediments, unless otherwise provided for in “Notice to Players”.

 

9.      Stones in Bunkers (Rule 24)
Stones in Bunkers are movable obstructions. Rule 24-1 applies.

 

10.  Integral Parts of the Course
Includes cables, rods, wires or wrappings when closely attached to trees, plastic liners in bunkers and artificial walls and pilings when located in hazards, unless otherwise provided for in “Notice to Players”.

 

11.  Environmentally-Sensitive Areas
Local Rule as prescribed in Appendix 1/Part B – Rule 1, “Areas of the Course Requiring Preservation; Environmentally Sensitive Areas”, is in effect. When Environmentally Sensitive Areas exist at a championship, copies of the Local Rule will be available from the starter.

 

Rules and Competitions Committee
Golf Association of Ontario
Effective 1.1.2008