RULES OF PLAY - 2017 SEASON
Play is governed by the 2016 Golf Canada Rules of Golf, the 2016-2017 Golf Canada Decisions on the
Rules of Golf and, where applicable, by the following local Rules and Conditions of Competition approved
by the Rules Committee of Circuit Canada Pro Tour, subject to changes, additions or deletions for a
particular Championship. The player’s attention is drawn to Conditions of Competition as printed on the
forms accompanying applications for entry. Complete text of Rules and Appendices may be found in the
2016 Golf Canada Rules of Golf.
Unless otherwise noted, penalty for breach of a local Rule or Condition is:
Match play - Loss of hole;
Stroke play - Two strokes
SECTION A - LOCAL RULES
1.
Out of Bounds - Rule 27
Defined by inside points of white stakes, perimeter fencing at ground level and white lines tying into
white stakes. (Such stakes, fence post and concrete bases of fence posts are not obstructions). When
Out of Bound is defined by a line on the ground, the line itself is out of bound. A ball that crosses a
boundary defined by the inside edge of a roadway or curbing is out of bound, even though it may lie
on another part of the course.
2.
Water Hazards (including Lateral Water Hazards) - Rule 26
Water Hazards are defined by yellow lines or stakes.
Lateral Water Hazards are defined by red stakes.
Note:
3.
When both stakes and lines are used to indicate a water hazard, the stakes identify the hazard
and the lines define the hazard margin. Those stakes are obstructions
Abnormal ground Conditions - Rule 25
Ground under repair:



Areas completely encircled with white lines, including areas marked as gallery crosswalks.
French drains (draining ditch filled with stones)
Seams of Cut Turf - Through the green, seams of cut turf (not the turf itself) are deemed to
be ground under repair. However, interference by a seam with the player’s stance is deemed
not to be, of itself, interference under Rule 25-1. If the ball lies in or touches the seam or the
seam interferes with the area of intended swing, relief is available under Rule 25-1. All seams
within the cut turf area are considered the same seam for the purposes of re-dropping (Rule
20-2c).
Casual water on the putting green:
If casual water exists on the putting green the Committee may:
a) Require the player to proceed under Rule 25-1b (iii);
b) Squeegee the line of putt;
c) Squeegee the putting green until the players are near the putting green;
d) or in extreme cases any combination of a, b and c.
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4.
Embedded ball Through the Green - Appx. I, Part A, section 3a
Through the green, a ball that is embedded in its own pitch mark may be lifted, cleaned and dropped,
without penalty, as near as possible to the spot where it lay but not nearer the hole. The ball when
dropped must first strike a part of the course through the green.
5.
Obstructions - Rule 24
 White lined areas tying into artificially surfaced roads, paths or obstructions are deemed to
have the same status as the road, path or obstruction and are not ground under repair. Bare
grounds or gravel surfaces adjacent to cart paths are part of the obstruction.

6.
A landscaped or garden area completely encircled by an obstruction is part of the obstruction.
Integral Parts of the Course
 Wrappings, wires, cables and other similar objects when closely attached to trees;

