Minnesota Golfer - Summer 2020 - 10

RULES PRIMER
Navigating the MGA's New Local Rules*
Here's what to know about playing during the pandemic.
* BY W.P. RYAN *
Change Agent
In the summer of touchless golf, COVID-19 has been a catalyst
for change or adaptation in nearly all aspects of how we
navigate the golf course and play the game recreationally and
competitively. The MGA has adopted new Local Rules* for all
of its events and competitions to deal with the pandemic. A few
are summarized below.
Bunkers
With the removal of rakes, the MGA has put into effect a Local
Rule that deems damaged areas in bunkers as Ground Under
Repair. Damaged areas include footprints and other disturbances
that may have been caused by players, animals or other
sources. The player has the option to play the ball as it lies, or
take free relief under Rule 16.1c, but the ball must remain in the
bunker. In the event that the player cannot drop without going
closer to the hole, the player may drop at the nearest point of
relief even if that spot is closer to the hole. Another option for
the player, which incurs a penalty of one stroke, is to drop outside
of the bunker along a line formed by the hole and the spot
where the ball came to rest in the bunker, going back on the line
as far as the player likes.
Flagsticks
For safety's sake, the flagstick is not to be touched and must
remain in the hole at all times. The MGA has modified Rule
13.2 this way: a player is prohibited from making a stroke with
the flagstick removed from the hole. Accidently touching or
removing the flagstick is not of itself a penalty.
The Hole
Hole inserts allow players to remove the ball without touching
the hole or flagstick. Consequently, the definition of holed has
been modified thusly: if any part of the ball is in the hole below
the surface of the green, the ball is treated as holed even if the
entire ball is not below the surface.
Scoring
With paper scorecards one of the first casualties of touchless
golf, a player's digital scorecard is considered returned after
agreeing to the hole-by-hole scores and leaving the scoring
area. The MGA uses the USGA Tournament Management program
and the Golf Genius app for digital scoring (and leader10
MINNESOTAGOLFER
Summer 2020
board display). With the app, the digital scorecard is considered
returned to the Committee after the player agrees to the holeby-hole
scores and leaves the scoring area.
In cases where the Committee provides printed scorecards
(via an email or website link), the player verifies the hole-byhole
scores and returns to the Committee a photo of the card
via cell phone camera.
For recreational golf and handicap score posting purposes,
the USGA GHIN mobile app features hole-by-hole scoring and
stat tracking (number of putts and greens hit in regulation, and
driving accuracy). The GHIN app automatically adjusts maximum
hole scores (no more than a net double bogey, per Rule
3.1), and with a click, the score is posted and the player's handicap
index updates the next day.
The GHIN Mobile app is available in the Apple IOS and
Android app stores.
* Subject to change. Check mngolf.org for the latest information.
mngolf.org
http://www.mngolf.org http://www.mngolf.org
Minnesota Golfer - Summer 2020

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