All the golf clubs should use the Golf Quebec annual Local Rules. They should also add their own local rules that would be in effect all season. These rules should be visible to all the players.
The following introduction should be part of your notice:
PLAY IS GOVERN BY THE 2019 GOLF CANADA RULES OF GOLF, BY THE GOLF QUEBEC STANDARD LOCAL RULES AND CONDITIONS OF COMPETITION AND SPECIFIC RULES FOR PARTICULAR COMPETITIONS.
Those local rules are allowed to modify certain Rules of Golf. Some give more rights and others take away the effect of the Rules of Golf.
This week I will explain the effects when you adopt or not those local rules.
Last week I gave you a few questions on rulings during the 2019 season. All of those rulings were made out of golf courses that did not adopt any Local Rules. The only event that resulted in a penalty is C.
A) During the club championship, a competitor played on the competition course between two rounds
It is only with a local rule in effect that a Committee may restrict practice during a round. Without the local rule, a player is allowed to practice on the same course between rounds
B) A player practised his putting at the end of each holes in Stroke Play
This is also allowed under the Rules of Golf. I think it is a very good idea to restrict the practice.
C) Between hole # 9 and # 10, a player replaced a damaged club (the shaft broken in two by accident)
Without the local rule, a player is not allowed to replace a damaged club even if it was accidental after a stroke. In this particular incident, the player was penalized 4 strokes.
D) A player used a caddie that played in the morning in the same competition
The Rules of Golf permits a player to caddie for another player. The Golf Quebec Local Rules does not give the possibility for a player to caddie for his friend in the same round.
E) With his golf cart, a competitor was always driving near the greens to have a look at the pins
A local rule is necessary if we don’t want a player to get an advantage out of playing with a cart while the other players are walking.
F) A player made a stroke on his ball lying in a flower bed and did some damages.
There is nothing in the Rules of Golf that prohibits a player to hit a ball in a flower bed.
G) A competitor made a stroke on his ball lying on the Clubhouse terrace
You must define exactly where the playing area is. Without white stakes or a proper wording, a player may play his ball anywhere
H) During a junior competition, a young player used a golf cart and also a caddie on a few holes
Nothing in the rules of golf prohibits something based on gender or age.
All of this is only the first step. The Committee must look at the golf course and see the potential issues that might arise in a competition.
Examples:
1. The status of the parking or the Club House or surroundings
2. Drop Zones
3. Sprinklers near the greens
4. Aeration holes
5. Status of certain objects (fences, backstops, pump shacks, etc)
6. 100-150 yards bushes