The official USGA Rules of Golf consist of 34 rules with hundreds of definitions, decisions and clauses. Here are some of the basic rules everyone should know.

1. Giving advice on the course (Rule 8):

You cannot ask what club a fellow-competitor or opponent used, or tell anyone how to execute a swing. You can ask your partner what club she used.

You cannot ask how far it is from your ball (but you can ask what the yardage is from a permanent marker that is public knowledge).

You cannot ask if your ball is playable if someone finds a lost ball for you (but you can ask for Rules of Golf information on what your options are for an unplayable lie).

2. Grounding a club in a hazard (Rule 13-4):

Before hitting a ball out of a bunker or water hazard, you are prohibited from touching the ground in the hazard with your club or hand, even when setting up to the ball. You may not touch or move any loose impediments (such as rocks or leaves), nor test the condition of the sand before hitting.

3. Where to play a ball which is in a water hazard (Rule 26):

You cannot drop a ball along the imaginary line known as the "line of flight."

For a regular water hazard, marked with yellow stakes or lines, there are three options: 1) play the ball as it lies; or, under penalty of one stroke, 2) play another ball from where the original ball was struck into the hazard; or 3) drop behind the hazard, keeping the point where the ball last crossed the margin of the hazard between the hole and the spot on which the ball is dropped.



For a lateral water hazard, marked with red stakes or lines, there are five options, the first three are the same as for a regular hazard. The other two options are also under penalty of one stroke, 4) drop 2 club lengths from the point of entry into the hazard; or 5) drop 2 club lengths from point on the opposite margin, equidistant from the hole.



4. Improving your lie or position by moving growing things (Rule 13-2):

You cannot improve the position or lie of your ball, the area of your intended swing, or your line of play by moving or bending anything growing or fixed, or moving or pressing anything down with your club or foot, unless you are taking your stance or actually making a stroke.

5. Procedure for a lost ball (Rule 27-1):

If a ball is lost or out-of-bounds, the player MUST go back and hit again from the point where the last shot was played (one stroke penalty). If you lose your ball on your drive, you must return to the tee (and may re-tee the ball) to play your third shot, etc.

Golfers commonly look for a lost ball longer than the 5 minutes allowed. The time begins when the golfer or partner start looking for the ball.

6. Playing a provisional ball (Rule 27-2):

When a golfer hits a ball from the teeing ground and feels the ball may be lost or out-of-bounds, she should wait for all other players in the group to tee off, then hit her "provisional" ball. If the first ball is lost or out-of-bounds, the provisional ball will become the ball in play with one penalty stroke. In other words, the player lies three. If the first ball is found on the golf course, it remains the ball in play and the provisional ball MUST be picked up without any penalty. (Remember to always announce that the second ball you're hitting is a provisional and use the word "provisional," or the original ball is out of play and you are lying three.)

Any other time you hit a ball that may be lost or out-of-bounds, you MUST announce and play the "provisional" ball before going forward to search for the first ball. NEVER say "I am going back to hit a provisional ball."

Be sure to clearly identify the two balls with different brands, numbers or marks to be sure which ball is first and which is second.

7. Taking relief from immovable obstructions (Rule 24-2):

If a player's ball comes to rest on or close to an immovable obstruction such as a sprinkler head, road or cartpath, and the lie, stance or area of intended swing is interfered with by this obstruction, the player is allowed to drop a ball within one club length of the nearest point of relief, providing it's no closer to the hole than where the ball originally had come to rest.

The player should determine the nearest point of relief using the club she expects to play her next stoke. Then she may use any club to measure the one club length area in which to drop the ball.

The nearest point of relief is the point where the ball will be played which is nearest to where the original ball lies, which is no closer to the hole and which, if the ball were so positioned, no interference would exist for the lie of the ball, the stance or the intended area of the swing.



8. What to do if your ball is unplayable (Rule 28):

When a ball comes to rest under a large bush, some golfers think they can measure the 2 club lengths from the edge of the bush. This is WRONG -- the 2 club lengths MUST be measured from the ball's position.

There are actually three options for a ball declared unplayable by a player: under penalty of one stroke, 1)play a ball from where the ball was originally played; 2)play a ball within 2 club lengths from where it lies in the unplayable position; or 3)keep the position where the ball lay unplayable between the hole and the spot on which the ball is dropped.



9. Touching the line of putt (Rule 16):

On the putting green, a player may not touch the line of putt other than to: 1)move loose impediments by picking them up or brushing them aside with a hand or club; 2)address the ball; or 3)to mark and lift the ball or remove movable obstructions. The player can repair old hole plugs or ball marks, but not spike marks.

Labels: Rules

The Stableford Tournament has been rescheduled for Saturday, July 19th. Gross and Net Prizes will be awarded. Fees are based on Royal Rewards rates plus $10.00 prize fee. For more information contact Jensen Lardizabal, Head Golf Professional at (805) 343-9459 x107.

Labels: 08News

A 2-Person Best Ball Royal Rewards Member Guest Tournament is scheduled for Saturday, April 19th at 12:00pm. Gross and Net Prizes will be awarded. Fees are $54.00 per player.

