Tournament Rules Summary

USGA Rules with rules exceptions of the Metro St. Louis Seniors Golf Association (MSLSGA) govern the play of golf on all courses and tournaments sponsored by Metro St. Louis Seniors Golf.  The following is a simplified condensation.

Full copy of Tournament Rules Summary is available at the bottom of this page.

Keeping it Simple – Hard to Do!

The following are very simplified and condensed.  It is most important that all members review, understand, and follow the detailed rules and interpretations.

Speedy Play and Ready Golf

Metro Seniors encourages speedy play but honors the spirit of golf and fair competition. We play “Ready Golf” to keep a quick pace of play

4 Key Ready Golf Rules in Metro Seniors:

  1. Target time for pace is 4 1/2 hours or better for all tee groups – Less that 15 minutes average per hole
  2. Stay within one hole and/or in sight of the group in front of you (finish within 15 minutes of the group ahead)
  3. Hit when ready and safe (no honor system – be ready to play at all times)
  4. Once started putting, continue putting until holed out

Rules of Play – USGA with limited Metro Seniors Exceptions

The regular weekly golf tournaments will follow the current USGA Rules of Golf for almost all play UNLESS there are specific exceptions by the golf course, or by Metro Seniors.  One prime rule exception – MSLSGA does not allow the Stroke and Distance relief/penalty. Going back to the last play is simply too time consuming. Pace of play would be significantly longer.

IMPROVING LIE

Generally Rules of Golf require playing the ball as it lies.  Metro Seniors exception allows very limited ball movement for lie improvement in the Fairway or regular rough but not for relief from a bush, tree or obstruction or to a better cut of grass.  Also some limited exceptions are allowed for abnormal and unusually wet conditions in sand traps.

Ball Searches Limited to 3 Minutes

USGA and Metro Seniors are limiting ball searches to 3 minutes MAX. This is any search for OB, Red or Yellow Penalty areas, Bunkers, or balls lost in the General Area (fairway or rough). If you have not found your ball in 3 minutes, decide on the penalty option, take your drop, and hit. There is a group behind you waiting.

No matter how inviting, don’t go ball scrounging. This prevents a speedy search and wastes everyone’s time.

LOST BALLS or OUT OF BOUNDS BALLS

USGA Rules of Golf require replay (Stroke and Distance penalty) or Provisional Ball plus penalty stroke for and Out of Bounds or Lost Ball.  MSLSGA does not allow Stroke and Distance relief/penalty of procedure for any situation.

For OB, Metro Seniors allows for playing within 2 club lengths from the crossing of OB boundary (like the Red Penalty area) plus 1 penalty stroke.

For Lost Balls (not OB or in Penalty Areas), members may drop a ball in the most likely “lost” position plus a penalty stroke.

If you think your ball is likely lost or OB, playing a Provisional Ball may be useful, but it must follow USGA rules to be announced and played BEFORE you proceed to search for your first ball.

RED Penalty Areas (Previously identified as Lateral Hazards)

All marked Red Penalty are played per USGA Rules of Golf.   This gives you three (3) options

  • Play it as it lies, no penalty
  • 1 Penalty stroke and Drop within 2 club lengths of where ball last crossed the Red Penalty boundary
  • 1 Penalty stroke and Drop Back-On-The-Line from the hole through the point where the ball last crossed the Red Penalty area. (This in not the line of flight from the last shot.)

Metro Seniors allows UNMARKED heavily wooded areas or deep native grasses to be played as though they were Marked Red Penalty Areas.  

YELLOW Penalty Areas (Previously known as Water Hazards)  

MSLSGA is very forgiving for the Yellow Penalty areas. We play these as Red Penalty areas. If your ball crosses completely over the Yellow Penalty area and falls back in, you may play from the far side of the penalty area. After hitting a ball into a Yellow Penalty area, (1 attempt stroke), Metro Seniors allows a maximum of 3 additional penalty strokes (1 penalty to recover, and 2 penalty strokes) to carry a ball across. Where courses have an MSLSGA approved, marked drop area, after an attempt to cross the Yellow Penalty area, member may play from the drop area, after recording 2 strokes (1 attempt stroke and 1 penalty stroke).  After hitting into the marked water hazard (1 attempt stroke), the ball may be played Back-On-The-Line from the hole through the location where the ball cross the Yellow boundary.

SCORE-KEEPING

Following Rules of Golf, all strokes and penalties are to be counted and recorded on the scorecard.  No more than a quad bogey to include all penalties to be taken or recorded on any hole (a 7 on a par 3, an 8 on a par 4, and a 9 on a par 5).  Members are to verify their score, ID number, tee color played, and name and sign their scorecard. If at any time a member abandons a hole or is required to skip a hole to reduce pace of play, that hole score will be nine (9) strokes.

Pace of Play

Tee Groups are required to record

  • Start Time (time at tee off of first player in tee group)
  • Finish Time (time at Scorer Table pickup of Universal Score Card)
  • Scorer Finish Time (Scorer Official Finish time by scorers)
  • All on Universal Score Card, Course Score Card and Pace of Play Log Sheet for Tee Position

Tournament Rules Summary