Mission Hills Country Club Local Rules (Revised- 11.13.2023)

 

Play is governed by the USGA Rules of Golf and the following local rules, conditions, and definitions, where applicable:

 

1.  Out of Bounds: Out of Bounds is defined by the course-side points at ground level of white stakes, retaining walls, boundary fences, curbing on public streets, and white lines. All public paved roads are out of bounds; A ball coming to rest on or beyond a public road is out of bounds, even if it comes to rest on another part of the course that is in bounds for other holes. Exception: On holes 5, 6, 8, 10, 13, 14 and 15 of The Pete Dye Course where OB stakes are clearly placed to define OB as any location on the homeowner side of the cart path, OB is determined by the edge of the cart path on the homeowner's side. Here, if a ball is touching or overhanging the cart path, it is in bounds and relief may be taken on the golf course side of the cart path, no nearer to the hole.  If no part of the ball rests on the cart path, it is OB. Similarly, a ball to the right of the cart path along the right side of Pete Dye #1 (by driving range) needs to be touching or overhanging the cart path to be in bounds.

 

2.  Local Rule F5: Immovable Obstructions Close to Putting Greens (“Sprinkler Head Rule”): A sprinkler head close to the putting green is an immovable obstruction. Relief from interference by an immovable obstruction may be taken under Rule 16.1. In addition, the player may take relief under Rule 16.1b if an immovable obstruction is:

                                  *On the line of play, and is:

                                              a. Within two club-lengths of the putting green, and

                                              b. Within two club-lengths of the ball.

 

3.  Penalty Areas (bodies of water) Adjacent to Homeowner’s Property: Ground on the homeowner’s side of such penalty areas is deemed to be out of bounds. This includes holes 6 and 18 on the Dinah Shore Tournament Course, holes 8 and 18 on the Arnold Palmer Course and holes 2, 3, 4, 7, 9, 12, 13, 14, 17 and 18 on the Pete Dye Challenge Course. Hole 12 on the Arnold Palmer Course is an exception as there is clearly turf to the right of the penalty area.
 

4.  Hole #9 on the Pete Dye Challenge Course: The bunker left and short of #9 green is adjacent to a penalty area (the lake). In this instance, the edge of the penalty area is defined by where the sand drops off into the water. The wall between the bunker and the penalty area is an integral object from which there is no free relief.

 

5.  No Play Zones: All flower beds and similar decorative areas are ground under repair from which play is prohibited (no play zones). Relief must be taken under Rule 16 (Abnormal Course Conditions). Exception: a ball in the decorative areas within the penalty areas on hole 6 (DST) and hole 15 (AP) must be played as it lies, or relief taken under Rule 17 with a one stroke penalty.

 

6.  Railroad Ties and Concrete Curbing: When railroad ties and /or concrete and / or stone curbing support or line the edge of a penalty area they are within the penalty area and are deemed to be integral objects. In the absence of painted lines, the outside edge of the railroad ties or curbing defines the edge of the penalty area. A ball touching a railroad tie or curbing is in the penalty area and a player may play the ball as it lies or take one-penalty stroke relief under Rule 17.1d.

 

7.  Local Rule E-1, Drop Zones: A drop zone is provided as an additional option to those listed under Rule 17-1 on holes 5,14, and 18 on the Dinah Shore Tournament Course, 4 and 17 on the Arnold Palmer Signature Course, and 11 and 17 on the Pete Dye Challenge course.

 

8.  Bridge on Hole #18 Tournament Course: The bridge is an immovable obstruction; therefore, if a player's ball is not in the penalty area and the bridge interferes with stance or swing, the player is entitled to relief under Rule 16.

 

9.   Waste Area: On the Pete Dye Challenge Course, the “naturally sandy area” between hole 4 and hole 8 is deemed to be part of the general area (i.e. it is not a bunker). A player whose ball lies in this area may lightly ground his club, take practice swings and other actions allowed in the general area. All other hollowed-out sanded areas will be treated as bunkers whether or not rakes are present.

 

10.  Local Rules E-4 and F-7 Aeration Holes and Seams of Cut Turf (Sod Seams): The Local Rule for each condition as prescribed in the USGA’s Committee Procedures Manual labeled “Model Local Rules” is in effect. Relief on the putting green requires placing the ball while in the general area the ball must be dropped.

 

11.  Abnormal Course Condition: The area of gravel and plants left of the cart path on hole 14 of the DST Course is deemed to be part of the cart path (i.e. the entire area is considered a single obstruction, and one club length free relief may be taken under Rule 16).

 

12.  Local Rule E-5 (Alternative to Stroke and Distance for Lost Ball or Ball Out of Bounds:  is in effect unless otherwise stated in the Conditions of Competition for a specific event. NOTE: THIS RULE DOES NOT APPLY TO PAR 3 HOLES! 

THIS RULE DOES NOT APPLY TO ANY WGA EVENTS