Poor Man’s Cup Rules and Etiquette

(Some of these rules are slightly different from USGA, please read even if you’re an experienced golfer)

Rule #1: It’s not that serious! Play fair, be honest, and don’t cheat! There’s no cash prize and we’re playing for fun. If you are caught cheating you will be disqualified from winning the tournament. :(

Clubs: Please use USGA approved clubs, no “cheater clubs”. You are allowed no more than 14 clubs total.

Tee Boxes: You must play in-line with or behind your designated tee markers. You can never play in front of the markers. You can stand outside the tee markers as long as the entirety of your ball is between them.

Lies: 95% of the time you must play the ball as it lies. Here are a few exceptions and how to properly take relief.

Free drops: Cart path, man-made obstructions (sprinkler heads/distance markers), or designated (marked) “ground under repair” zones. If you find your ball in any of these areas you are allotted a free drop. For all three scenarios you will take relief within one club length of the hazard or the nearest playable area. (we’re not in the PGA please do not damage your clubs) You will drop the ball from knee height and play it as it lies.

OB or Lost Balls: You have approximately 2 min from the time you leave your cart (or begin searching in cart) to find a lost ball. If you believe your ball may have been hit somewhere where it will be difficult to find or out of bounds, hit a provisional ball. (announce your provisional shot prior to taking it) If you must play your provisional ball you will take a 1 stroke penalty. If a ball is unexpectedly OB or unfindable you must take a drop at the closest approximate playable area to where the ball was last seen entering the rough and take a 1 stroke penalty. (Ball must not be closer to the hole and must be dropped from knee)

Unplayable Balls: If your ball lands somewhere in the rough that is deemed unplayable (you cannot hit the ball or cannot hit the ball without damaging your club) you must drop within 1 club length of the nearest playable area, and take 1 penalty stroke. “Nearest Playable Area” means closest area you can hit the ball from (not nearest area you can get hit the fairway or green from) If you find yourself in a position where the nearest playable area will not give you potential access to the fairway you can choose to play from the nearest unobscured area giving you access to the fairway or green for a 2 stroke penalty. (Please be reasonable - this is to speed up the pace of play.)

Water: If you hit your ball into the water you must play your ball within 1 club length of the closest playable area from where the ball landed in the water. (this is to speed up the pace of play). You will drop the ball from knee height, the ball must not be closer to the flag. This is a 1 stroke penalty. You can only attempt to hit your ball from the water (for no stroke penalty) if the ball is not completely submerged.

“Whiffed” Balls: If you meant to hit the ball but did not make contact with the ball and the ball did not move or fall off the tee there will be no penalty stroke. If you meant to hit the ball and it falls off the tee or is moved more than 6 inches you will take a 1 stroke penalty.

Balls unintentionally hit or moved: If you clearly unintentionally hit a ball with your person, cart, or club you will replace the ball to the original lie for no stroke penalty. However if you accidentally hit your own ball further than one club length with a club it will result in a 1 penalty stroke. If you intentionally throw, kick, hit or move any ball (other than your own ball with a club) you will take a 3 stroke penalty. The ball will be placed back to the original lie.

Bunkers: You are limited to ONE practice swing that hits the sand while in a bunker. USGA allows no practice swings that touch the sand while in a bunker. I realize none of us are Tiger Woods, but we need to be respectful of the course and not hit copious amounts of sand out of the bunker. You can take as many practice swings that do not hit the sand as you want. You can move obstructions from around your golf ball while in a bunker, you must not move your ball while doing so or it's a one stroke penalty.

Greens: To mark your ball you must place a ball marker or tee behind your ball. Once the ball is marked you can pick it up to clean it or orient it for your putt. You must replace your ball in the same spot (in front of the marker). You can move markers for other players that are putting, just do your best to replace them in the same area. It is a good courtesy to offer to take the pin out of the hole while you're waiting for others to putt, however flag sticks can stay in at all times. Lip outs, toilet bowls, or pop outs are not gimmies! :(

General: Always mark your ball before putting begins to avoid confusion. Always keep your fellow golfers score. Try to remember to place sand in divots on the fairway after swinging and as well as repair divots from your ball on the green.

Rule #1: It’s not that serious! Play fair, be honest, and don’t cheat! There’s no cash prize and we’re plauing for fun. If you are caught cheating you will be disqualified from winning the tournament. :(