Rules Of Play
2026 Glen Acres Men's Club Local Rules for Competitive Rounds
All tournament play is to be by USGA rules except as governed by local rules.
GAMC events are limited to Glen Acres golfing members in good standing, except for events specifically allowing guests.
PREFERRED LIES - Local Rule E-3 Unless superseded by tournament rules, when “Winter Rules” are in effect by posting at the golf course, a ball lying in the General Area may be lifted without penalty and cleaned. Before lifting the ball, the player must mark its position. The player must place the original ball or another ball in and play from relief area; comprising one club-length (fairway) or 6” (rough) from the spot of the original ball, no nearer to the hole and on the same cut of grass (fairway or rough) as spot of original ball in the General Area. A player may place the ball only once, and it is in play when it has been placed (Rule 14.2b(2) and Rule 14.2.e). If the ball fails to come to rest on the spot on which it was placed, Rule 14.3 applies. If the player fails to mark the position of the ball before lifting it or moves the ball in any other manner, such as rolling it with a club, the player incurs a penalty of one stroke.
EMBEDDED BALL – Rule 16.3 The embedded ball rule is in effect in the General Area.
BALL IN ABNORMAL GROUND CONDITION NOT FOUND – Rule 16.1e All members of the playing group must agree that the ball has been lost in the abnormal condition, defined by the Glen Acres Tournament Committee as “any casual water, excessively muddy area, ground under repair or hole, cast or runway on the course made by a burrowing animal, a reptile or a bird. Per Rule 16.1e, the player may take relief by using the estimated point where the ball last crossed the edge of the abnormal ground conditions on the course as the spot for the ball for purposes of finding the nearest point of complete relief.
IMMOVABLE OBSTRUCTIONS: Rule 16.1b Following immovable obstructions where players may take free relief.
Hole 7 & 16 Net
Hole 9 & 18 Retaining Wall
BOUNDARY FENCES: Boundary Object Rule 19.2 Hole 4, 6, 7, 8, & 9. No relief given for boundary fences. Player must play ball as it lies or declare unplayable with associated 1 stroke penalty.
HOLE 9 & 18: Rule 17.1 Comm Procedure 2I entering penalty area behind green may not be played from said area. Play ball from relief area behind green or from previous stroke location.
FLOWER BEDS Rule 16.1f - No Play Zone (Between Hole 3 green and Hole 4 lower tee box, immediately behind Hole 6 upper tee box) are No Play Zones. Relief must be taken under Rule 16.1b
RULE E-5 Alternative to Stroke and Distance for Lost Ball or Ball Out of Bounds is NOT applicable for competitive rounds.
ROOT RULE – Tree roots are NOT considered Abnormal Course Conditions under Rule 16 and relief is not provided under this rule.
UNSURE HOW TO PROCEED? – Rule 20.1 During stroke play, if you are in doubt as to how to proceed under a rule, play a second ball under Rule 20.1c and bring it up for a ruling with the tournament committee immediately following the round (this is required). The committee’s decision is final. During the match play, players must proceed under Rule 20.1b for issue resolution, with no option to play two balls.
DISTANCE-MEASURING DEVICES - Rule 4.3a.(1) A player may obtain distance information with a device that measures distance only in accordance with Rule 4.3. Penalty of breach of Rule 4.3, first breach: General Penalty (2 strokes) and second breach: Disqualification.
PACE OF PLAY: The expectation is that all tournament rounds with the Glen Acres Men’s Club will be completed in 4:45. If a player is consistently unable to meet this expectation, the Men’s Club Board will review the matter and act accordingly.
TIEBREAKERS: When necessary, ties will be broken by comparing the tied players’ scores on the #1 handicap. If still tied, then the #2 Handicap Hole and so on until a winner is determined. If the players remain tied following a review of their scores on all holes played, ties will be broken via a sudden death playoff of the 10th hole.
GUEST POLICY: When guests are permitted to participate, the guest's handicap is subject to review, and guest will play to the assigned handicap. Guests will pay the tournament dues in addition to the applicable greens fee.
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