ECPGA CHAMPIONSHIP

2. Tournament Format

The ECPGA Championship is a 36-hole individual stroke-play competition, subject to the ECPGA Hole-in-One Rule.

• 36 total holes
• 18 holes per day
• All competitors play from the designated tournament tees
• Lowest cumulative score after 36 holes wins
• A qualifying hole-in-one overrides all stroke-play scoring and immediately determines the Champion

Tie After 36 Holes

If competitors are tied after 36 holes and no qualifying hole-in-one has occurred, the Championship shall be decided by sudden-death playoff beginning on Hole 18.

3. Scoring & Holing Out

Every stroke counts and every hole must be completed. There are no conceded putts or gimmies.

• Every competitor must hole out
• Every stroke and applicable penalty stroke must be recorded
• Scores must be verified following each round
• Players are responsible for the accuracy of their scores

4. Out of Bounds (OB)

Out of Bounds is identified by white stakes, white lines, boundary fences, or other course-designated boundaries.

For pace of play, the ECPGA Championship does not require stroke-and-distance after a ball goes Out of Bounds.

Relief Procedure

• Estimate the point where the ball last crossed the Out of Bounds boundary
• Drop within two club lengths of that point
• The drop may not be closer to the hole
• Add one penalty stroke
• Continue play from the dropped ball

Example

Tee shot goes OB → drop near where it crossed the boundary → add one penalty stroke → the next shot is Stroke 3.

5. Lost Ball

A player has a maximum of 3 minutes to search for a ball.

If the ball is not found within the permitted search time, the ECPGA Lost Ball Local Rule applies.

Relief Procedure

• Estimate the location where the ball was most likely lost or last reasonably believed to have come to rest
• Drop within two club lengths of that estimated point
• The drop may not be closer to the hole
• Add one penalty stroke
• Continue play from the dropped ball

Example

Tee shot enters rough and cannot be found after 3 minutes → estimate where the ball was most likely lost → drop within two club lengths → add one penalty stroke → the next shot is Stroke 3.

Good-Faith Standard: The estimated location must be agreed upon reasonably and honestly based on where the ball was last seen and its likely direction and distance. A player may not simply choose a more favorable location.

6. Provisional Ball

Because the ECPGA Local Rules allow lateral relief for both Out of Bounds and lost balls, provisional balls are generally unnecessary.

A player may still play a provisional when uncertainty exists and doing so would help maintain pace of play.

If the original ball is found within the permitted search time, the original ball remains in play.

7. Red Penalty Areas

Red penalty areas are identified by red stakes or red lines.

The player may:

• Play the ball as it lies with no penalty
• Take stroke-and-distance relief
• Take back-on-the-line relief
• Take lateral relief within two club lengths of where the ball last crossed the edge of the penalty area, no closer to the hole

8. Yellow Penalty Areas

Yellow penalty areas are identified by yellow stakes or yellow lines.

The player may:

• Play the ball as it lies with no penalty
• Take stroke-and-distance relief
• Take back-on-the-line relief

Lateral two-club-length relief is not available for a yellow penalty area unless otherwise provided by a Local Rule.

9. Grounding the Club in a Penalty Area

A player may ground the club and touch the ground or water inside a penalty area.

The player may not deliberately improve the lie, intended stance, area of intended swing, or line of play.

10. Unplayable Ball

A player may declare their ball unplayable anywhere on the course except when the ball lies in a penalty area.

The player has three primary relief options:

• Stroke-and-distance relief: replay from previous spot
• Back-on-the-line relief
• Lateral relief within two club lengths of the ball, no closer to the hole

11. Cart Paths & Immovable Obstructions

Free relief is available when an immovable obstruction interferes with the player's ball, stance, or intended swing.

Examples include:

• Cart paths
• Sprinkler heads
• Permanent yardage markers
• Drainage structures
• Other artificial immovable objects

Relief Procedure

• Determine the nearest point of complete relief
• The reference point may not be closer to the hole
• Drop within one club length of that reference point

Nearest point of relief does not mean best point of relief. You don't get to wander toward the prettiest patch of grass like you're selecting produce.

12. Dangerous Tree Roots & Rocks

Free relief may be taken when an exposed tree root, dangerous rock, or similar condition creates a reasonable risk of injury during the intended stroke.

