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EWGA RULES
(updated 7 March 2026) |
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EWGA will play by the USGA Rules of Golf
Players are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the USGA Rules of Golf.
Some abbreviated rules are listed below to aid players.
We recommend that players download the FREE USGA app. Once downloaded, go to settings to turn on expert mode to view all the rules. The app also includes video explanations.
Some abbreviated rules are listed below to aid players.
We recommend that players download the FREE USGA app. Once downloaded, go to settings to turn on expert mode to view all the rules. The app also includes video explanations.
Questions about the rules are welcome and should be directed to the Rules Chair
Section 1: Local Rules
1. Any bare dirt/ground ( not a divot) in the fairway on the hole you are playing
will be treated as Ground under repair even when not marked.
2. Aeration hole. (Local rule E-4) On the putting green, a ball that comes to rest in
or on an aeration hole may be placed at the nearest spot not nearer the hole that
avoids the situation.
Note: Per Definition, Aeration holes and Verti-cuts in the General area are NOT
Ground under Repair and therefore no free relief is given ( unless preferred lies
are in place in your fairway).
3. Preferred lies (Local Rule E-3).Preferred lies will be in effect when the course is
“cart path only” or a particular hole (not a par 3) has been designated as cart path
only. The areas affected are fairway and the closely mowed area around the
putting green. When any part of a player's ball touches the fairway, the player,
with no penalty, may lift, clean and place a ball one time within one club length,
no nearer the hole
4. Damaged areas tying into artificially surfaced roads and paths. (Local rule F
3.2) When areas of damaged ground are right next to artificially surfaced road or
path they are treated as a single abnormal course condition when taking relief
under 16.1.
5. Defining Penalty Areas. (Local Rule B-1)
the penalty area is where the grass and the dense vegetation meet and is
the reference point for taking relief.
present. In the absence of one or more red stakes, player shall use the
contour, natural or mowed, of the lateral area as the boundary.
6. On holes, 5, 8, 12, 13. (Local Rule B-3) If a player does not know whether
their ball is in the penalty area, the player should hit a provisional ball, and may use
any of the relief options under rule 17.1.
If after hitting a provisional ball, the original ball is found in the penalty area
within 3 minutes search time, the player may choose from the following options.
stroke and distance, back-on-the- line relief and lateral relief are not
allowed. The original ball must be hit from the penalty area. (No penalty
stroke)
When the original ball is NOT found within 3 minutes search time or is known or
virtually certain to be in the penalty area, the provisional ball becomes the
player’s ball in play. (One stroke penalty)
7. Dropping Zone on hole #15 (Local Rule E1.1).
If a player’s ball is in the red or yellow penalty area on hole #15, as
an extra option under rule 17.1 the player may drop the original ball or another
ball in the dropping zone.
the ball in an area to the right of the cart path beyond the bridge
approximately 10 feet in front of the penalty area, and 10 feet from the right
of the cart part.
8. Relief from seams of cut turf (Local rule F7).
If a player's ball lies in or touches a seam of cut turf or a seam interferes with the player's area of intended swing, the player may take relief in the general area under rule 16.1b (relief from abnormal course condition). But interference does not exist if the seam only interferes with the player's stance.
1. Any bare dirt/ground ( not a divot) in the fairway on the hole you are playing
will be treated as Ground under repair even when not marked.
2. Aeration hole. (Local rule E-4) On the putting green, a ball that comes to rest in
or on an aeration hole may be placed at the nearest spot not nearer the hole that
avoids the situation.
Note: Per Definition, Aeration holes and Verti-cuts in the General area are NOT
Ground under Repair and therefore no free relief is given ( unless preferred lies
are in place in your fairway).
3. Preferred lies (Local Rule E-3).Preferred lies will be in effect when the course is
“cart path only” or a particular hole (not a par 3) has been designated as cart path
only. The areas affected are fairway and the closely mowed area around the
putting green. When any part of a player's ball touches the fairway, the player,
with no penalty, may lift, clean and place a ball one time within one club length,
no nearer the hole
4. Damaged areas tying into artificially surfaced roads and paths. (Local rule F
3.2) When areas of damaged ground are right next to artificially surfaced road or
path they are treated as a single abnormal course condition when taking relief
under 16.1.
