Rules

WGA Open Tournaments Rules and Guidelines

This is an abridged version of Section 2 - Rules of Play - that hits the highlights of our rules. If you want full explanations of any rule, or to see other explanations and details, the full rules are located here.

Section 2 Introduction. We want to compete AND have fun. Honestly, the USGA Rules of Golf ... don't always support those goals, and various authorities (The Golf Channel, Harvey Penick, Dustin Johnson) would agree. Therefore, we created some variations that still respect the rules, but also allow amateurs playing ready golf on a public course to enjoy friendly competition.

2.1 - External Parties. While we follow most rules, we are our own authority. Outsiders don't get input. Even with video. Period.

2.2 - Mulligans. Allowed, only on tee shots on Par 4s or Par 5s. The Competition Committee will decide on the frequency. You must declare you are using it before hitting it, and if you do ... you've used it.

2.3 - Gimmies. Allowed for putts under 30 inches at the discretion of the other players in your group.

2.4 - Maximum Scores. We WILL have a per-hole max score established before the tournament. As a result of this, we will also have a max course handicap of 36 regardless of a player's index.

2.5 - Addressing Rule 18. We will ALWAYS adopt the USGA's Model Local Rule E-5. In addition, if a ball can't be found but the players agree should have been findable, the player may proceed following rule 16.1(e) for "Relief for Your Ball Not Found but in or on Abnormal Course Condition".

2.6 - Improving Lies. We LIBERALLY allow any damaged ground to play as an "abnormal course condition" (Rule 16.1).

2.7 - Unplayable Lies. In addition to the three options in the rules, a player may move and place the ball in any closely mown area, no nearer the hole (with a TWO stroke penalty).

2.8 - Avoiding Damage. If a ball is in a place that the player would NORMALLY try to play, but doing so may incur damange or injury, the ball may be moved. This does NOT apply to "unplayable" lies or designed waste/desert areas.

2.9 - Inadvertent Minor Infractions. Don't be a jerk!!

2.10 - Wrong Scorecard. If a scorecard is added up wrong, we fix it. There is no penalty or disqualification. It's a golf competition, not a math olympiad. Sheesh.

2.11 - Ugly Equipment. We've covered this.

2.12 - Local Rules. We follow everything else.

THE WESTERN GOLF ALLIANCE

Keeping It Long and Straight Since 2002™