The Rules of Golf as approved by the United States Golf Association and
the R&A govern play and, where applicable, by the following Local
Rules and Terms of the Competition.
See applicable championship or qualifying round Notice to Players and
Entry Application for modifications or additions to these Local Rules
and Terms. Complete text of the Rules and Model Local Rules in Section 8
may be found in the Official Guide to the Rules of Golf, effective
January 2023.
Unless otherwise noted, the penalty for breach of a Local Rule is the
general penalty – two strokes in stroke play and loss of hole in match play.
Local Rules
Out of Bounds – Defined by the line between the
course-side points, at ground level, of white stakes and fence posts.
Penalty Areas – When a penalty area is defined on
only one side, it extends to infinity. When a penalty area is
connected to the out-of-bounds edge, the penalty area extends to and
coincides with out of bounds.
Ground Under Repair – Defined by white lines.
French drains are ground under repair.
Animal Near Ball – Model Local Rule E-13 as
prescribed in Section 8 of the Committee Procedures is in effect.
Relief from Seams of Cut Turf – Model Local Rule
F-7, Pg 487 in Section 8 of Committee Procedures is in effect.
Relief is available from the seams but not the cut turf unless
marked or otherwise defined.
White-Lined Areas Tying Into Artificially Surfaced Roads and Paths
– White-lined areas of ground under repair and the artificially
surfaced roads, paths, or other identified obstructions connected to
them are treated as a single abnormal course condition when taking
relief under Rule 16.1.
Wood Chips and Mulch – Are loose impediments.
Integral Objects – Include cables, rods, wires,
and wrappings when closely attached to trees, and artificial walls
and pilings when located in penalty areas and bunkers.
Code of Conduct – The Committee may disqualify a
player for acting contrary to the spirit of the game if it finds
the player has committed serious misconduct, in accordance with
Rule 1.2a.
Penalties other than disqualification may also be imposed in
accordance with Rule 1.2a and Committee Procedure 5I, Pg 416.
- First Offense – Warning
- Second Offense – One-Stroke Penalty
- Third Offense – General Penalty
- Fourth Offense or Serious Misconduct – Disqualification
Prohibiting Use of Caddies – Model Local Rule
H-1.1, Pg 511 in Section 8 of Committee Procedures is in effect.
A player must not have a caddie during the round.
List of Conforming Driver Heads – Model Local Rule
G-1, Pg 503 as prescribed in Section 8 of the Committee Procedures
is in effect.
Replacing Club That is Broken or Significantly Damaged
– Model Local Rule G-9, Pg 507 is in effect.
Grooves and Punch Mark Specifications – Model Local
Rule G-2, Pg 504 as prescribed in Section 8 of the Committee
Procedures is in effect, except as modified by the applicable
championship Entry Application.
List of Conforming Golf Balls – Model Local Rule
G-3, Pg 504 as prescribed in Section 8 of the Committee Procedures
is in effect.
Missing Player or Marker Certification – Model
Local Rule L-1, Pg 520 as prescribed in Section 8 of the Committee
Procedures is in effect.
Pace of Play – See “Optimist Pace of Play”
guidelines on the Optimist website or Notice to Players.
Stopping and Resuming Play – Model Local Rule J-1,
Pg 515 as prescribed in Section 8 of the Committee Procedures is
in effect.
All practice areas are closed during an immediate suspension for a
dangerous situation until the Committee has declared them open.
Players who practice on closed practice areas will be asked to stop.
Failure to stop practicing may result in disqualification.
An immediate suspension will be signaled by one prolonged air horn
note. All other types of suspension will be signaled by three
consecutive air horn notes. Resumption of play will be signaled by
two short notes.
Practice – Prior to and after a round in stroke
play, a player may practice on designated practice areas.
Rule 5.2b covering practice in stroke play is modified as follows:
A player may NOT practice on the competition course before or
between rounds.
See Model Local Rule I-1.1, Pg 514 in Section 8 of the Committee
Procedures. Penalty for breach of Local Rule, see Rule 5.2.
Prohibiting Use of Motorized Transportation –
Model Local Rule G-6, Pg 506 in Section 8 of Committee Procedures
is in effect.
Players must walk unless riding is authorized by the Committee,
such as at designated shuttle points or when they will play, or
have played, again under penalty of stroke and distance.
Ties – Weather and time permitting, ties for first
place will be broken by a sudden death playoff starting at a hole
determined by the Committee.
If two or more players are tied for first, trophies will be awarded
in the order players are eliminated from the playoff.
All other ties will be broken in accordance with the USGA
recommendation in Committee Procedure 5A (6), Pg 402.
All ties, except for first place, will be reported to the various
ranking organizations unbroken.
When Competition is Final – The competition is
final when the trophy has been presented to the winner or, in the
absence of a prize ceremony, when all scores have been approved by
the Committee.