• Determine the nearest safe point of complete relief
• No closer to the hole
• Drop within one club length

This rule is intended for player safety and may not be used merely because a root, rock, or natural object creates a difficult shot.

13. Embedded Ball

When a ball is embedded in its own pitch mark in the general area and relief is permitted under the Rules of Golf, the player may take free relief.

• Use the point immediately behind the embedded ball as the reference point
• Drop within one club length
• No closer to the hole

14. Bunkers

A ball in a bunker must normally be played as it lies.

A player may not:

• Deliberately touch the sand to test its condition
• Touch the sand directly in front of or directly behind the ball before the stroke
• Touch the sand during a practice swing
• Touch the sand during the backswing
• Improve the lie or conditions affecting the stroke

15. Improving Conditions Affecting the Stroke

A player may not deliberately improve conditions affecting the stroke.

• No moving, bending, or breaking growing or attached natural objects
• No pressing down grass
• No deliberately improving a stance
• No improving the intended swing area
• No improving the line of play
• No moving the ball to create a better lie

16. Loose Impediments

Loose natural objects may generally be removed.

Examples include:

• Leaves
• Twigs
• Pine needles
• Loose stones
• Dead insects

If removing a loose impediment causes the ball to move when no exception applies, the ball must be replaced.

17. Preferred Lies

Preferred lies are NOT automatically in effect.

Preferred lies may only be used if the ECPGA Tournament Committee specifically announces the Local Rule before the round.

If announced, the Committee shall specify:

• The areas where preferred lies apply
• The permitted relief area
• The procedure for lifting, cleaning, and placing the ball

If no announcement is made, the ball must be played as it lies unless another Rule provides relief.

18. Wrong Ball

A player must play their own ball.

If a player makes a stroke at a wrong ball, the mistake must be corrected by continuing with the correct ball before beginning the next hole.

Strokes made at the wrong ball do not count toward the player's score.

19. Playing From a Wrong Place

A player plays from a wrong place when making a stroke from a location where the Rules do not permit the ball to be played.

Examples include:

• Taking an improper drop
• Dropping closer to the hole when not permitted
• Taking relief from the wrong reference point
• Playing from an incorrect location after taking relief

20. Teeing Area

When starting a hole, the ball must be played from inside the designated teeing area.

The teeing area extends two club lengths behind the line between the two tee markers.

If a player makes a stroke from outside the teeing area in stroke play, the mistake must be corrected.

21. Accidental Movement of Ball

If a player accidentally causes their ball at rest to move, the ball must generally be replaced and a one-stroke penalty applies unless a specific Rule provides an exception.

Exceptions include certain accidental movement while searching and accidental movement on the putting green.

22. Putting Green

On the putting green, a player may:

• Mark and lift the ball
• Clean the ball
• Repair ball marks
• Repair old hole plugs
• Remove loose impediments
• Remove sand and loose soil

If a ball or ball-marker is accidentally moved on the putting green, there is generally no penalty and it must be replaced.

23. Rules Questions & Disputes

If a player is uncertain how to proceed during stroke play, the player may complete the hole with two balls when permitted under the Rules of Golf.

• Announce the intention to play two balls before making another stroke
• State which ball the player wants to count if the Rules allow
• Record what occurred
• Resolve the ruling before scores are finalized

When this ECPGA Rules Packet does not address a situation, the applicable Rule of Golf shall govern.

24. Sportsmanship & Integrity

The ECPGA Championship depends on competitors honestly applying the Rules to themselves.

• Call penalties on yourself
• Do not knowingly improve a lie
• Do not intentionally misstate a score
• Do not knowingly disregard a Rule for competitive advantage
• Respect the golf course and fellow competitors

Deliberate cheating, intentional score manipulation, or serious misconduct may result in disqualification.

Governing Rules

Except for specifically adopted ECPGA Local Rules contained in this packet, the ECPGA Championship shall be played under the current Rules of Golf.

If a situation is not specifically addressed in this packet, the applicable Rule of Golf shall govern.

ECPGA Local Rules supersede the standard Rules of Golf where expressly stated.

The ECPGA Hole-in-One Rule supersedes all other Championship scoring provisions. A qualifying hole-in-one immediately determines the Champion.

Play honest. Play fast. Earn every stroke.