2022 Iowa PGA Hard Card

Play is governed by the Rules of Golf effective January 2019, and where applicable, by the following Local Rules and Terms of the Competition. Committee Procedures refers to the Committee Procedures section in the current Official Guide to the Rules of Golf. The Committee refers to the Iowa PGA Rules Committee. Unless otherwise noted, the penalty for breach of a Local Rule in stroke play is the general penalty (two penalty strokes).

1. The following Model Local Rules are in effect for this event:
   1. Model Local Rule B-2.1 Relief on Opposite Side of Red Penalty Area
   2. Model Local Rule E-4 Relief from Aeration Holes
   3. Model Local Rule E-10 Protection of Young Trees (Identified by stakes attached to the trees)
   4. Model Local Rule E-11 Ball Deflected by Power Line
   5. Model Local Rule F-5 Immovable Obstructions Close to Putting Green
   6. Model Local Rule F-7 Relief from Seams of Cut Turf
   7. Model Local Rule F-19 Edging Grooves Near Putting Green
   8. Model Local Rule G-9 Replacing Club that is Broken or Significantly Damaged
   1. Model Local Rule G-6 Prohibiting Use of Motorized Transportation
2. Out of Bounds and Course Boundaries:  Out of bounds is defined by the line between the course-side points at ground level of white stakes and fence posts. Note: A ball coming to rest on or beyond a public road is out of bounds, even if it comes to rest on another part of the course that is in bounds for other holes.
3. Abnormal Course Conditions and Integral Objects
   1. Ground Under Repair:

1. Any area encircled by a white line, including gallery crosswalks (except dropping zones or out of bounds).
2. Newly trenched areas, including grass-covered cables.
3. French drains, which are trenches filled with rocks or stones.
4. 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 in the general area, the player may take relief under Rule 16.1b. But interference does not exist if the seam only interferes with the player’s stance. All seams within the area of cut turf are treated as the same seam in taking relief. This means that if a player has interference from any seam after dropping the ball, the player must proceed as required under Rule 14.3c (2) even when the ball is within one club-length of the reference point.
5. Painted lines or dots in a part of the general area cut to fairway height or less. But interference does not exist if the painted lines or dots interfere only with the player’s stance.
6. Areas in Bunkers where sand has been removed by the movement of water resulting in deep furrows through the sand
   2. Immovable Obstructions:

1. Asphalt and artificially surfaced roads and paths. White lined areas of ground under repair tying into such roads or paths are treated as a single abnormal course condition when taking relief under Rule 16.1.
2. Railroad ties, curbing or other similar artificial edges adjoining cart paths are part of the same obstruction.
3. Secured mats and plastic cable ramps covering cables.
   3. Integral Objects (Free relief not allowed):

1. Artificial retaining walls and/or pilings when located in penalty areas.
2. Wires, cables, wrappings, signs and lightning rods closely attached to trees or objects defining out of bounds.
3. Bunker liners in their intended position. Note: The Committee may treat an exposed liner, not in its intended position, to be ground under repair, but interference does not exist if a liner only interferes with the player’s stance.
   4. Temporary Immovable Obstructions: Model Local Rule F-23 in Committee Procedures is in effect and includes any Temporary Immovable Obstruction installed for the competition.

4. Restrictions on Use of Specific Equipment

1. List of Conforming Driver Heads: Any driver the player uses to make a stroke must have a clubhead, identified by model and loft, which is on the current List of Confirming Driver Heads issued by the USGA. Penalty for Making a Stroke with Club in Breach of this Local Rule: Disqualification. There is no penalty under this Local Rule for carrying, but not making a stroke with a driver that is not on the List of Conforming Driver Heads (See Model Local Rule G-1 in Committee Procedures).
2. Groove and Punch Mark Specifications: In making a stroke, the player must use clubs that conform to the groove and punch mark specifications in the Equipment Rules that took effect on 1 January 2010. Ping Eye 2 irons manufactured before 31 March 1990 with a groove spacing to groove width ratio of 2.3 to 1 are allowed for play under the Rules of Golf, even when this Local Rule is in effect (See Model Local Rule G-2 in Committee Procedures). Penalty for making a Stroke with Club in Breach of this Local Rule: Disqualification. There is no penalty under this Local Rule for carrying, but not making a stroke with a club which does not conform to these groove and punch mark specifications.
3. List of Conforming Golf Balls: Any ball used in making a stroke must be on the current List of Conforming Golf Balls issued by the USGA. This list can be found at www.usga.org. Penalty for Making a Stroke at a Ball Not on Current List in Breach of this Local Rule: Disqualification.

5. Restrictions on Practice
   1. Before or Between Rounds: Rule 5.2 is modified in this way: A player must not practice on the competition course before or between rounds. Penalty for Breach of this Local Rule: Penalty for first breach: General Penalty (applied to the player’s first hole). Penalty for second breach: Disqualification.
   2. Between the Play of Two Holes: A player must not make any practice stroke on or near the putting green of the hole just completed, or test the surface of that putting green by rubbing the putting green or rolling a ball.
6. Procedures for Bad Weather and Suspensions of Play
   1. Methods for Stopping and Resuming Play: A suspension of play for a dangerous situation will be signaled by one prolonged note of a siren or horn. All other suspensions will be signaled by three consecutive notes of a siren or horn. In either case, resumption of play will be signaled by two short notes of a siren or horn. See Rule 5.7b. Note: All practice areas are closed during an immediate suspension for a dangerous situation until the Committee has declared them open.
   2. Removal of Temporary Water on the Putting Green: If a player’s ball lies on the putting green and there is interference by temporary water on the putting green the player may take free relief under Rule 16-1d
7. Committee Pace of Play Policy: See Rule 5.6b (3). The player shall play without delay.  Between completion of a hole and playing from the next teeing ground, the player shall not unduly delay play.  A group will be considered out of position if it is taking more than the allotted time to play and/or reaches the tee on a par 4 or par 5 that is clear of all players.  A group out of position will be subject to individual timing.  The timing of a player’s stroke will begin when the player has reached his ball and it is clearly his turn to play.  A player will be allowed a maximum of 40 seconds to complete his stroke.  If the player exceeds the time limit on one occasion, he will be warned that if he exceeds the time limit on one or more occasion, (total of 2), he will automatically incur a penalty of one stroke.  If the player exceeds the time limit on one more occasion (total of 3), he will incur an additional two-stroke penalty.  If the player exceeds the time limit a total of four times, the penalty is disqualification.  Timing will discontinue when the group has regained its position.  Times previously recorded that have exceeded the limit however will be held over for further occurrence.
8. Returning Scorecard: For the purpose of applying Rule 3.3b (2), a player’s scorecard is treated as returned when the player has first left the scoring area with both feet.
9. Measuring Condition of Putting Greens: Before or between rounds on any day of the competition or play-off, a player or caddie must not use any device that measures the condition (slope, texture, firmness, or moisture level) of any putting green on the course. The use of such a device is only permitted on practice days.
10. When the Result of the Competition is Final:  When all scores have been posted on the official scoreboard and approved by the Committee, the competition is closed.