Hello and Welcome to Nevada Golf and our first Rules Rundown written by Cameron MacGregor, Northern Region Director and PGA. Look for additional Rules Rundowns from Southern Region rules official and Las Vegas Golf Hall of Famer Sue May in the future.
We all know that golf, like other sports, has a set of Rules that govern play. But have you ever heard the term “local rule” and wondered what it means?
There are 25 Rules laid out in the current Rules of Golf – but that’s not the end of the story. There are another 90 or so “Model Local Rules” (MLR) authorized for use as needed, usually depending on the golf course layout, current conditions, maintenance practices or other factors particular to the course or a competition.
The decision about whether to implement any Local Rules is made by the “Committee,” which is the person or group in charge of a particular competition or course. In the context of casual, everyday play, this person or group varies by course but often includes the golf professional and/or superintendent. The Local Rules in use at a course can be communicated in different ways but are often found on the scorecard or posted somewhere in the clubhouse.
Have you ever hit your ball into the water on a par 3 and then dropped another ball into a dropping zone? The concept of a dropping zone is a Local Rule (specifically, Model Local Rule E-1).
Have you ever showed up to a golf course and been told that “preferred lies” is in effect for the day? This is Model Local Rule E-3, commonly used when fairway conditions might affect fair play (e.g., due to difficult weather conditions).
Below are the MLR changes and additions for the 2026 season.
Model Local Rule A-4
Model Local Rule A-4.2 Sample statement – “During play of Hole #2, the left side of the hole, defined by white stakes, is out of bounds for any stroke that must be made from the teeing area. These white stakes are boundary objects during the play of Hole #2, for any stroke that must be made from the teeing area. At all other times, they are movable obstructions. Will only apply to courses where there is internal Out of Bounds.
Model Local Rule E-14
If a player causes their ball at rest to move and they fail to replace it before making their next stroke when they were neither aware that the ball had moved nor that it might have moved, the player gets one penalty stroke under Rule 9.4b (unless any of the exceptions under that Rule apply) but has not played from a wrong place if it subsequently becomes known that they caused the ball to move. But when a player is aware their ball at rest might have moved and fails to replace it before making their next stroke, the player gets the general penalty for playing from a wrong place under Rule 14.7a if it subsequently becomes known that they caused the ball to move. The general penalty applies even if the ball was not replaced because the player incorrectly determined that it did not move or that they were not the cause.” Primarily in effect in televised events.
MLR F-2 Limited or extended relief for Embedded Ball
Model Local Rule F-2.1 Rule 16.3 is modified in this way: Free relief is allowed only when a ball is embedded in part of the general area that is cut to fairway height or less. [Stacked turf faces above bunkers are not cut to fairway height or less for the purpose of this Rule. Primarily televised events.
Model Local Rule F-5 – Immovable Obstructions Close to Putting Greens
The purpose statement has been updated and now includes guidance related to ground under repair, noting that a Committee can extend the traditional application of this Local Rule beyond immovable obstructions and give line of play relief from ground under repair. If MLR F-5 is in effect, the Committee may extend relief options to Ground Under Repair near the putting green.
Model Local Rule G-6 – Prohibited Use of Motorized Transportation
The purpose statement has been updated and now includes guidance to note that a Committee can decide to later approve an unauthorized ride that was taken because the player mistakenly believed they were allowed to accept a ride from that is offered to them. This rule would be applicable in an event where walking is mandatory – mostly PGA Tour events and qualifiers and USGA events and qualifiers.
Model Local Rule G-9 – Broken or Significantly Damaged Club Replaced with Similar Club
The Local Rule has been updated to allow a player to replace a club with components that are being carried on the course, whether by that player of by anyone else. In the most basic example, when MLR G-9 is in effect and a player is concerned their club face may not last the round because it is showing signs of wear, they could carry a spare clubhead in their bag and could then use it to replace their driver if they were allowed to under the MLR. Note that this update applies only to replacing a club when MLR G-9 is in effect. It does not apply to adding a club and, when MLR G-9 is not in effect, the restrictions in Clarification 4.1b(4)/1 continue to apply to replacing and adding clubs. Allows players who think they may collapse their club face at some point during the round to replace the broken club (this would be events with highly skilled players, mostly scratch events, PGA Tour and USGA scratch events.