Local Rules

A ball striking a power line must be replayed. No penalty.[1] (A shot that strikes a power pole, guide wire or transformer counts and must be played as normal.)

[1] See Committee Procedures model local rule 8E-11.

To save time,[2] where the cart path is less than 2 feet from the fence, relief is on the right side of the cart path on hole #5. The ball must be playable to use this local rule. Otherwise, see rule 19 – Unplayable Ball.

[2] Otherwise, the rules require up to three drops to get the same relief.

To save time, when a player has not played a provisional ball and their ball is lost or out of bounds, instead of stroke and distance, the player may proceed as follows:

Two stroke penalty.

Determine two reference points: the ball reference point is the estimated spot lost or out-of-bounds. The fairway reference point is the closest point to the ball reference point on the fairway of the hole being played that is not nearer to the hole. 

Imagine an arc the same distance from the hole as the ball reference point. The arc extends from two club lengths outside the ball reference point to two club lengths past the fairway reference point. The relief area in which the ball must be dropped is the general area on or behind this arc.[3]

For example, if a tee shot was lost or out of bounds, and the player did not play a provisional ball: the player could add two strokes, drop in the described relief area, and hit their 4th shot from there.

For more details, see Committee Procedures model local rule 8E-5. The USGA web site or mobile rules app has full text and diagrams. Also: Stroke and Distance: New Local Rule.

[3] About 50% of the time, the fairway reference point will be further from the hole than the ball reference point. In that case, the described arc is from two club lengths outside the ball reference point to a point equidistant from the hole two club lengths past a line from the hole to the fairway reference point. If this is confusing, please consult the model local rule and its diagrams for details.

When winter rules are in effect, a ball lying in the general area[4] may be marked, lifted, cleaned, and placed within one folded scorecard length (6”), no closer to the hole. This may be done once for each lie. (See Committee Procedures model local rule 8E-3 - Preferred Lies.)[5]

[4] The general area is the entire golf course, except: penalty areas and bunkers, and the teeing area and putting green of the current hole.

[5] This local rule was modified in April, 2023. Previously the JPMGC local rule followed the recommendation of WA Golf.