Local Rules

 

Range Finders:   Daytona Men's Club has adopted a local rule which permits the use of devices that measure distance (range finders, GPS, etc).  In accordance with USGA rules, allowable devices are devices that measure distance only (i.e., the device may not be used to measure other conditions such as wind-speed or the slope of the ground). (USGA Decision 14-3/0.5). 

 

Spike Marks:   Rule 16-1c permits the repair of old hole plugs and ball marks but does not permit the repair of spike damage or other irregularities of surface on the putting green if they are on a player`s line of play or putt or might assist him in his subsequent play of the hole.  Daytona Men's Club has adopted a local rule which permits a player to repair spike marks and other man made irregularities on the green.

 

Forward/Gold Tees:  Forward tees may be played by any member who is 65 years or older as of April 15th of the calendar year or by any member who has a USGA handicap index of  20 or above. Once the under 65 player’s handicap index drops to 17 or less he must play from the White Tees.

 

Players who qualify to play from the Gold tees may elect to play an event from the White Tees but must inform the event committee prior to the start of the round.

 

When Gold Tee players compete in events together with White Tee players, Sec 3/5 of the USGA handicapping rules will be in effect.  Under the current ratings for Daytona, this means that players playing from the White Tees will recieve 4 additional stokes on to their course handicap for that round.

Rules Interpretations

 

What are my options if my ball is in a yellow staked Water Hazard? (USGA Rule 26-1):
If a ball is in a yellow staked water hazard (whether or not it is in water), you have three options:
    a. Play the ball as it lies (NO PENALTY); or
   b. Return and play a ball from the spot from which the original ball was last played (ADD 1 STROKE PENALTY); or
    c. Drop a ball behind the water hazard, keeping the point at which the original ball last crossed the margin of the water hazard directly between the     hole and the spot on which the ball is dropped, with no limit to how far behind the water hazard the ball may be dropped (ADD 1 STROKE PENALTY).
 
What are my options if my ball is in a red staked Lateral Water Hazard? (USGA Rule 26-1):
If a ball is in a lateral water hazard (red stakes), you have the same three options as a for a Water Hazard (Yellow Stakes) PLUS you may (if possible) drop a ball within 2 club lengths of:
    i.  the spot where the ball last crossed the hazard but no closer to the hole (ADD 1 STROKE PENALTY); or
    ii. a point on the opposite margin (side) of the hazard, equidistant from the hole (ADD 1 STROKE PENALTY).
 
Do I have to find my ball in a Hazard?:
It is a question of fact whether a ball is in a Hazard.  In order to apply rules of ball in hazard (USGA 26-1), it must be known or virtually certain that the ball is in the hazard. In the absence of such knowledge or certainty, you must proceed under the lost ball rule (USGA 27-1).  (ie:  you cannot assume the ball is in a hazard, you must be certain).
 
 
Can I ground my club (touch the ground) if my ball is in a hazard? (USGA Rule 13-4):
Except as provided in the Rules, before making a stroke at a ball that is in a hazard (whether a bunker or a water hazard), you must not:
    a. Test the condition of the hazard or any similar hazard; or
    b. Touch the ground in the hazard or water in the water hazard with his hand or a club; or
    c. Touch or move a loose impediment lying in or touching the hazard.
 
Note: At any time, including at address or in the backward movement for the stroke, you may touch, with a club or otherwise, any obstruction, any construction declared by the Committee to be an integral part of the course or any grass, bush, tree or other growing thing (ie:  you MAY touch the grass at address or on your backswing of your shot but NOT during a practice swing).

When can I play and how do I play a Provisional Ball? (USGA Rule 27-2):
(a)  Procedure: If a ball may be lost outside of a hazard or out of bounds, you may play another ball provisionally (ie: you cannot play a provisional ball for ball that may be in a hazard).  You must declare the ball a provisional, and you must play it before going forward to search for the original ball (ie: you cannot look for your ball and then play a provisional ball; once you look and subsequently give up looking, the ball is deemed lost).
 
(b)  When provisional ball becomes ball in play:  You may continue to play a provisional ball until you reach the place where the original ball is likely to be (you can hit the provisonal more than once). If you make a stroke with the provisional ball from the place where the original ball is likely to be or from a point nearer the hole than that place, the original ball is lost and the provisional ball becomes the ball in play under penalty of stroke and distance.
 
(c)  When provisional ball to be abandoned:  If the original ball is neither lost nor out of bounds, you must abandon the provisional ball and continue playing the original ball. If you make any further strokes at the provisional ball, you are playing a wrong ball and the penalty provisions of Rule 15-3 apply (ie:  you cannot choose to play the provisional if original ball is found.)
 
Adjusting Hole Scores for Equitable Stroke Control (ESC)™
ESC is an adjustment of individual hole scores (for handicap purposes) in order to make handicaps more representative of a player's potential ability. ESC is applied after the round and is only used when the actual score or the most likely score exceeds a player’s maximum number. ESC sets a limit to the number of strokes a player can take on a hole depending on Course Handicap™. Apply ESC to all scores, including tournament scores. Below is the maximum number a player can take:
    Course Handicap Maximum Number
        9 or less               Double Bogey
        10-19                             7
        20-29                             8
        30-39                             9
   
See Section 4-3 of the USGA Handicap System manual for further reference.

Where do I drop?  How Many Club Lengths?:
The basic guideline is as follows:
    a.  If a player gets "free relief" (NO PENALTY), he must drop his ball within ONE CLUB LENGTH of the nearest point of relief, no nearer the hole.
    b.  If a player is taking relief subject to a penalty, he must drop his ball within TWO CLUB LENGTHS, no nearer the hole.

What is the rule for an embedded ball? (USGA Rule 25-2):
A ball embedded in its own pitch-mark in the ground in any closely mown area through the green may be lifted, cleaned and dropped, without penalty, 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 coursethrough the green. "Closely mown area" means any area of the course, including paths through the rough, cut to fairway height or less.  (Note: The ball may be cleaned.)


How do I resolve a rules interpretation or disagreement on the course?:
If there is disagreement or uncertainty on the application of any rules on the course, the player should play 2 balls (original and “provisional”) on the hole in question.  The rules committee, tournament committee, or event chairman will make a final ruling upon completion of play.