Labels: 08News

Congratulations to the following teams!

Gross Winners
1st - Jim Howard and Chris Gray

Net Winners
1st - Mitch Bronson and Doug Amstotz
2nd - Drew Perolio and Allen Hallada
3rd - Carlton Gallant and Steve Deweese

Labels: 08Results

Sign up now for the Men's Club 2-Person Scramble scheduled for Saturday, March 22nd at 11:00am. Gross and Net prizes. Tournament fee is $54.00, based on Royal Rewards discount rates plus $10 prize fee. To sign up call (805) 343-9459 or email jlardizabal[at]kempersports.com.

Labels: 08News

Congratulations to the following members for winning the first Royal Rewards Tournament of 2008.

Gross Winners
1st - Bruce Smith (71)
2nd - Chris Gray (73)
3rd - Todd Grundmeir (73)

Net Winners
1st - Danny Devereaux (65)
2nd - Tony Tiessen (67)
3rd - Carlton Gallant (69)

Labels: 08Results

The first Royal Rewards Member Tournament of 2008 is scheduled for Saturday, March 8th at 11:00am. Gross and Net Prizes will be awarded for this 5-Tee Invitational. Fees are $54.00 per player.

Labels: 08News

Sign up now for the Men's Club Individual Stroke Play tournament scheduled on Sunday, February 24th at 10:00am. Gross and Net prizes. Tournament fee is $54.00, based on Royal Rewards discount rates plus $10 prize fee. To sign up call (805) 343-9459 or email jlardizabal@kempersports.com.

Labels: 08News

Cal Poly's Kappa Mu Chapter of Delta Sigma Pi would like to invite you to participate in the 5th Annual SLO Tour Golf Tournament on April 26th, 2008 at the Monarch Dunes Golf Club.

The 1:00pm Shotgun Start tournament will benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of San Luis Obispo County and The Work Training Programs of San Luis Obispo.

The Big Brothers Big Sisters is seeking to launch a second "High School Bigs" program in San Luis Obispo County with the contribution from this event. This mentor program will reach more at-risk children as well as develop mentors at an early age in our more economically disadvantaged neighborhoods by matching elementary students with high school mentors.

Work Training Programs is dedicated to helping people with disabilities and disadvantages to live and work in our community with dignity and independence. They are currently in urgent need of funding for their transitional living program in SLO County, which is a six-resident home and living program that offer essential living skills for those who are making the momentous leap to living on their own.

If you'd like to participate in or help sponsor this event, visit the SLO Tour website at www.slodeltasig.com/slotour/.

Labels: 08News

Annual Membership fees for the 2008 Men's Club are now due. If you plan to join the Men's Club, please pay your membership dues during your next visit to Monarch Dunes so you'll be eligible to play in our first event on February 23rd!

Annual Dues are $50.00 (applies to Club Championship and prize fund).

Men's Club members must be a Monarch Dunes Royal Rewards Member to join.

For more information or to sign up by phone, contact Jensen Lardizabal, Head Golf Professional at (805) 343-9459 x 107.

Labels: 08News

Become a member of the Monarch Dunes Men's Club and experience the exciting 2008 season. 2008 will feature 8 competitive gross and net tournaments, and a special 2 day Club Championship.

Feb 24, 10:00 AM - Individual Stroke Play
Mar 22, 11:00 AM - 2 Person Scramble
May 10, 11:00 AM - Stableford
Jun 14, 11:00 AM - 2 Person Best Ball
Aug 23, 11:00 AM - Schramble
Sep 13/14, 7:30 AM - Club Championship
Oct 11, 11:00 AM - Triple Threat
Nov 22, 10:00 AM - Turkey Shoot
Dec 06, 10:00 AM - End of the Year Bash

Tournament fees are $54.00, based on Royal Rewards discount rates plus $10 prize fee.

Annual Dues are $50.00 (applies to Club Championship and prize fund).

Men's Club members must be a Monarch Dunes Royal Rewards Member to join.

For more information or to sign up, contact Jensen Lardizabal, Head Golf Professional at (805) 343-9459 x 107.

Labels: 08About, 08Schedule, 2008

The USGA has announced several changes to the Rules of Golf effective next year.

>> USGA Rules of Golf Changes for 2008

Beginning in 08, a golfer will be allowed to lift a ball for identification in a bunker or water hazard (Rule 12-2 and 15-3). However, there now will be a two-stroke penalty for playing a wrong ball from a hazard. In match play, the penalty will be loss of hole.

The penalty for the accidental deflection of a ball by a player, his partner or either of their caddies or equipment will be reduced to one plenty stroke in both match play and stroke play (Rule 19.2).

Another notable change is the reduction in penalty for carrying, but not using, a nonconforming club (Rule 4-1). In stroke play, a player will incur a two-stroke penalty per hole (maximum four strokes per round) instead of disqualification.

Also, the definition of 'advice' was changed so that information on distance can be exchanged. Such information is no longer considered 'advice.'

A rule was changed to allow a flagstick to be removed when a ball is in motion.

Labels: 08News, 2008, Rules