POTENTIAL RULES APPLICATIONS
ADVISORY
Please be advised that it is anticipated that all league members and substitutes will acquaint themselves with the AT&T League Rules that can be found at the website attnjgolf.com . The League Rules do not always comply with the USGA Rules in order to improve pace of play and to be as equitable as possible to certain course conditions. It is also anticipated that all golfers will be acquainted with the USGA Rules and apply whichever is appropriate to the situation. A match may be determined by the proper rules interpretation. Make sure your match is won on the golf course based on your ability and not by a rules infraction that cost you the match.
BEAVER BROOK COUNTRY CLUB - FRONT NINE
Hole # 1 Par 5
This hole is situated between holes 17 on the left and 18 on the right, therefore there is no out of bounds that would come into play until reaching the green. Behind the green is Country Club Boulevard. A ball struck onto the road would be out of bounds. This incurs a penalty of one stroke and the ball should be dropped at the point where the ball crossed the boundary and inside the boundary line. DO NOT bring the ball in two club lengths before dropping as this would be closer to the hole and would be an incorrect drop and would incur an additional penalty. Drop to the side of where the ball crossed the boundary at a point that is no closer to the hole. For those that are familiar with playing at Beaver Brook you will find that the white stakes denoting out of bounds behind the green have been removed. The road is now the out of bounds margin since it is not part of the golf course.
Hole #2 Par 5
This hole is situated between number 18 on the right and Country Club Boulevard on the left. The out of bounds margin is Country Club Boulevard on the left. Previously you would have found white stakes but they have been removed and the OB margin is the Boulevard that is not part of the golf course.
The practice area to the left of number 2 is in play. Previously there were white stakes denoting where the out of bounds was. Apply whatever USGA Rule is appropriate if you land in the trees or the practice net area.
Behind the green is not designated as out of bounds so a ball can be played if found. Options; 1) Take an unplayable lie and drop within two club lengths. 2) Go back on a line between the original lie (where you found your ball) and the hole/flag as far back as desirable. This could put you in the grass in the Club entry drive way area. 3) Replay from the point where the original shot was struck. All three options incur a penalty of one stroke.
Hole #3 Par 4
This hole is bordered on the right by Country Club Boulevard and also by private property along the shrubbery. A ball struck out of bounds in or beyond the shrubbery should be dropped at the point where it crossed the margin. In this case the closest point of relief is usually on the opposite (left) side of the cart path. If the ball is near the shrubbery and not OB then you may take the relief on the left of the cart path as cart path stance relief. If you are left-handed and the ball is in play on the right side of the cart path then you may play the ball as it lies or declare an unplayable lie with a one stroke penalty. In this case you may drop within two club lengths of the original spot not nearer the hole. The two club lengths with any club may take you to the left of the cart path on the grass or dirt. Now you can probably invoke cart path stance relief and drop again within one club length after determining the area that offers full cart path relief on the left side of the cart path. Remember that once you take relief you must take full relief and your feet cannot be on the cart path. If a tree is in your line or your swing you do not get relief but must make the correct drop.
Hole #4 Par 3
This short par 3 has woods on the left, trees on the right, Country Club Boulevard is on the back right of the green and private property is behind the green.
Any ball lost in the woods/trees or in the ravine between the tee area and green will incur a penalty of one stroke and dropped where the ball is believed lost.
Any ball struck onto the road is out of bounds. The ball should be dropped at the point where the ball crossed the margin. There are white stakes beyond and to the left of the green. Same rule.
If the ball comes to rest in the rock drainage area to the right of the green and the cart path it is in play. Options are to declare as unplayable and drop accordingly with a stroke penalty. In front of the silver (front) tee area is a low depression. This was once an asphalt path and still has remnants of the asphalt chunks. Based on LEAGUE RULES you may take a free drop if your ball is sitting within the asphalt (consider it as the same as the League’s rock rule).
Hole #5 Par 4
This hole is bordered on the right by out of bounds and on the left by shrubbery. There is also a lateral water hazard on the left approximately 200 yards from the tee that continues along the left rough.
A ball struck into the shrubbery and lost should be dropped within two club lengths of the line where it crossed the shrubbery. It cannot be assumed that the ball went a farther distance.
