All the way to Rule 2! (The Course)

Rule 2 is everything to do with defining a Golf Course – where you can play and where you can’t. In fact, section 2.1 of this rule goes to describe what ISN’T the golf course:

2.1 - “Golf is played on a course. Areas not on the course are out of bounds.”

In considering that statement, it’s probably best to explore the definition of out of bounds which is much longer than rule 2.1:

“All areas outside the boundary edge of the course as defined by the Committee. All areas inside that edge are in bounds. The boundary edge of the course extends both up above the ground and down below the ground:

· This means that all ground and anything else (such as any natural or artificial object) inside the boundary edge is in bounds, whether on, above or below the surface of the ground.

· If an object is both inside and outside the boundary edge (such as steps attached to a boundary fence, or a tree rooted outside the edge with branches extending inside the edge or vice versa), only the part of the object that is outside the edge is out of bounds.

The boundary edge should be defined by boundary objects or lines:

· Boundary Objects: When defined by stakes or a fence, the boundary edge is defined by the line between the course-side points of the stakes or fence posts at ground level (excluding angled supports), and those stakes or fence posts are out of bounds. When defined by other objects such as a wall or when the Committee wishes to treat a boundary fence in a different way, the Committee should define the boundary edge.

· Lines: When defined by a painted line on the ground, the boundary edge is the course-side edge of the line, and the line itself is out of bounds. When a line on the ground defines the boundary edge, stakes may be used to show where the boundary edge is, but they have no other meaning. Boundary stakes or lines should be white.”

All this is great IF the course defines the out-of-bounds regions well. Ruggles? Not so good. Ruggles marks areas of the course as out-of-bounds (like the boundary to the right on Holes #11 and #16 in which the bottom of the telephone poles are painted white. They also mark the edges of trees on left side of #14 adjacent to the driving range. Sometimes there are stakes on the left side of the 18th hole near the driving range. There’s also a REGL local rule that defines the parking lots and driveway to the clubhouse as OB.

If you’re playing USGA rules, there’s only one option for a ball sent out-of-bounds. Re-hit from the location in which you struck the ball last and take a stroke penalty. In REGL, we have the “Canton” Rule which may allows you to drop a ball (with a penalty) within 2 club lengths from the point in which your ball went out of bounds.

Now, if you’re in bounds, the course is defined as having five different defined areas:

- The teeing area of the hole you are playing

- Penalty areas (we used to refer to these was water hazards)

- Bunkers

- The putting green of the hole you are playing

- The general area (which is everything in bounds that ISN”T one of the 4 areas listed above

Important point – EACH ONE OF THESE AREAS HAS ITS OWN SET OF RULES. There are things you are allowed to do on the putting green (in Rule 13) that you can’t do in the general area, there are things that will draw a penalty in a bunker (Rule 12) that you could do somewhere else, etc. When you’re in one of these defined areas, to play within the rules, you must keep in mind the set of rules that apply to that area.

What if your ball is touching two different areas of the course at the same time? Which rules would be followed? First, by definition, a ball is ALWAYS treated as lying in only one are of the course (even though it may be touching two!)

For instance,

1) if your ball is touching the general area and a bunker, it’s in the bunker.

2) If your ball is touching the general area and a putting green, it’s on the putting green.

3) If your ball is touching the general area and a penalty area, it’s in the penalty area

Simple examples so far. How about these:

1) If your ball is touching a bunker and the putting green, it’s in the bunker.

2) If your ball is touching a penalty area and the putting green, it’s in the penalty area.

3) If your ball is touching a penalty area and a bunker, it’s in the penalty area.

The last three are not obvious because there is a precedence for these areas (penalty area, bunker, and putting green) set by Rule 2.2c:

“ Determining Area of Course Where Ball Lies

The area of the course where a player’s ball lies affects the Rules that apply in playing the ball or taking relief.

A ball is always treated as lying in only one area of the course:

· If part of the ball is in both the general area and one of the four specific areas of the course, it is treated as lying in that specific area of the course.

· If part of the ball is in two specific areas of the course, it is treated as lying in the specific area that comes first in this order: penalty area, bunker, putting green.”