5. Defining Penalty Areas. (Local Rule B-1)
- In addition to marked areas, areas of dense vegetation, such as bushes and
the penalty area is where the grass and the dense vegetation meet and is
the reference point for taking relief.
- All areas adjacent to any body of water (lake, brook, and river) are played
present. In the absence of one or more red stakes, player shall use the
contour, natural or mowed, of the lateral area as the boundary.
6. On holes, 5, 8, 12, 13. (Local Rule B-3) If a player does not know whether
their ball is in the penalty area, the player should hit a provisional ball, and may use
any of the relief options under rule 17.1.
If after hitting a provisional ball, the original ball is found in the penalty area
within 3 minutes search time, the player may choose from the following options.
- Option 1: Continue to play the original ball in the penalty area; abandoning
stroke and distance, back-on-the- line relief and lateral relief are not
allowed. The original ball must be hit from the penalty area. (No penalty
stroke)
- Option 2: Abandon the original ball. Continue to play the provisional ball.
When the original ball is NOT found within 3 minutes search time or is known or
virtually certain to be in the penalty area, the provisional ball becomes the
player’s ball in play. (One stroke penalty)
7. Dropping Zone on hole #15 (Local Rule E1.1).
If a player’s ball is in the red or yellow penalty area on hole #15, as
an extra option under rule 17.1 the player may drop the original ball or another
ball in the dropping zone.
- Hole 15 dropping zone: Use the marked area located on the other side of
the ball in an area to the right of the cart path beyond the bridge
approximately 10 feet in front of the penalty area, and 10 feet from the right
of the cart part.
8. Relief from seams of cut turf (Local rule F7).
If a player's ball lies in or touches a seam of cut turf or a seam interferes with the player's area of intended swing, the player may take relief in the general area under rule 16.1b (relief from abnormal course condition). But interference does not exist if the seam only interferes with the player's stance.
Section 2: EWGA playing rules
1. Picking up your ball during a round. If a player picks up their ball on any hole
the player will not be eligible for flight awards (low gross, low net, putts), but is
still eligible for chip-ins, and birdies. On the recording sheet after play, the player
writes “picked up”. On the score card, the player records an X instead of a score.
There is no total score for the round.
Exception: When a maximum score for an event has been preset or Stableford
format is being used a player may pick up but still qualify for flight awards. (Rule
21))
2. Counting Putts. Once the ball reaches the putting surface, all strokes thereafter
are considered putts.
Section 3: Some Abbreviated USGA Rules
1. Pace of Play: (5-6b) The USGA encourages prompt pace of play. It is
recommended that the player make the stroke in no more than 40 seconds after
she is (or should be) able to play without interference or distraction. Searching
for ball: The USGA states a ball is lost if not found after 3 minutes after search
started.
bounds.
2. Accidental movement of a ball on a putting green.(13.1) When a player’s ball
lies on a putting green, there is no penalty if the ball or ball marker is accidentally
moved by the player, his partner, his opponent or any of their caddies or
equipment. The moved ball or ball-marker must be replaced, Note that if the ball
is moved by wind or water the ball must be played as lies if the ball has not been
previously marked.
3. Embedded ball. (16.3) In the general area only, If a ball is embedded in its own
pitch-mark made as a result of player’s previous stroke the player may take free
relief by dropping the original ball or another ball in the relief area. The reference
point for determining the relief area is the spot right behind where the ball is
embedded. The relief area is 1 club length from the reference point, no closer to
the hole than the reference point and must be in the general area.
4. Loose impediments (12.2/ 15.1) may be removed without penalty, including in a
bunker. If the removal caused the ball to move, there is a one stroke penalty.
5. Hummocks are part of the general area; not a penalty area.
For pace of play, if a player might have hit their ball into the hummock, play a
provisional ball.
If the ball is lost in a hummock (Rule 18)
distance)
b. Take back-on-the- line relief. Back-on-the-line relief allows a
player, using the flag and where the ball rests (reference point) to draw imaginary
line behind the ball. There is no limit how far back the player may go on that line.
