LIIRA Golf League Rules

U.S.G.A. rules will govern all play with the following exceptions:

1. Because of the use of Public Courses, it will be necessary to play “WINTER RULES” in the B-C1 Division ONLY, the A-B1 Division will NOT play “WINTER RULES”.
2. For the B-C1 Division ONLY, Winter Rules will only be allowed in the fairway of the hole in which you are playing.
3. For the B-C1 Division ONLY, you may improve your lie, in your own fairway, by moving the ball with your club head a limited distance and no nearer the hole. That distance shall be no greater than ONE FOOT. After this is done, the ball is NOW IN PLAY and all U.S.G.A. rules apply. In the A-B1 Division, you must play the ball “down” or as it lies with no improvement except in rule 4 below.
4. A ball resting in a bunker may be lifted without penalty using the following procedure:
   1. Smooth the sand with the rake. If there is no rake, use your foot.
   2. Place the ball as close to the original spot as possible.
   3. After this is completed, the ball is NOW IN PLAY and all U.S.G.A. rules shall apply.
5. If you find that your ball is lost or out of bounds and you choose not to return to the original hitting spot, under stroke and distance penalty, you may drop a ball in accordance with the new Stroke and Distance rule as detailed on page 7 of these local rules and resume play from that spot with a TWO STROKE PENALTY (see the new USGA rule on page 7 that is adopted as a LIIRA local rule). NOTE: It is advisable to hit a provisional ball whenever you think your ball is lost or out of bounds.
6. A player whose ball is in a washout or bare ground around the greens caused by carts or people, shall be allowed relief without penalty as noted in U.S.G.A. rule 16.1b (former rule 24-2b “Immovable Obstruction”) then be allowed a free drop as noted in U.S.G.A. Rule 14-3 (former rule 20-2).
7. In the B-C1 Division ONLY – The match will be played in accordance with Match Play rules with the exception of playing out of turn on the greens. It is accepted that a player may play out of turn through the green when it will help speed up play and the player does so willingly. This includes continuous putting on the green when a player chooses; he may do so without objection.

All players should carry the 2022 USGA rules of golf (either the physical book or the downloaded app on your Smartphone). The rules should be referred to in the event of a dispute or ruling during the course of play. The two teams should discuss and attempt to reach an agreement on the issue at hand. Whatever is agreed to on the course by the two teams at the time shall be final; even if it is determined the rule interpretation may be different afterwards. If agreement can’t be reached, then play out your balls the best you can and mark your scorecard and file a dispute with the league chairperson. The league chairperson shall confide with the league committee as defined in rule number 1 for a final decision. This is also described in the USGA Rules for match play in Rule 20.1b “Resolving Rules Issues During Round; Rulings by Referee & Committee; Rules Issues in Match Play” (page 168).