Rules/Regs

All ORLGA members will adhere to the USGA Rules of Golf except where modified by the LGA’s Local Rules .

The USGA, in conjunction with The R&A in St. Andrews, Scotland, writes, interprets and maintains the Rules of Golf to guard the tradition and integrity of the game. The two organizations are joint authors and owners of The Rules of Golf and Decisions on the Rules of Golf. Through an agreement with The R&A, the Rules jurisdiction of the USGA includes only the United States, its possessions and Mexico. The latest version went into effect Jan. 1, 2008, with the next revision taking effect Jan. 1, 2012. For a description of these changes visit

USGA Rule Changes for 2008.

Understanding the rules of golf will increase your enjoyment of the game. Below are some pages that hopefully will answer some questions regarding common situations that occur before, during, or after play.

Scorecard Procedures

Ball in Yellow Hazard

Rules Clarifications

Posting 9 Hole Scores

When is a swing a stroke

PR#4 & LP#10 Water Hazards

Where are the Red/Yellow Hazards?

Where do I take my next shot?

Caspian vs Tigress Tees on Tiger’s Eye

Rules of Golf Blog by Barry Rhodes

Relief from Cartpath - Gene Mortensen Video

Relief from Cartpath - Barry Rhodes Video

Did You Know?

1. Switching Markers:

You have marked your ball with a thick marker and lifted your ball from the green. It may interfere with your opponent’s putt. Your opponent requests or you decide to exchange the thick marker with a flat marker. You must first replace the ball to its original position on the green, exchange the flat marker for the thick marker, then lift the ball again.
If you simply reach down, remove the thick marker and replace it with the flat marker, you are in violation of Rule
20-1. It is deemed that the original position of your lifted ball is no longer marked. You incur a 1 stroke penalty.

2. Landscaped Area?

According to Pro Shop personnel, the area to the right and in front of the green on Panther’s hole #10 is not considered a landscaped area. Therefore, there is no free drop from that area.

3. Moving a Marker on the Green

The Rules of Golf-Section 20-1: The position of a ball to be lifted should be marked by placing a ball-marker, a small coin or other similar object, immediately behind the ball. "If the ball-marker interferes with the play, stance or stroke of another player, it should be placed one or more clubhead-lengths to one side."
"It" refers to the ball marker, therefore you do not have to replace your ball on the green before moving your marker.