FRGC/MGA

Forest Ridge Golf Club / Men's Golf Association

CLAIMS AND DISPUTES

The best way to deal with claims and disputes is to avoid them. With that in mind, the committee strongly recommends that members learn and properly apply the USGA rules and the FRGC/MGA Local Rules. Even so, it is inevitable that claims and disputes will arise from time to time.

The USGA Rules clearly document the proper procedures for resolving claims and disputes, and it is the policy of the club to follow those procedures explicitly. The procedures differ depending on the type of scoring. They will be summarized and expounded upon in this document.

Note that in neither stroke play or match play is it necessary nor appropriate to suspend play in order to get a ruling.

Stroke Play – Refer to rule 3-3. When in doubt about a rule, play 2 balls. Before doing so, be sure to indicate to your fellow competitors which of the two balls will count in the event that they are both legal. Complete your round and bring the matter to the attention of the committee before turning in your score card.

Note the following important considerations:
  • You must clearly express the fact that you are invoking this option before you play either ball. Failure to do so invalidates the option, resulting in the fact that your first ball is in play and the 2nd ball is a practice stroke, resulting in a 2 stroke penalty.
     
  • You are strongly advised to designate which ball will count in the event both are legal. This designation must occur before playing either ball. Failure to do so means that the first ball played is counted if it is legal.
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    Match Play – Refer to rule 2-5. If a player believes that his opponent has violated a rule and the opponent does not concur, the player must lodge a claim to that effect before teeing off on the next hole, or in the case of the last hole, before leaving the putting green. Play should continue and the matter should be brought to the committee’s attention for a ruling after the round.

    If a situation arises where neither player is sure of the proper procedure, the players should do their best to reach an equitable solution. If they agree on an equitable solution, the result of the hole will stand, even if the agreed upon solution is improper according to the rules. Following this procedure is not a violation of rule 1-3 which prohibits agreement to waive the rules. Rule 1-3 applies only to situations where one or the other of the players knows the rule and they agree to disregard it.

    Note: Playing a 2nd ball in match play is not permitted since rule 3-3 applies only to stroke play.

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