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GENERAL PLAYING RULES
NEW RULES FOR 2019
Link to summary of 2019 Rules: CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE LIST OF ALL NEW RULES FOR 2019
BALL IN MOTION
Double hit: Player accidentally hits the ball more than once during a stroke. New rule: No penalty. Current rule: 1-stroke penalty.
TAKING RELIEF
How to drop a ball: New rule: The ball must be dropped straight down from knee height (the height of the player's knee when in a standing position).
Dropping the ball at shoulder height and then playing that ball is a one stroke penalty.
LOCAL RULE
OB or LOST BALL: It is always advisable to hit a provisional ball if there is the possibly your ball will be unplayable. Golfers will now be given the option to drop the ball no closer to the hole (two club lengths in the nearest fairway area ) of where the ball went out of bounds, with a two-stroke penalty.

For an UNPLAYABLE LIE, i.e. in rough, a bush, etc, you can opt to take relief as usual, dropping two club lengths from where the ball is, and taking a one stroke penalty.
Lost ball: Time allowed for a ball search is 3 minutes. A ball is lost if not found in three minutes.
AREAS OF THE COURSE
Putting green: You can putt on the green with an unattended flagstick in hole or remove the flagstick as before. First player to hole out should place or remove the flagstick for the others as required.

Penalty areas: New rule: No penalty if player moves loose impediments, touches the ground with hand or club or grounds the club in a penalty area when the ball is in the penalty area.
Current rule: Loss of hole/2-stroke penalty (with exceptions).
Bunkers: Player moves or touches a loose impediment in a bunker when the ball is in the bunker New rule: No penalty. You still cannot ground club or use your hand/club to test the sand

WHEN TO PLAY
Pace of play: Recommendations on how to play promptly New rule: Recommends that players make each stroke in no more than 40 seconds, and usually in less time.
Current rule: No recommendations are given.
REMINDER OF BY-LAWS
All play will be in accordance with USGA rules and the local rules on the back of the scorecards.

Scores will be posted as regular play except for rounds played in the club championship. Club Championship scores will be posted as tournament scores.

The following rule only applies on the putting green being played and nowhere else on the course:

A ball or ball-marker that is 'accidentally' moved must be replaced (without penalty)whether moved by the player, their partner, their opponents, a caddie or equipment. However, if the ball was moved as a result of wind, water or some other natural cause (including gravity), the ball must be played as it lies from its new location without penalty. This rule only applies to a ball that is accidentally moved, not when a ball is purposely touched/moved, e.g. struck in anger or lifted without having being marked.

Jackllyn Worden
Rules Chairman