In order for FilAmNJ members enjoy playing the game of golf especially during competitions, we must always preserve the integrity of the game that we love by strictly observing the etiquette and adhering to the Rules of Golf established by the institution and the local rules adopted by the Rules Committee.

Rule 1
1-3 Agreement to waive rules.
Players must not agree to exclude the operation of any rule or to waive the penalty incurred.

Rule 6
6-5 Ball
The responsibility for playing the proper ball rests with the player. Each player should put an identification mark on his ball. *Each player in a group will inform each other about the identification on the ball being played.

Rule 8
8-1 Advice During a stipulated round, a player must not;
A)Give advice to anyone in the competition playing on the course other than his partner or their caddies.
B) Ask for advice from anyone other that his partner or either of their caddies.

8-2 Indicating line of play.
A)Other than the putting green
Except on the putting green, a player may have line of play indicated to him by anyone. But no one may be positioned by the player on or close to the line or an extension of the line beyond the hole while the stroke is being made. Any mark placed by the player or with his knowledge to indicate the line, must be removed before the stroke is made.

Exception: Flagstick attended or held up(rule 17-1).
B)On the putting green.
When the player’s ball is on the putting green, the player, his partner or either of their caddies may, before but not during the stroke point out a line for putting, but in so doing, the putting green must not be touched. A mark must not be placed anywhere to indicate a line for putting.

Rule 10 Order of Play.
*READY GOLF

Rule 13 Ball played as it lies.
FILAMNJ Rules: The committee may announce the rules before the start of the competition, depending on the playing condition of the golf course.

Rule 16 The putting green
Strictly no “GIMMIES”.

Rule 20
20-2 Dropping and re-dropping
When dropping a ball for the purpose of a penalty stroke or a relief, drop the ball to the proper place no lower than shoulder high.
20-3 Placing and re-placing
A ball must be replaced under the rule, must be placed by the player who lifted or moved it, it must placed (not drop) on the spot from which it was lifted or moved.
20-5Making stroke from where previous stroke made.
a)On teeing ground.
The ball must be played from within the teeing ground and it may be teed.
b)Through the green and in a hazard.
The ball to played must be dropped (not placed )
c)On the putting green.
The ball to be played must be placed.

Rule 25 Abnormal grounds conditions.
Ball Lost
It is a question of fact whether a ball lost after having been struck toward an abnormal ground condition is lost in such a condition. In order to treat the ball as lost in the abnormal ground condition, there must be reasonable evidence to that effect. In the absence of such evidence, the ball must be treated as a lost ball and Rule 27 applies. If a ball is lost in an abnormal ground condition, the spot where the ball last crossed the outermost limits of the condition must be determined and, for the purpose of applying this Rule, the ball is deemed to lie at this spot and the player may take relief as follows:
(i) Through the Green: If the ball last crossed the outermost limits of the abnormal ground condition at a spot through the green, the player may substitute another ball without penalty and take relief as prescribed in Rule 25-1b(i). (ii) In a Bunker: If the ball last crossed the outermost limits of the abnormal ground condition at a spot in a bunker, the player may substitute another ball without penalty and take relief as prescribed in Rule 25-1b(ii). (iii) In a Water Hazard (including a Lateral Water Hazard): If the ball last crossed the outermost limits of the abnormal ground condition at a spot in a water hazard, the player is not entitled to relief without penalty. The player must proceed under Rule 26-1. (iv) On the Putting Green: If the ball last crossed the outermost limits of the abnormal ground condition at a spot on the putting green, the player may substitute another ball without penalty and take relief as prescribed in Rule 25-1b(iii).

Relief
Except when the ball is in a water hazard or a lateral water hazard, a player may take relief from interference by an abnormal ground condition as follows:
(i) Through the Green: If the ball lies through the green, the player must lift the ball and drop it without penalty within one club-length of and not nearer the hole than the nearest point of relief. The nearest point of relief must not be in a hazard or on a putting green. When the ball is dropped within one club-length of the nearest point of relief, the ball must first strike a part of the course at a spot that avoids interference by the condition and is not in a hazard and not on a putting green.

Rule 26. Water Hazard and Lateral water hazard.
26-1 It is a question of fact whether a ball lost after having been struck toward
a water hazard is lost inside or outside the hazard. In order to treat the ball lost in the water hazard, there must be a reasonable evidence that the ball lodged in it. In absence of such evidence the ball must be treated as lost ball.
REASONABLE EVIDENCE

FILAMNJ LOCAL RULE
If the ball having been struck towards a water hazard and there are no other hazards present within the immediate area of the water hazard and the ball was not found in the area where it has landed, the ball is deemed lost in the water hazard. Otherwise Rule-27-2 applies.

Rule 27
1.Ball lost or out of bounds
If a ball is lost or is out of bounds, the player must play a ball under the penalty of one stroke( Rule 20-5 applies).
Exceptions:
If there is a reasonable evidence that the original ball is lost in:
a) The water hazard.(rule 26-1 applies)
b) The obstructions( rule24-3 applies)
c) Abnormal grounds conditions(rule25-1c applies)
2. Porvisional ball
When a player has to play a provisional ball, he must inform his fellow competitor/s of his intention. If he fails to do so, the ball is not a provisional ball and becomes the ball in play, the original ball has to be abandoned
When a provisional ball to be abandoned?
If the original ball is found with in the time permitted by the rule. The player then will have to continue to play the original ball on the following options:
a)Play the ball as it lies or
b)Declare the ball unplayable and invoke Rule 28.

Breach of Rules
When a player intentionally disregard the rules that applies on a certain play, he commits the act and will incur automatic two stroke penalties in Stroke Play and lost of hole in a Match Play.

FILAMNJ local rule
The Rules Committee may allow a player the option to elect breach of rule, depending on the difficulty of a certain course.
Procedures:
Under one stroke penalty drop a ball two club length from point of entry and after the player holes out, he has to add another two strokes penalty. The minimum stroke penalty for the hole is three strokes.
LOST BALL [FILAMNJ RULE]
Through the green only
During a stipulated round, a ball having been struck towards the fairway where there are no hazards present in the immediate area and at least one of the fellow competitors agreed that the ball has landed in the fairway and could not be found after a thorough searched, a ball may be drop in the supposed area without a penalty stroke.

For complete set of RULES OF GOLF , go to www.usga.org