RULES OF PLAY
DIXIE SENIOR GOLF ASSOCIATION -- Updated November 18, 2025
·The DSGA plays by the Rules of Golf as developed by the USGA and The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews, Est. 1754.
==============================================================================================
-- DSGA Special Rules and USGA Exceptions are listed below or Announced by Tournament Director --
* * * * * * * * * * * *
.MOVING THE GOLF BALL: ‑ ‑ You may roll or lift, clean, and place the ball, no more than one club length any where except in the hazard/out of bounds.
----------------------------------------------------------
.OUT- OF- BOUNDS or LOST BALL:
Out of Bounds: You, along with your playing partners, determine where the ball crossed the out-of-bounds line or the course boundary. When you have determined that point, you may drop a ball within two club lengths, no nearer the hole (this does not include the distance the ball, if lost, might have traveled after it crossed the out-bounds line before coming to rest). Add one penalty stroke to your score and continue play.
Lost Ball: If ball is lost in the woods or somewhere on the course (and not out of bounds), you, along with your playing partners, determine the most likely place the ball is lost. You then drop a ball within two club lengths of that spot, no nearer the hole. Add one stroke to your score and continue play.
----------------------------------------------------------
.HAZARDS: - - USGA rules apply. You must play the ball as it lies. - - (Exceptions listed below).
a)----Sand Bunkers: You must play the ball as it lies. No relief is granted, except the casual water rule... or...If there is a rock in the bunker that you may hit when you try to hit your ball, you may remove the rock but may not move or touch your ball.
b)---- Water Hazard: If in the hazard, you may not, under any circumstance, go to the other side of the water hazard.
c)---- Red Line Hazard: You may drop outside the hazard, within two club lengths of the point where your ball entered or crossed the hazard line, no closer to the hole. Add one stroke to your score and continue play.
d)---- Yellow Line Hazard: You may drop outside the hazard, no closer to the hole, as far back as you wish as long as you keep the point the ball crossed the hazard in line with the hole on the green. You may not drop out on the other side of the water hazard. Add one stroke to your score and continue play.
---------------------------------------------------------
.ROCKS and ROOTS: ‑ ‑ If your ball comes to rest in rocks or lies on or against a root, you may move the ball left or right, within one club llength, no closer to the hole or as far back as you need to, keeping the original spot of the ball in line with the hole on the green. No penalty is assessed for this action.
‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑---
.PACE OF PLAY: ‑ ‑ Please be aware that the pace of play of the slowest golfer/foursome on the golf course, determines the place of play for every other golfer on the golf course. Always remember the "3 minute rule" when looking for a lost ball. In the event slow play becomes an issue within the Association, the player or players involved will be dealt with in accordance with the provisions of the DSGA By‑Laws.
----------------------------------------------------------
.DISCONTINUANCE OF PLAY or RESUMPTION OF PLAY: - - (See USGA rule 6-8A & 6-8B). - - In "short", USGA 6-8 states that: - - - -In the event of Lightning and/or dangerous weather conditions, discontinue Play immediately and seek shelter. Play may later be suspended, resumed or cancelled, as directed by Tournament Director. If the Tournament is not cancelled by Tournament Director and play is resumed, players who do not finish are disqualified.
----------------------------------------------------------
.TEE-BOX ASSIGNMENT: - - As this is a “Senior Golfers” group, all play will be from the “DSGA Senior” Tee’s”, so designated by the tournament Director. (See exceptions below).
[1]--When players reach their 70th birthday, they may play from the “Most Forward Tee’s".
[2]–If players desires to play from a Tee longer than the Senior Tee’s, they may do so, but their score (points made) will be mixed with all other scores when determining winners.
[3]–The Tournament Director may make changes to the above at tournament time, if he feels it's necessary.
‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑
·SCORE CARDS: ‑ ‑ Each group will submit one consolidated scorecard with all players names and points for each hole. Each player is personally responsible for ensuring that his score is accurate is completely and accurately filled out, including your score and points made. Score cards must be turned in before you leave the golf course. Score cards will not be accepted later than stated above unless approved by the Tournament Director.
----------------------------------------------------------
SIGN-UP OR CANCELLATION: - - All members shall sign-up for tournaments via the Team Reach APP. If a member would like to play with other members or guests, they must include these names under the comments within the APP. Other members referenced in the comments must also sign-up via the APP to be eligible to play. If for some reason the player signed-up cannot play, they shall change their choice from “yes” to “no” on the APP.
---------------------------------------------------------
PLEASE KEEP THESE RULES IN YOUR GOLF BAG FOR HANDY REFERENCE
=====================================================================================================
NOTE:
The DSGA By-Laws state (A/1-S/2) ...... the objective of our Association is to provide a means for Gentlemen to enjoy fellowship and play the game of golf. Merriam-Webster’s dictionary defines a "Gentleman" as: “.......a man whose conduct conforms to a high standard of propriety or correct behavior..........” “....... secured only by the Honor of the Participants.”
- - - - - - - - -
Members and Guests playing in all DSGA tournaments are on their Honor to play by the DSGA Rules of Golf unless otherwise instructed by the Tournament Director.
“GIMME PUTTS RULE” - The ball must be within the grip length of a standard putter to be considered good. Grip length means that if your putter head is placed in the hole, the ball must be inside the bottom of the grip on the metal part of the shaft.