The rules as written, and the math behind them
Tee times, where you can move the ball, and what it costs when you can’t.
Tee times are assigned on the schedule. To facilitate speedy play, if, at the time you are scheduled to tee off, your foursome has not arrived at the tee box, the next scheduled foursome may tee off. Upon arriving to the tee, late teams that missed their scheduled start time may take the tee box as the next team off. Slow teams please consider letting faster teams or threesomes play through if it is apparent that you are consistently holding up play.
You may adjust your lie and clean your ball if you are in the fairway or 1st cut. You may not move your ball if you are in the rough. On all nights, if your balls lies in casual water (rain-made puddles), it may be moved to the closest dry ground, no closer to the pin. This does not include the natural ditches on the course.
On all nights if your ball plugs in the ground, it may be picked, cleaned and replaced.
You may declare your ball lost or unplayable at any time and take a 1 stroke penalty. You then either 1) re-hit re-tee from the original place, 2) move your ball to a place of nearest relief, no closer to the hole, and not purposefully improving your angle for the next shot, or 3) you can move backward in the direction the ball was hit from as far as you want to place your ball.
You can play the ball here with no penalty. You may also declare your ball unplayable and play it under our lost/unplayable rules above with a 1 stroke penalty.
Out of bounds lines are defined by visible white stakes or by rules set forth on the course's card. 1 stroke penalty and for speed of play, move your ball back in bounds at the point it went out within two club lengths, no closer to the PIN.
Inform your opponent and then move ball off the root to nearest place where swing is no longer unimpeded by root. Ensure you move the ball no closer to the hole and not improving your angle to the pin whatsoever. Moving ball off root does not result in a penalty stroke.
You may NOT move your ball to avoid any trees and stumps. You may move your ball if your swing or shot path is impeded in by any man-made obstacle such as cart path, fencepost, sprinklers, rope, or signs. If your ball goes next to or under a tree, you can move (not break) branches in order to get yourself into position to make a swing. You may break branches accidentally in the act of swinging however with no penalty. Your partner may not assist you such as holding back, bending, or breaking branches to improve your intended golf swing or improve your path to the green. If you are unsure, ask your opponent for permission.
If you suspect your opponent may have improperly scored a hole please confront them at that time not after the match. If someone asks you to verify a score, please don't get mad, just go over the hole with your opponent to verify. Everyone makes a mistake once in awhile. Any disputes that can't be resolved can be brought to the elected league officials where a final decision will be determined via vote.
If a specific exception is not shown in our league rules above, we shall observe the USGA rules of golf for all other rulings.
Any and all rules, exceptional circumstances, and disputes can be brought to the league officers for a decision. The officers will discuss the issue and vote to obtain a majority final decision. The officers majority decision is final and overrides any other conflicting rules.
Rules are shown exactly as written for the 2026 season. Spot something that doesn't look right? Use the feedback button up top — the commissioner reads every note.