The ball must be dropped on that line and can roll up to one club length in any
direction—even toward the hole. (One stroke penalty).
c. Lateral relief. Two club relief on either side of the ball (reference point);
No closer to the hole. (One stroke penalty)
Section 4: Helpful explanations of some terms
(Please refer to the USGA Rules of Golf for a full explanation)
player should hit a provisional ball. Player must announce that they are
hitting a provisional ball. When provisional ball is played from spot nearer
hole than where original ball is estimated to be, the original ball is no
longer in play. A ball is lost if not found 3 minutes after search started (18.1-
3)
judge as to whether the ball is unplayable. The player may take relief under
19.2 a, b or c. (One stroke penalty).
seen before or after a player takes their stance without pressing down
excessively
1. Picking up your ball during a round. If a player picks up their ball on any hole
the player will not be eligible for flight awards (low gross, low net, putts), but is
still eligible for chip-ins, and birdies. On the recording sheet after play, the player
writes “picked up”. On the score card, the player records an X instead of a score.
There is no total score for the round.
Exception: When a maximum score for an event has been preset or Stableford
format is being used a player may pick up but still qualify for flight awards. (Rule
21))
2. Counting Putts. Once the ball reaches the putting surface, all strokes thereafter
are considered putts.
Section 3: Some Abbreviated USGA Rules
1. Pace of Play: (5-6b) The USGA encourages prompt pace of play. It is
recommended that the player make the stroke in no more than 40 seconds after
she is (or should be) able to play without interference or distraction. Searching
for ball: The USGA states a ball is lost if not found after 3 minutes after search
started.
- Match play - The players may agree that one of them can play out of turn to
- Stroke play – The players may play "ready golf" in a safe and responsible
- Provisional ball: USGA encourages a player to play a provisional ball if the
bounds.
2. Accidental movement of a ball on a putting green.(13.1) When a player’s ball
lies on a putting green, there is no penalty if the ball or ball marker is accidentally
moved by the player, his partner, his opponent or any of their caddies or
equipment. The moved ball or ball-marker must be replaced, Note that if the ball
is moved by wind or water the ball must be played as lies if the ball has not been
previously marked.
3. Embedded ball. (16.3) In the general area only, If a ball is embedded in its own
pitch-mark made as a result of player’s previous stroke the player may take free
relief by dropping the original ball or another ball in the relief area. The reference
point for determining the relief area is the spot right behind where the ball is
embedded. The relief area is 1 club length from the reference point, no closer to
the hole than the reference point and must be in the general area.
4. Loose impediments (12.2/ 15.1) may be removed without penalty, including in a
bunker. If the removal caused the ball to move, there is a one stroke penalty.
5. Hummocks are part of the general area; not a penalty area.
For pace of play, if a player might have hit their ball into the hummock, play a
provisional ball.
If the ball is lost in a hummock (Rule 18)
- Option 1: If original ball is not found in 3 minutes, continue play using the provisional ball. (One stroke penalty)
- Option 2: If no provisional ball was played, player must return to the spot where previous stroke was made. (One stroke penalty and loss of distance)
- Option 3: Instead of playing a provisional ball and/or searching for the ball, a player may hit another ball from the spot where the previous stroke was made. This ball becomes the ball in play. (One penalty stroke and loss of distance)
- Option 1: Play the ball as it lies. (No penalty)
- Option 2: Declare the ball unplayable and choose an option below:
distance)
b. Take back-on-the- line relief. Back-on-the-line relief allows a
player, using the flag and where the ball rests (reference point) to draw imaginary
line behind the ball. There is no limit how far back the player may go on that line.
The ball must be dropped on that line and can roll up to one club length in any
direction—even toward the hole. (One stroke penalty).
c. Lateral relief. Two club relief on either side of the ball (reference point);
No closer to the hole. (One stroke penalty)
Section 4: Helpful explanations of some terms
(Please refer to the USGA Rules of Golf for a full explanation)
- General Area covers all areas of the course except teeing area, putting
- Out of bounds is marked by white stakes and/or white lines.
- Lost ball. The player must return to the location where original ball was last
player should hit a provisional ball. Player must announce that they are
hitting a provisional ball. When provisional ball is played from spot nearer
hole than where original ball is estimated to be, the original ball is no
longer in play. A ball is lost if not found 3 minutes after search started (18.1-
3)
- Unplayable ball. The player may declare her ball unplayable at any place on
judge as to whether the ball is unplayable. The player may take relief under
19.2 a, b or c. (One stroke penalty).
- Temporary water is the accumulation of water on the surface of the ground
seen before or after a player takes their stance without pressing down
excessively
