Jerzey Boyz Golf Tour
Essential JBG Tour - On Course Rules & Scoring
Rule # 1 - Out of Bounds (OB) & Lost Balls Outside of Penalty Areas
If a ball is known to be hit OB (white stake or a stated local rule) or Lost OUTSIDE A PENALTY AREA a golfer has two options:
Option 1
“Stroke and Distance Rule”
Hit another ball from the same spot the original shot was struck with a one-stroke penalty added to the shot that went OB or resulted in a lost ball outside a penalty area. For example, if your tee shot goes OB or is lost outside a penalty area: 1st shot OB/Lost, 2nd “shot” is the one-stroke penalty to re-tee your ball (or drop a ball if not a tee shot) and you would now be hitting your 3rd shot from your original shot location.
Option 2
“2-Shot Drop Rule”
(Also known as “Local Rule Option” as per USGA)
To avoid having to go back to the spot of the previous shot, estimate the spot where your ball went OB or was lost outside a penalty area. Then find the nearest fairway edge that is not nearer the hole from the estimated OB/Lost Ball spot. You can drop a ball in the fairway within two club-lengths of that fairway edge point no closer to the hole, or anywhere between that spot and the estimated spot where your ball went OB or was lost plus a two-stroke penalty. For example, if your tee shot goes OB/Lost: 1st shot OB/Lost, 2nd & 3rd “shot” is the two-stroke penalty and you would be hitting your 4th shot after dropping your ball.
Rule # 2 - Red & Yellow Penalty Areas
Yellow AND Red Stake Options
If a ball comes to rest on or within a yellow or red staked area you may play it as it lies without penalty or you may seek relief. There are two relief options:
Option 1: Hit again from the previous spot with a one-stroke penalty
Option 2: Create an imaginary infinite line from the flagstick to and through the estimated point at which the ball crossed into the penalty area and drop the ball anywhere along this infinite line, no closer to the hole, from the point the ball crossed into the penalty area with a one-stroke penalty
Red Stake ONLY Option
If a ball comes to rest on or within a red-staked area you may play it as it lies without penalty or you may seek relief. There are 3 relief options – the 2 above in the yellow and red stake rule as well as:
Option 3: From the estimated point at which the ball crossed into the penalty area, a player can drop the ball within two-club lengths max no nearer the hole with a one-stroke penalty
"Drop Zone" Option
Some holes (not just par 3's) may have a "Drop Zone" option. This is a clearly marked area on a golf course where a player can drop their ball as relief from a penalty or other situation. These zones are often used in situations where normal relief options are impractical or would cause additional issues
Rule # 3 - Unplayable Ball
This rule can be implemented as long as your ball is not in a penalty area (see above for options when in a penalty area). You have 3 options, all of which incur a one-stroke penalty:
Option 1: Hit again from the previous spot
Option 2: Drop a ball within 2 club-lengths from the unplayable ball no closer to the hole
Option 3: Create an imaginary infinite line from the flagstick to and through the unplayable ball location and drop the ball anywhere along this infinite line, no closer to the hole, from the point of the unplayable ball location
Rule # 4 - "Gimme Putts"
The reality is we all know that gimmes happen on the golf course. So, rather than pretend that everyone is going to follow a “NO GIMMES” rule, the following is the official JBG stance on Gimmes:
The JBG encourages all members to putt until the ball is holed and to count all putts it takes to do so.
With the above stated, gimmes will not be officially penalized in the JBG if the ball is within 1-foot (12 inches) from the hole and also ideally a playing partner confirms those conditions are met with a “you’re good” or “pick it up” type acknowledgement.
Rule # 5 - Flagstick Left in Cup
Flagstick Left in Cup: Any putt that results in the ball wedging against the flagstick is considered a holed putt. A putt ball that hits the flagstick but does not wedge or drop in the hole is not considered holed and needs to be played until holed or is within JBG Tour gimme range.
Rule # 6 - Lift, Clean & Place
When one of the conditions below are met, players are permitted to Lift, Clean & Place (LCP) within one club length, no closer to the hole, in fairways and putting fringe (of the hole being played only). LCP will be in effect only when:
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A ruling from the golf course itself that you are playing on any given day
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If a course has not clearly implemented LCP, but all members of your group agree that course conditions (very wet conditions, aerated & unhealed fairways, etc.) call for LCP
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JBG Tour On-Course Rules & Scoring - Quick Reference Guide