Artificial walls and/or pilings when used to define the margin of bunkers. Such walls and/or
pilings are through the green.
7.
Permanent Elevated Power Lines or Cables
If a ball strikes a permanent elevated power line or cable, the stroke MUST be cancelled and the
player must play a ball as nearly as possible at the spot from which the original ball was last played,
in accordance with Rule 20-5. If the ball is not immediately recoverable, another ball may be
substituted.
8.
Temporary Obstructions
a. Movable obstructions
- Circuit Canada Pro Tour signs with no dimension over one club length
- crowd control ropes
- trash containers, chairs, table
Relief is available under the movable obstructions rule or under the TIO rule for Temporary
immovable Obstruction Rule 24 and Appx I, Part A, section 4b
b. Temporary Immovable Obstructions
- All the Circuit Canada Pro Tour material, including but not limited to tents, RV, score tent,
fences and publicity signs with a dimension over one club length.
9.
Turf Plugs on Putting Greens – On any putting green, turf plugs of any size have the same status
as old hole plugs and may be repaired under Rule 16-1c.
10.
Stones in bunkers
Stones in bunkers or movable obstructions and may be removed without penalty
11.
Immovable Obstructions Close to Putting Green
(e.g. Sprinkler Heads)
Relief from interference by an immovable obstruction may be taken under Rule 24-2. In addition, if a
ball lies through the green and an immovable obstruction on or within two club-lengths of the putting
green and within two club-lengths of the ball intervenes on the line of play between the ball and the
hole, the player may take relief as follows:
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The ball must be lifted and dropped at the nearest point to where the ball lay that (a) is not nearer the
hole, (b) avoids intervention and (c) is not in a hazard or on a putting green.
If the player’s ball lies on the putting green and an immovable obstruction within two club-lengths of
the putting green intervenes on his line of putt, the player may take relief as follows:
The ball must be lifted and placed at the nearest point to where the ball lay that (a) is not nearer the
hole, (b) avoids intervention and (c) is not in a hazard.
The ball may be cleaned when lifted.
12.
Amateur - Pro Am competition only
Amateurs must pick up their ball when they can’t help the team’s score. The highest score for a hole
will be a net double bogey. A breach of this rule may result in a 2 strokes penalty to the team.
13.
Score card - Pro Am competition
The professional player is responsible for the score of the team. The gross score of the amateur
player’s score to count is registered on the score card. The score card must be signed by the
professional player and countersigned by one of the amateur teammates. All penalties regarding
score card will be in effect.
14.
Doubt as to procedure
When a player as played 2 balls under rule 3-3, he must report the facts of the situation to the
Committee before returning his score card. If he fails to do so, he is disqualified.
15.
Distance - Measuring Devices
In all Circuit Canada Pro Tour competitions, a player may obtain distance information by use of a
distance-measuring device. If, during a stipulated round, a player uses a distance-measuring device
to gauge or measure other conditions that might affect his play (e.g. elevation changes, wind speed,
etc.), the player is in breach of Rule 14-3.” 16.
Accidental Movement of a Ball on a Putting Green
Rules 18-2, 18-3 and 20-1 are modified as follows:
When a player’s ball lies on the putting green, there is no penalty if the ball or ball-marker is
accidentally moved by the player, his partner, his opponent, or any of their caddies or equipment.
The moved ball or ball-marker must be replaced as provided in Rule 18-2, 18-3 and 20-1. This local
Rule applies only when the player’s ball or ball-marker lies on the putting green and any movement is
accidental.
Note:
17.
If it is determined that a player’s ball on the putting green was moved as a result of wind,
water or some other natural cause such as the effects of gravity, the ball must be played as
it lies from its new location. A ball-marker moved in such circumstances is replaced.
Water and Lateral Hazards
When a water hazard or lateral water hazard is defined on only one side, it is deemed to extend to
infinity. When a water hazard or lateral water hazard is bounded by out of bounds, the hazard margin
extends to and coincides with the out of bounds line.
Circuit Canada Pro Tour Rules Committee decisions are without appeal
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SECTION B: CONDITIONS OF COMPETITION
SECTION A: CONDITIONS OF THE COMPETITION
1.
Specification of the Ball - The ball the player plays must be named on the current List of Conforming
Golf Balls recognized by Golf Canada (see Note to Rule 5-1). The current List of Conforming Golf
Balls is available in the Circuit Canada Pro Tour Tournament Office.
Penalty for a breach of condition:
Disqualification
2.
One Ball Condition - During a stipulated round, the balls a player plays must be of the same brand
and model as detailed by a single entry on the current List of Conforming Golf Balls.
Penalty for a breach of condition:
See Penalty Statement Appx. I, Part B, Section 1c
3.
Specification of Driver Head - Any driver the player carries must have a clubhead, identified by
model and loft, that is named on the current List of Conforming Driver Heads recognized by Golf
Canada (see Note to Rule 4-1). The current List of Conforming Driver Heads is available in the Circuit
Canada Pro Tour Tournament Office.
Penalty for Breach of Condition:
See Penalty Statement for Rules 4-1 and 4-2 4.
Caddies - A player must not use another competitor as a caddie that played the same stipulated
round.
Penalty for breach of Condition
See Penalty Statement for Rules 6-4
Caddies must not wear golf shoes. We recommend the use of flat sole running shoes.
Penalty for breach of Condition
A breach of condition may result in Disqualification
5.
Pace of Play - Circuit Canada Pro Tour Group Pace of Play Policy is in effect at all amateur events.
Players must ensure that they complete groups of holes and the stipulated round within the times
established by the Tournament Rules Committee. The full policy is available in the Tournament office
and at the starting tee. Penalty for breach of Condition:
First breach in the stipulated round: warning
Second breach in the same stipulated round: 1 stroke penalty
NOTE: Warnings are cumulated and a player is subject to a fine when he reaches 4 warnings in the
same year.
See Circuit Canada Pro Tour Pace of Play Policy
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Discontinuance of Play - The Note to Rule 6-8b is in effect. The course and all practice areas are
closed when play is suspended for a dangerous situation until the Tournament Rules Committee has
declared them open. A player practicing in these areas when closed will be subject to having their
entry revoked.
6.
Note: A suspension for a dangerous situation will be signalled by one prolonged air horn note. All
other types of suspension will be signalled by three consecutive air horn notes. Resumption of play
will be signalled by two short air horn notes.
During suspension of play, other than for a dangerous situation: practice is permitted but only in
designated practice areas determined by Circuit Canada Pro Tour.
7.
Practice - Prior to and after his round in stroke play, a player may practice on the designated practice
areas.
Penalty for breach of condition
DISQUALIFICATION
In Stroke play, between the play of two holes, a player must not make any practice stroke on or near
the putting green of the hole last played and must not test the surface of the putting green of the hole
last played by rolling a ball. (see Note 2 to Rule 7-2). Penalty for breach of condition
2 stroke penalty. In the case of a breach between the play of 2 holes, the penalty will apply to
the next hole.
When a competition is limited to a Pro-Am and it is not part of an official competition: practice on or
near the last green is permitted.
In Match Play on any day of a competition, practice on the championship course is prohibited before
the first match and between matches.
8. Motorized Transportation - When motorized transportation is allowed, it is not permitted to ride past
the position of the player’s ball in play.
Penalty for breach of condition
Match play: At the conclusion of the hole at which the breach is discovered, the state of the match
is adjusted by deducting one hole.
Stroke play: 2 strokes for each hole at which any breach occurred; maximum penalty per round –
Four strokes.
9.
Returning Score Card - A player’s score card has been returned to the Committee when the player
has completely exited the defined scoring area, unless the player, prior to leaving, verbally informs
the Committee of his intention to leave the scoring area and receives the Committee's permission to
do so.
Unless otherwise determined, the player has exited the scoring area when he has left the steps of the
scoring caravan
10.
Close of the Competition - The competition is deemed to have closed when the trophy has been
presented to the winner or, in the absence of a prize ceremony, when all scores have been approved
by the Committee. 5
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