USGA Rules

Dropping Zone Rule

The following is the official Oregon Golf Association position regarding the placement of dropping zones for water hazards on OGA Member Courses.

The Rules of Golf allow the use of dropping zones per Local Rule in Appendix I/Part B/8. The Local Rule reads:

“If the Committee considers that it is not feasible or practicable to proceed in accordance with a Rule providing relief, it may establish Dropping Zones in which balls may or must be dropped when taking relief. Generally, such Dropping Zones should be provided as an additional relief option to those available under the Rule itself, rather than being mandatory.

Using the example of a Dropping Zone for a water hazard, when such a Dropping Zone is established, the following Local Rule is recommended:

“If a ball is in or it is known or virtually certain that a ball that has not been found is in the water hazard (specify location), the player may:

i. Proceed under Rule 26; or

ii. as an additional option, drop a ball, under penalty of one stroke, in the Dropping Zone.

Penalty for breach of Local Rule:

Match Play – Loss of Hole; Stroke Play – Two Strokes.”

In addition, Decision 33-8/2 states:

Q. The design of a hole is such that a player must hit the ball about 100 yards in order to carry a water hazard. A Local Rule has been adopted to assist players who cannot drive over the hazard by allowing them to drop a ball, under penalty of two strokes, in a Dropping Zone that is located across the hazard. Is such a Local Rule authorized?

A. No. Such a Local Rule substantially alters Rule 26-1b as it allows the player to drop a ball on a part of the course (i.e., on the green side of the water hazard) that the Rule would not have permitted him to reach. Furthermore, the penalty for taking relief under the water hazard Rule (Rule 26) is one stroke, and may not be increased to two strokes by a Committee through a Local Rule – see Rule 33-8b. (Revised)”

The Oregon Golf Association strongly encourages all courses to comply with the Rules of Golf when a Dropping Zone is added through the Local Rule above. Courses, Clubs, and Committees that do not abide by the above Local Rule and related Decision may risk the integrity of scores posted and Handicap Indexes may be jeopardized should Dropping Zones not conform to the above definition.

Cleaning ball and preferred lies

Saps Plays “Through the Green”

The following is the official Oregon Golf Association position regarding the establishment of a Local Rule at OGA Member Courses to deal with unpleasant course conditions. Playing the ball as it lies should be in force if at all possible though the following two Local Rules may be used when the Committee determines that extreme course conditions prevent the proper playing of the game. Note that the Rules of Golf provide two options that are materially different from one another. If conditions require the Committee to extend relief outside of closely mown areas* only Option #1, Cleaning Ball is available – Option #2, Preferred Lies/Winter Rules is not an option under the Rules of Golf outside of closely mown areas*.

Option #1 – Cleaning Ball Appendix I, Part B/4b Through the green* (or a more restrictive area, e.g. on the 6th – 10th holes) a ball may be lifted, cleaned and replaced without penalty. Note: The position of the ball must be marked before it is lifted under this Local Rule – see Rule 20-1.

Option #2 – Preferred Lies/Winter Rules Appendix I, Part B/4c A ball lying on a closely mown area* through the green* (or specify a more restrictive area, e.g. at the 6th hole) may be lifted without penalty and cleaned. Before lifting the ball, the player must mark its position. Having lifted the ball, he must place it on a spot within (define distance [e.g. 6”, one club length]) of and not nearer the hole than where it originally lay, that is not in a hazard and not on a putting green. A player may place his ball only once, and it is in play when it has been placed (Rule 20-4). If the ball fails to come to rest on the spot on which it was placed, Rule 20-3d applies. If the ball when placed comes to rest on the spot on which it is placed and it subsequently moves, there is no penalty and the ball must be played as it lies, unless the provisions of any other Rule apply. 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, he incurs a penalty of one stroke. If a player incurs the general penalty for a breach of this Local Rule, no additional penalty under the Local Rule is applied.

PENALTY FOR BREACH OF LOCAL RULES: MATCH PLAY – LOSS OF HOLE; STROKE PLAY – TWO STROKES *Definitions Through the green is the whole area of the course except:

a. The teeing ground and putting green of the hole being played; and,

b. All hazards on the course.

Closely mown area means any area of the course, including paths through the rough, cut to fairway height or less. Should you have any questions regarding the position above, please contact the Oregon Golf Association. Craig Winter