Rules Corner – Where Rules Apply

by Reid Swick
JPMGC Rules Committee

Here are the referenced rules:

Rule 12 – Bunkers. Covers restrictions on touching sand in a bunker.

Rule 13 – Putting Greens. Covers actions allowed when the ball is on the green, wrong greens, flagstick, and ball overhanging the hole.

Rule 16.1 – Abnormal Course Conditions (Including Immovable Obstructions). This includes cart paths and buildings, as labeled in the satellite view. Free relief within one club length of the Nearest Point of Complete Relief.

Rule 17 – Penalty Areas. For penalty area relief procedures. Also see the JPMGC Penalty Area local rule for the definition of a penalty area in JPMGC competitions.

Rule 18 – Stroke-and-Distance Relief; Ball Lost or Out of Bounds; Provisional Ball. Also see JPMGC alternative to stroke and distance local rule.

Refer to the actual rules text for full details.

Idea for this column was suggested at the Mar 2026 board meeting.