Local Rules
Additional Local Rules for The Clubs at St. James Plantation
These applicable Local Rules are published on the back of each scorecard:
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Out-of Bounds is defined by white stakes with black tops.
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Water Hazards are defined by yellow stakes; Lateral Water Hazards are defined by red stakes.
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Please repair ball marks on greens, rake bunkers and replace divots.
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Please keep carts on paths at all times when around tees and greens.
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All yardages are measured to the center of the green.
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Proper golf attire required at all times.
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Landscaped areas are identified by white pole with a green cap. Players must drop one club-length outside the landscaped area, no closer to the hole without penalty.
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Improved roads are out-of-bounds. Player must play a ball, under penalty of one stroke, as near as possible to the spot from which the original ball was played.
The following additional Local Rules are also in effect:
Provisional Ball
This rule permits the play of a provisional ball under Rule 26-1 for a ball that may be in a water hazard of such character that if the original ball is not found, there is reasonable evidence that it is lost in the water hazard and it would be impracticable to determine whether the ball is in the hazard or to do so would unduly delay play. The ball is played provisionally under any of the available options under Rule 26-1 or any applicable Local Rule. In such a case, if a provisional ball is played and the original ball is in a water hazard, the player may play the original ball as it lies or continue with the provisional ball in play, but he may not proceed under Rule 26-1 with regard to the original ball.
This rule permits the play of a provisional ball under Rule 26-1 for a ball that may be in a water hazard of such character that if the original ball is not found, there is reasonable evidence that it is lost in the water hazard and it would be impracticable to determine whether the ball is in the hazard or to do so would unduly delay play. The ball is played provisionally under any of the available options under Rule 26-1 or any applicable Local Rule. In such a case, if a provisional ball is played and the original ball is in a water hazard, the player may play the original ball as it lies or continue with the provisional ball in play, but he may not proceed under Rule 26-1 with regard to the original ball.
Embedded ball: "Through the Green"
When course conditions exist that might interfere with proper playing of the game, including mud and extreme wetness warranting relief for an embedded ball, this rule permits the lifting, cleaning and dropping the ball. Without penalty, as near as possible to the spot where it lay, not nearer the hole, anywhere through the green including the rough.
Distant measuring devices
A player may obtain distance information by using a device that measures distance only. However, if, during a stipulated round, a player uses a distance-measuring device that is designed to gauge or measure other conditions that might affect his play (i.e. gradient, wind speed, temperature, etc), the player is in breach of Rule 14-3, for which the penalty is disqualification, regardless of whether any such additional functions are actually used.
Drop Areas
The following drop areas have been established per Appendix 1 of the Rules of Golf.
#6 at The Players Club – Ball drop provided on bridge if second shot goes into hazard.
#7 at The Players Club (Men) – Ball drop provided on bridge if tee location is behind hazard.
Aeration holes
Through the green, a ball which comes to rest in or on an aeration hole may be lifted without penalty, cleaned and dropped as near as possible to the spot where it lay but not nearer the hole. The ball when dropped must first strike a part of the course through the green. On the putting green, the player shall place the ball at the nearest spot not nearer the hole which avoids the situation.
Note that the USGA does not give one club-length relief for a ball coming to rest in an aeration hole through the green. Relief in this case is just like dropping from an embedded ball - drop as close to the spot as possible.
Stones in bunkers
Stones in bunkers are deemed to be Movable Obstructions which can present a danger to players and thus may be moved.
Sandy areas with blue stakes
Sandy areas defined by a blue stake are not considered bunkers (under the Rules of Golf there is no such thing as a "waste area" or "waste bunker") and a player whose ball lies in such an area may ground his club lightly in, or remove loose impediments (e.g. gravel) from, the area.
Sandy areas defined by a blue stake are not considered bunkers (under the Rules of Golf there is no such thing as a "waste area" or "waste bunker") and a player whose ball lies in such an area may ground his club lightly in, or remove loose impediments (e.g. gravel) from, the area.
Immovable Obstructions Close to Putting Greens
Relief, without penalty, may be taken from any irrigation head if the irrigation head lies within two club-lengths of the putting green and your ball lies within two club-lengths of the irrigation head. The ball must be lifted and dropped at the nearest point where the ball lay that (a) is not nearer the hole, (b) avoids the intervention and (c) is not in a hazard or on a putting green.
Landscaped Areas
A white pole with a green cap will mark all landscaped areas that are entitled to a free drop. The player may drop one club length outside the landscaped area but not closer to the hole. If a white pole with a green cap is not found in a mulched pine straw area then the ball is in play.
Ground Under Repair
Ground Under Repair is normally defined by white lines or white stakes. If defined by white lines the line itself is in the ground under repair. Even if not marked, the following is considered ground under repair: materials piled for removal, a hole made by a greens keeper, fire ant beds and mounds, French drains (trenches filled with stones or the like). The ball may be dropped within one club, no closer to the hole, without penalty.
Fans
Fans near the greens are considered Temporary Immovable Obstructions. If the fan interferes with swing, stance or line of flight, the ball may be dropped within one club length, no closer to the hole, without penalty.
