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Local Rules

Jackson Park Men’s Golf Club (JPMGC) competitions follow USGA rules, modified by the local rules below. The USGA centrally administers the rules of golf, consistent with the traditions and spirit of the game. Following the rules is fundamental to fair competition.

The Tournament Chairman(men) and the Rules and Green Committee will act as rules officials during tournaments.

See the USGA Rules of Golf for the official rules. For the Model Local Rules referenced below, see Committee Procedures chapter 8.

Following is the complete list of JPMGC local rules.

Out of Bounds

Out of bounds is designated with white stakes and/or boundary fences. The driving range is OB.

Penalty Areas

The edges of red penalty areas are defined by red stakes or lines, and/or the following physical features:

  1. The outside edges of the rock walls surrounding the ponds on holes 1, 3, 16, and 18.
  2. The place where the ground slopes down to form the depression holding the pond on hole 14.
  3. The place where the ground slopes down behind the hole 10 green.
  4. All edges of natural dense ground vegetation taller than 6 inches at the point where it is growing from the ground.
    When such an edge is on the right or left of the fairway, the penalty area continues right or left from that defined edge.
    Note: Tall grass is not considered natural dense ground vegetation by this definition.

Where red stakes or lines and the above physical features are both present, the edge is the one that makes the penalty area largest.

Reference:

Committee Procedures 2C – Penalty Areas.
USGA 2019 major rule change: Expanded Use of Red-Marked Penalty Areas.

Power Lines

A ball striking a power line must be replayed. No penalty.[1] (A shot that strikes a power pole, guide wire or transformer counts and must be played as normal.)

[1] See Committee Procedures model local rule 8E-11.

Relief from cart path on #5 is to the right

To save time,[2] where the cart path is less than 2 feet from the fence, relief is on the right side of the cart path on hole #5. The ball must be playable to use this local rule. Otherwise, see rule 19 – Unplayable Ball.

[2] Otherwise, the rules require up to three drops to get the same relief.

Stroke and Distance alternative

For a ball lost or out of bounds, JPMGC has adopted Committee Procedures Model Local Rule 8E-5. As an optional alternative to stroke and distance. The Model Local Rule is long, see our synopsis of this rule in Rules FAQ's.

Winter Rules

When winter rules are in effect, a ball lying in the general area[4] may be marked, lifted, cleaned, and placed within one folded scorecard length (6”), no closer to the hole. This may be done once for each lie. (See Committee Procedures model local rule 8E-3 - Preferred Lies.)[5]

[4] The general area is the entire golf course, except: penalty areas and bunkers, and the teeing area and putting green of the current hole.

[5] This local rule was modified in April, 2023. Previously the JPMGC local rule followed the recommendation of WA Golf.

Pace of Play

Pace of Play rules are enforced in some JPMGC tournaments.