July 2026
Rule #1 – Washout Areas: Washout areas that are not marked require “common sense.” You may drop within one club length of first point of complete relief, no closer to the hole. This applies in the player’s fairway only.
Rule #2 – Waste Areas: These are “must play it as it lies” areas unless the ball lies in a shoeprint or tire track. You may lift, clean and place the ball within one club length of first point of complete relief, no closer to the hole. A waste area is identifiable by the absence of rakes.
Rule #3 – Root Rule: If your ball lies in the line of sight of a tree root that interferes with your swing you may take a drop within one club length of first point of complete relief, no closer to the hole. The focus is to avoid injury or club damage.
Rule #4 – Ants: If your ball lies in or touches an ant hill or if the ant hill interferes with your stance or swing, you may drop within one club length of first point of complete relief, no closer to the hole.
Rule #5 – Bunker: If your ball comes to lie in a footprint or tire track in an unraked bunker, you may lift, clean and place your ball within one scorecard length of the first point of complete relief, no closer to the hole. The ball must remain in the bunker after relief. Bunkers are identifiable by the presence of rakes.
Rule #6 – Obstructions Near Putting Greens: When a sprinkler head is in a player’s putting or chipping line, assuming the sprinkler is within two club lengths of the green and the player’s ball is within two club lengths of the sprinkler, the player gets relief. This also includes damage caused by removal of other moveable obstructions or animal damage. You may drop within one club length of the first point of complete relief no closer to the hole.
Rule #7 – Damage on Greens: When damage is present in a player’s putting line the player gets relief if the damage is so severe that the surface cannot be restored by repair. You may lift, clean and place your ball at the first point of relief no closer to the hole. This does not apply to pitch marks or other inconsistencies that are a result of play.
Rule #8 – Protected Flower Beds: All flower bed areas marked with a blue tipped stake are no play zones and free relief is authorized. Drop within one club length of the first point of complete relief, no closer to the hole.
Rule #9 – Preferred Lies: The relief area for preferred lies has been reduced from within one club length to within one scorecard length. This only applies when preferred lies are in effect as declared by the event (major tournament such as member/guest) organizer, the committee or the club professional. This only applies in the player’s fairway unless specified otherwise.