Condition of Competition & Local Rules

The following Conditions shall apply under Rule 33-1, until further notice, to all tournaments run under the auspices of the IGU:

1. Driving Club
The driver the player carries must have a club head, identified by model and loft, that is named on the current List of
Conforming Driver Head issued by the R&A Rules Limited.

2. Specification of the ball (Note to Rule 5-I) a) List of Conforming Golf Balls) One Ball Condition - Does not apply

3. Time of Starting (Note to Rule 6-3a)

4. Pace of Play (Note 2 to Rule 6-7)

In the absence of mitigating circumstances, a group is liable to be timed if it is in excess of the time allowed and in case of second or subsequent groups, out of position. From the commencement of timing, if any player exceeds 50 seconds on a “first to play shot”, or 40 seconds if it is a “second or third to play shot” , he is deemed to have had a “bad time”

The time allowed will be determined by the Tournament Director/Chief Referee and will be published on the official notice board. Out of position is defined as being more than the starting interval behind the group in front.
A player whose group is timed will have a bad time carried forward in the round even if the group subsequently arrives back in position or within time.

Penalty for Breach of Condition:
One Bad time : Verbal warning from Rules official
Two bad times : One stroke penalty
Three Bad times : Two stroke penalty
Four bad times : Disqualification

5. Suspension of Play Due to a Dangerous Situation (Note to Rule 6-8b)
Note: All practice areas shall be closed during a suspension for a dangerous situation until declared open by the IGU. Players who disregard such closing shall face disqualification.

6. a) Practice
b) Practice Between Holes (Note 2 to Rule 7)
N.B: (1) This prohibition includes rolling a ball on the putting green of the hole last played. (2) This does not apply when there is Match Play event following the Stroke Play qualification.

7. Transportation
(Exception: When permitted to ride by the Rules Committee)

8. Mobile Phones – Players must not use Mobile phones on the Course, except in the case of an emergency. Penalty for breach of this condition will be based on an equitable decision taken by the IGU.

9. Etiquette; Behaviour on the Course - All players must familiarize themselves with the provisions of Section I –Etiquette; Behaviour on the Course, Pages 18-21 of the current Rule Book. Repeated breach of this condition will attract the provisions of Rule 33-7. Disqualification Penalty ;Committee Discretion and possibly, thereafter, not being allowed to participate in a certain number of events as well.

10. Anti Doping
Players must not make use of any drug to enhance performance. Should a player show evidence of use of a drug for non- therapeutic purpose, the Committee may require the player to undergo a drug test. Any player infringing this Condition may be disqualified. Players who are on medication and in doubt as to their clinical status should seek advice from the APGC.

11. Returning of Score Card
A player’s score card is deemed officially returned to the Committee when he has, completely, left the recording office/area.

12. How to Decide Ties
In the event of a tie for first place, there will be a hole by hole play off to determine the winner.

13. Draw sheet for events – The draw sheet will be made as follows: For the 1st round: As determined by the IGU.
For the 2nd round: Reversal of order of play and time of starting (from 1st round)
For the 3rd and 4th round: Based on the gross scores, if there is a tie on gross scores, the card that is turned in first, will be on top of the draw.

14. Result of the Competition Closed
When the final result is announced at the prize presentation ceremony, the result of the competition is deemed to have been officially announced .

15. COMMITTEE’S DECISION – (Rule 34-3). Any dispute or doubtful point on the Rules shall be referred to the Committee, whose decision shall be final. If the Committee cannot come to a decision, it shall refer the matter to the Rules of Golf Committee of
the R&A whose decision shall be final. If the matter has not been referred to the R&A, the player or players may request that an agreed statement be referred through a duly authorized representative of the Committee for an opinion as to the correctness of the decision given. The reply will be sent to this authorized representative.

SECTION B – Local Rules

The following Local Rules, together with any additions or amendments as published by the IGU at each golf course will apply until further notice for all tournaments under the auspices of the IGU.

