• Member Information
    • 2025 Executive Board
    • Committees
    • Bylaws
    • Policies for Regular SJP LGA Niner Play
  • Golf Information
    • Scoring & Handicaps
    • Common Situations Rules
    • Golf Etiquette
  • Calendar and Events
    • Weekly Play
    • Opening Day 2025
Who We Are
  • Member Information
    • 2025 Executive Board
    • Committees
    • Bylaws
    • Policies for Regular SJP LGA Niner Play
  • Golf Information
    • Scoring & Handicaps
    • Common Situations Rules
    • Golf Etiquette
  • Calendar and Events
    • Weekly Play
    • Opening Day 2025

Common Situations

COMMON SITUATIONS RULES CARD 

The Niner Executive Board will hand out a laminated version of this rules card at the beginning of the season.  If you lose yours or do not get one right away, please print a copy so you are aware of the options for some of the most common golf situations you'll encounter.   ​
Common Situations
Procedures
Ball in yellow staked penalty area 
A, B or D
Ball in red staked penalty area
A, B, C or D
​Ball hit out of bounds or lost ball
​(not in penalty area) - Local Rule
​A or M
​Ball in bunker (sand trap, not waste area) 
A, G, K, or L
Unplayable lie (includes up against fence) 
​A, B or E
Hit in marsh on Player #7, #16 or Founders #7 or Reserve #4, #18 - LGA Rule 
J or B
​Abnormal ground conditions
​(casual water, tire tracks, plugged lie in fairway) 
F
Immovable obstruction interferes with swing or stance
​(cart path, drain, etc) 
F
Hitting the wrong ball
H and I
Ball on green hits another ball on green 
H and I
​Giving or asking for advice (stroke play only) 
H
​Putting off green, sprinkler head interference - Local Rule 
F
A
One stroke penalty and hit from prior position
B
One stroke penalty and drop ball as far back as desired on a line straight back from the where ball CROSSED MARGIN of penalty area, no closer to the hole 
C
One stroke penalty and drop laterally within 2 club lengths outside the margin where ball crossed the penalty area, no closer to the hole 
D
Play as it lies, no penalty 
E
One stroke penalty and drop laterally within 2 club lengths,no closer to the hole
F
Free relief - take stance at NEAREST point of relief, drop within 1 club length
G
One stroke penalty and move ball laterally up to 2 club lengths in bunker
H
Two stroke penalty on player hitting ball 
I
Owner of hit ball returns ball to original position
J
Two stroke penalty - may elect to carry ball around marsh to Drop Zone 
K
One stroke penalty and move ball straight back on line of relief in bunker
L
Two stroke penalty and move ball outside the bunker straight back from the HOLE through the lie of original ball 
M
​Two stroke penalty from relief area 2 club lengths laterally onto fairway from where ball crossed margin (white stake) or the spot where the ball is believed lost 
  • Member Information
    • 2025 Executive Board
    • Committees
    • Bylaws
    • Policies for Regular SJP LGA Niner Play
  • Golf Information
    • Scoring & Handicaps
    • Common Situations Rules
    • Golf Etiquette
  • Calendar and Events
    • Weekly Play
    • Opening Day 2025