Rules

1. For the Riggs Open, we normally play one tee up from the back tees. We will notify the competitors before each year's tourney with exact tee info.

2. Play the ball as it lies. Don't touch it unless a rule permits.

3. Play the course as you find it. If a player's swing is blocked by a tree

branch or long grass... he cannot whack down the branch or long grass in

order to give himself room to swing. He must play the course as it is found.

PENALTY FOR BREACH: 1 stroke

4. Each player MUST hole out every putt. PENALTY FOR BREACH: 2 strokes (on

each hole that a breach occurs)

5. Unless the “lift, clean, and place” rule is in effect, you cannot clean

mud or debris from a ball in play, unless you are on the putting green.

6. You must use the same ball throughout a hole (from tee through holing a

putt). You cannot substitute a ball unless you declare it to be damaged and

unfit for play.

7. Out of Bounds is defined by white stakes, perimeter fences, and perimeter

roads. The inside edge at ground level of the stakes, fences, and roads

define out of bounds. PENALTY: Stroke and Distance. (If you think your ball

might have gone out of bounds, it’s wise to play a “provisional” ball. This

will help you avoid having to go back to the location of your last shot.)

8. Water Hazards are marked with yellow stakes. PENALTY: 1 stroke

9. Lateral water hazards are marked with red stakes. Drop within 2 club

lengths from the point the ball last crossed the margin of the hazard, no

nearer the hole. PENALTY: 1 stroke

10. Waste Areas and Sand Traps (The Dustin Johnson Rule) - You ARE ALLOWED to

ground your club in a “waste area”. You CANNOT ground your club in a “sand

trap”. PENALTY: 2 strokes

11. Lost Ball rule - you’ve got 5 minutes to search, and after that, the ball

is considered lost! Add 1 penalty stroke and drop the ball within 2 club

lengths from the nearest point of relief (no closer to the hole). If you

happen to find the ball after your 5 minutes are up, you cannot play it, so

just pick it up.

12. Unplayable Lie - If you declare your ball "Unplayable"... add 1 penalty

stroke and drop the ball within 2 club lengths from the nearest point of

relief (no closer to the hole).

13. Ground under repair is usually marked with white chalk. Drop the ball 1

club length from nearest point of relief (no closer to the hole). NO PENALTY

14. A player cannot start a round with more than fourteen clubs (The Ian

Woosnam Rule). Anyone who begins play with more than fourteen clubs will be

PENALIZED 2 strokes for each hole at which any breach occurred with a maximum

penalty of four strokes per round.

15. If you are unsure of what to do in a given situation, ask another member

of your group for a ruling. When in doubt... always do what is fair.

16. All players MUST sign the group scorecard at the end of each round and

ALL RESULTS ARE FINAL as soon as the signed scorecard is turned in to the

committee.

17. In the event of a tie, there will be a 1-hole sudden death playoff that

will continue until a winner is decided. We will use the Riggs Open

Handicaps of each player as well as the handicap number of the hole being

played to determine whether one player will get a stroke or not.

18. No Cheating!!!