1. Out of Bounds (Rule 27)
Beyond any wall, fence or white stakes defining the boundary of the course.

Note:
(a) Where out of bounds is defined by white stakes or fence posts
(Excluding angled supports) the line joining the nearest inside points at ground level of such stakes or posts defines boundary. A ball is out of bounds when all of it lies on or over such line.
(b) Where any continuing or adjoining white line is in existence it defines the boundary. A ball is out of bounds when all of it lies on or over such time.

2. Water Hazards (Including Lateral Water Hazards) (Rule 26)
Water Hazards are defined by yellow markers. Where yellow lines are in existence, they define the margin. Lateral Water Hazards are defined by red markers. Where red lines are in existence, they define the margin.

Note: Dropping Zones for Water Hazards
Where there are dropping zones for water hazards, a ball may be played under Rule 26, or ball may be dropped in the dropping zone nearest to where the original ball last crossed the margin of the hazard under penalty of one stroke. When dropping a ball in a dropping zone, the dropped ball where shall not be re-dropped if it comes to rest within two club-lengths of the spot where it first struck a part of the course even though it may finish outside the boundaries of the dropping zone or nearer the hole.

3. Ground Under Repair (Rule 25) (a) All areas bounded by white lines.
(b) Any seam of new turf through the green interfering with the lie of ball or area of intended swing. All seams forming part of the condition are to be treated as the same seam for the purpose of Rule 20-2c (re-dropping).
(c) Stone filled drainage ditches.

4. Embedded Ball – Relief is not extended to “through the green”

5. Immovable Obstructions (Rule 24)
(a) White lined areas adjoining any areas defined as Immovable Obstructions are to be regarded as part of the Obstruction and not GUR.
(b) Landscaped garden areas surrounded by an obstruction are part of that obstruction.

6. Turf Plugs on Putting Green
On any putting green, turf plugs of any size have the same status as old hole plugs and may be repaired under Rule 16-1c.

7. Integral Parts of the Course
(a) Wires, cable, wrapping or other objects where they are closely attached to trees or other permanent objects. (b) Retaining artificial walls and pilings when located within water hazards.

8. Permanent Elevated Cables
If a ball strikes an elevated power line or cable, the stroke must be cancelled and replayed without penalty (see Rule 20-5). If the ball is not immediately recoverable, another ball must be substituted.
Exception: Ball striking elevated junction section of cable rising from the ground shall not be replayed.

9. Temporary Obstructions
Note 1: When a player’s ball lies in, on or under a temporary immovable obstruction or so close to that obstruction that it interferers with the players stance or area of intended swing and relief is required, if dropping zones have been marked, the player MUST drop the ball in the nearest dropping zone, even if it is nearer to the hole.
Note 2: When a temporary immovable obstruction is tied into another temporary immovable obstruction or an immovable obstruction by a white line, it is considered to be one temporary immovable obstruction.

10. On Course Units Used for Lighting
If a ball strikes an on course unit for lighting, the stroke MUST be cancelled and replayed, without penalty (see Rule 20-5). If a ball is not immediately recoverable, another ball may be substituted.
Note: This does not include power supply boxes when not attached to the lighting unit.

11. Stones in Bunkers
Stones in bunkers are movable obstructions.

12. Abnormal Ground Conditions
(a) Relief will be denied for interference to stance from a hole, cast or runway made by a burrowing animal, a reptile or a bird. (b) Fire or bull ant mounds, nests or beds.
Note: In a water hazard, relief from fire or bull ant mounds, nests or beds is provided by Decision 1-4/10.

13. Drainage Channels
Drainage channels adjacent to, on and parallel to golf cart paths should be treated as one obstruction.

PENALTY FOR BREACH OF LOCAL RULES
Match Play – Loss of Hole Stroke Play – Two Strokes

By Order of the Technical, Rules, Amateur Status & the Championship Committees,

The Indian Golf Union,
1st January 2012