GOLF RULES
The USGA rules govern all play. USGA Rules of Golf
In addition, local committee rules may apply. The Clubs of Kingwood published the following Local Rules in 2021.
SPECIAL RULES FOR KWGA
Local Rule E-5 may be used on Playdays, but not in any Tournament.
Rules sheets will be distributed for all major tournaments. If a question arises while playing, play a second ball and discuss it with the Head Pro and the Rules Committee after play. The Head Pro and Rules Committee will make a decision based upon this request.
CADDIES - Caddies and personal instructors are not allowed on Playdays or KWGA events.
PLAYDAY LIFT, CLEAN & PLACE RULE – On Playdays, but not in any tournament, during the months of November, December, January and February, and anytime on holes marked "Cart Path Only" for wetness (excludes course rotation CPO), you may lift, clean and place your ball within one club length (without change of environment, i.e. rough to fairway, fairway to rough, fringe to green) no closer to the hole, from tee to green, excluding penalty areas.
PLAYDAY ROOT RULE – On Playdays, but not in any tournament, if your golf ball lies on or near a tree root (near enough to interfere with your club path), you may lift, clean and place your ball within one club length, no closer to the hole, from tee to green, excluding penalty areas. Please note this rule does not provide for stance relief.
PLAYDAY DIVOT RULE – On Playdays, but not in any tournament, AND ONLY WHEN ANNOUNCED AT CHECK-IN FOR THAT DAY ONLY.
A free drop within 1 scorecard length will be allowed for any ball that comes to rest in any unfilled divot in the fairway, played on the same course, the day after a COK Tournament.
18th HOLE OF THE ISLAND COURSE PLAYDAY RULE - On Playdays, but not in any tournament: You may pick up and mark your score with a 12, taking 4 putts for that hole. For 18-hole League you must declare this BEFORE YOUR BALL IS ON THE GREEN, 9-hole League at any time.
And if in attempting to land on the 18th green, your ball has HIT LAND AND DROPPED BACK INTO THE WATER OR IF YOU HAVE FLOWN THE GREEN AND LANDED IN THE WATER ON THE OTHER SIDE, you MAY use the “DROP ZONE” (marked, or if unmarked is an area one-club length radius from the Pelican. For 18-hole League the Drop Zone cannot be used
for shots hitting the bulkhead and dropping in the water, as the bulkhead is part of the hazard. A one-stroke penalty must be taken if you use the Drop Zone.
10th HOLE OF THE MARSH COURSE PLAYDAY RULE – On Playdays, but not in any tournament, you may hit a provisional ball if you cannot tell if your ball is in the marsh penalty area.
9-HOLE LEAGUE PLAYDAY RULE – On Playdays, but not in any tournament, a player has the OPTION to pick up her ball at any time but MUST pick up upon reaching 12 strokes. In these cases, her score will be a 12 and have 4 putts for that hole. She may continue playing the stipulated round. The round will count for year-end course requirements, putts and Ringers. If done on Island #18 or Marsh #10 the player is eligible to be a winner for that Playday. On any hole other than Island #18 or Marsh #10 the player is not eligible to be a winner for that Playday.
9-HOLE LEAGUE 10th HOLE OF THE MARSH COURSE PLAYDAY RULE – On Playdays, but not in any tournament, a player must hit 2 balls in the marsh before it can be walked over, plus take an additional penalty stroke. Example: if you were in the marsh on 2, out on 3, in on 4, out on 5, walking over on 6, you would be hitting 7 (dropping within 2 club lengths from the marsh). The player would be eligible to be a winner for that Playday.
9-HOLE LEAGUE DROP ZONES PLAYDAY RULE – On Playdays, but not in any tournament, a player may use marked Drop Zones on the following holes with a one stroke penalty: Forest Course #6, Lake Course #13, Marsh Course #5, #8 #14, and Island #18 by the Pelican. Example: on the Marsh Course #8 - if you are in the water on 1, walk over to the drop zone on 2, you would be hitting 3. The player would be eligible to be a winner for that Playday.