A ball in the red staked lateral water hazard area could be played under one of the several options. 1) Replay from the original position regardless of where the ball crossed the margin of the hazard. Note: League rules do not allow replay if ball was struck from the tee. 2) Drop within two club lengths from where the ball crossed the margin of the hazard no nearer the hole. 3) Since this is a “lateral water hazard” you may also take your two club length drop on the opposite side of the hazard at a point equidistant from where it crossed the margin. 4) Drop as far back as desired keeping the point in which the ball crossed the margin of the hazard in line with the hole/flag. All four options incur a penalty of one stroke.
If your ball is struck out of bounds to the right then you drop within two club lengths from the point where it crossed the boundary. This would normally be on the left of the cart path. For left-handed golfers refer to my comments on hole #3 if necessary.
Note: You may NOT go back toward the tee as far as you like to take your drop!
The area beyond the green is in play.
Hole #6 Par 4
This hole is bordered by out of bounds on the right and a lateral water hazard on the left about 180 yards from the tee area. Any ball struck into the lateral water hazard on the left will be dropped within two club lengths of the point where it crossed the margin. You probably will incur a terrible stance and ball position. You may not exceed the two club lengths and bring the ball back to the top of the slope. There are other options that would be applicable for lateral water hazards but are not logical options based on the structure of the terrain. There is also a brook approximately 250 to 300 yards from the tee area. This is a water hazard (yellow stakes). Drop on a line from where the ball entered the hazard and the hole on a line as far back as desired. The out of bounds margin on the right continues all the way to the hole. A ball struck beyond the green and over the fence is OB. A ball resting against or near the fence, which is the out of bound marker, may be played by dropping after establishing a point not nearer the hole. Since the fence is not part of the golf course you are not entitled to swing path relief. This incurs a penalty of one stroke for declaring an unplayable lie if that is your decision. Otherwise you can attempt a stroke to move the ball to an acceptable position without penalty. Occasionally, the low area to the left past the brook and between holes 6 and 7 is filled with water. This is casual water and relief is provided accordingly. The ball is dropped within one club length at the closest point of relief (not always behind the casual water). If the ball cannot be recovered a substitute ball can be put into play without penalty.
Hole #7 Par 3
This hole includes a lateral water hazard along the right side, a water hazard fronting the green, a lateral water hazard on the left side closer to the green and a public road beyond the green.
A ball struck to the right of the lateral water hazard on the right is in play and can be played if found. If found in the lateral water hazard it can be played or alternately dropped on either side of the water hazard within two club lengths with a penalty of one stroke. A ball lost in the area to the right of the lateral water hazard should be dropped at the point where it is believed lost with a penalty of one stroke.
A ball struck into the water hazard may be dropped on a line between where it entered the hazard and the hole as far back as desired with a penalty of one stroke.
A ball struck left of the green into the lateral water hazard should be dropped at the point where it crossed the margin with a penalty of one stroke. A ball struck onto the road should be dropped at the point where it crossed the margin with one stroke penalty. (See comments for hole # 1).
There is also a drainage area to the right of the cart path near the green. That area is marked with a red stake as a lateral water hazard. You do NOT get relief from the rocks. Options are to drop with penalty of one stroke on either side of the hazard not nearer the hole. If you drop on the cart path side then you can take cart path relief and redrop if necessary again not nearer the hole. The bridge is an immovable object and relief for swing path or line of sight is provided without penalty. Drop at the nearest point that provides relief not nearer the hole.
Hole #8 Par 4
This hole is bordered on both sides by dwellings and a fence line that is out of bounds. Check for white stakes that indicate the margin for out of bounds. Approximately 25 yards from the black and gold tee area is a drainage area. This is indicated as a water hazard with yellow stakes. Drop behind the point where the ball entered the hazard as far back as desired with one stroke penalty. Beyond the green is a planted (flowers) area. This is considered ground under repair and a free drop is permitted within one club length at the closest point of relief not nearer the hole.
Hole #9 Par 4
This hole is bordered by dwellings on the right with an out of bounds fence and white stakes indicating the margin. On the left approximately 150 yards from the tee area is a parking lot and beyond that a public road. There is also a public road beyond the green.
Apply the league rule by dropping within two club lengths from the point where the ball crossed the margin. A ball struck behind the green and unto the road should be dropped at the point where it crossed the margin. (See comments for hole #1).
Bob Rhodes 3
9/6/2007