2026 SGL Local Rules
SGL LOCAL RULES
Rules Committee:
Head of Rules & Competition: Pete Schaaf
Rules Committee Member: Mark Huttanus
Rules Committee Member: Zach Cain
DOUBT AS TO PROCEDURE:
If there is ANY doubt as how to proceed if unsure of a ruling, please play a second ball.
If there is any doubt as to how to proceed, you must FIRST take a CLEAR picture of the ball in it’s original lie. The picture should include the full context of the situation if possible. You must present to one of the 3 rules committee members listed above as soon as possible.
PREFERRED LIES:
When a player’s ball lies on their own fairway, the player may take free relief by placing the original ball or another ball within an SGL scorecard length (approximately 11 inches).
MAXIMUM SCORE:
All players are REQUIRED to pick up at Gross Quadruple Bogey on any hole and record the maximum allowable score on their scorecard. (Par 3 = 7 Max, Par 4 = 8 Max, Par 5 = 9 Max)
FREE RELIEF: PLAYING FROM BUNKER
If a player’s ball is in a bunker and there is interference by an abnormal course condition, the player may take free relief as follows:
- The player may place the ball in the nearest point of complete relief (within a scorecard length)
- The ball must remain in the bunker.
- An embedded/plugged ball is not considered abnormal ground condition, unless it is embedded/plugged in a man-made abnormal condition.
Abnormal Course Condition examples:
a. Any man-made abnormal condition, including footprints & or poor rake job
If the abnormal condition is not obvious, play 2-balls, take a picture of the ball in the original lie and present to the committee before saving your score in GGK.
LOST BALL/OUT OF BOUNDS (OPTION):
When a player’s ball has not been found or is known or virtually certain to be out of bounds, the player may proceed as follows rather than proceeding under stroke and distance.
For two penalty strokes, the player may take relief by dropping the original ball or another ball anywhere between the ball reference point* and the fairway reference point**.
*Ball reference Point: The point of crossing out of bounds on the hole being played that is nearest to the ball reference point but not nearer the hole.
- Come to rest on the course, or
- Last crossed the edge of the course boundary to go out of bounds
**Fairway Reference Point: The point of fairway of the hole being played that is nearest to the ball reference point but not nearer the hole.
If a provisional ball is played, the player forfeits this optional local rule on their original ball. The player may still use the option on their provisional ball, if neither the original ball or provisional is found.
ABNORMAL GROUND CONDITIONS:
Free relief is allowed if your ball lies in or on the following: new sod, repaired turf, aeration holes or erosion from water in the desert.
CART PATHS:
Improved roads, paths and their extensions are deemed to be immovable obstructions whether or not they are artificially surfaced.
OUT OF BOUNDS:
Defined by white stakes, perimeter walls, fences
and public roads.
RIVER ROCK:
ALL river rock near tee boxes &/or placed for drainage are considered immovable obstructions.
SPRINKLER HEADS:
Players may take line of play relief from a sprinkler head if:
The sprinkler head is within 2 club-lengths of the putting green, and
within 2 club lengths of the ball
STAKED TREES:
Free relief may be taken from all staked trees.
WATER:
Besides temporary (casual) water, any water on the course is to be played as a red penalty area unless otherwise marked.
Playoffs & Ties for Regular Events:
Players who tie for the lead in events where a trophy is not awarded, will split points and money.
Playoff Procedure for Events where a Trophy is Awarded:
The Champion will be decided in a hole-by-hole NET playoff IMMEDIATELY following the completion of play. This will begin on the hole assigned by the course (if permitted) and continued until a Champion is determined. DO NOT LEAVE the premises if you are close to the lead or you will forfeit your place in the playoff. The SGL Board reserves the right to amend the play-off format if the course does not permit us to play extra holes.
OFFICIAL SCORING:
ALL official scoring is to be done via the Golf Games Keeper (GGK) app. A best practice is to keep your own scorecard and confirm with the app scorer in your group upon completion of play.
Any scoring discrepancies to a player’s official score must be brought to the attention of a Board Member prior to the player leaving the facility.