The Rules of the Game

The theory behind this game: 

This is a combination match and stroke-play game. The stroke play is described below. 

The match-play component (played in each group as either Wolf or Skins) is part of the whole game in that it puts a different pressure on the player, having to manage between stroke and match play at the same time. We have also set the bet for that match play element of the overall game so that it is consistent across all groups.  Again, everyone has the same pressures. The overall game is also set to help build parity for low and high handicappers. For example, the CTTP should be fair across all groups as long as everyone plays the same tees. The skins game element allows lower handicappers to make up for the strokes that higher handicappers receive for the net score element. This has been a well-thought-out game that was played at the Polo club before I  moved to the hills. That game has been going on successfully for more than 20 years. The stroke play and match play elements work together to bring opportunity for everyone playing. 

Here are the rules for play in the weekly game: 

Our weekly game is a mix of stroke and match play. The match play bet is $2 per hole or $2 per skin. This is NOT optional. The bet amount is mandatory. Teams found to be playing at a bet amount less than $2 per hole or per skin will be disqualified. 

On the stroke play game:

1. Buy-in is $35
   
2. White tees (or longer) for all players
   
3. You can pick who you want to play with
   
4. Once a month there is a blind draw to select teams
   
5. Element 1 is a net score (stroke play) game, paying places 1-3
   
6. Element 2 is a Par 3 closest to the pin. Pays $5 per hole. $20 divided by the number of players that have a CTTP on the green.
   
7. Element 3 is a skins game. $10 of the $35 goes into this game. Unique low scores on each hole. 
   
8. Element 4 is a group game that must be match play: Either Wolf or Skins. No exceptions.
   
9. A coin flip will determine the $ amount for the group games. Either $2 or $1 per point. 
   
10. In Element 4, the player that is down the most money in the group game on hole 18 can press up to the amount they are down. If a player wants to press an amount that exceeds the amount that they are down to the group, then all of the other players have to agree to accept that bet. If one person doesn't accept, the bet cannot be placed. 
    
11. Winter rules allow you to roll the ball in the fairway and the rough but you cannot change the condition of the ball... if it is in the rough, it has to stay there. You cannot touch the ball in a hazard
12. You must play with marked balls. 
13. In the fall, leaf rules are in effect... all players must agree as to the location of the ball "under the leaves". 
14. Our sand traps really aren't all that great. In many places, the fabric is just below the surface and creates a risk for injury. Players are allowed to lift the ball, rake the trap under the ball, and replace the ball within the width of the rake head, not nearer the hole before playing the shot. 
15. We all play from the same tees except for special conditions. There will never be an instance where the tees change from the front side to the back side of the round. If a player or team changes tees during a round this occurs it is grounds for immediate disqualification. THIS IS CHEATING. 

Specific Rules:

Wolf: You can play either 4-man or 5-man wolf---they are played the same with a few exceptions. Toss a tee to determine the order of play for the game

A classic betting game played in a foursome, Wolf is all about strategy. Before play starts, players must determine a permanent driving order. No honors here. If Player A tees off on hole 1, they will tee off on holes 5, 9, and 13. Likewise, if Player B tees off on hole 2, they will tee off on holes 6, 10, and 14. See the pattern here? The only exception is for the par 3s. On par 3s, the number one person in the driving order has the tee box on the first par 3, then number 2 has the 2nd, and so forth. 

The Wolf always plays first and then watches the other shots. After each drive, the Wolf must decide immediately if he or she wants to partner with that golfer to create a 2-vs-2 game, or if the Wolf doesn’t like any of the drives, they can choose to play their own shot and compete against the other three, creating a 1-vs-3 game. Feeling lucky? In this fun betting game, declaring yourself a Lone Wolf before anyone tees off gives you the chance to win triple creating a 1-vs-3 match from the start. Just make sure you don’t shank one into the trees because it can also cost you triple. In all scenarios, each hole is either contested in a 2-vs-2 or 1-vs-3 match. These are net score games. Also, if you are chosen as a partner by the wolf, you do have the option of dropping the wolf and going alone with a double bet. 

The bet is either $1 or $2, decided by a weekly coin toss for the whole game before the groups tee off. 

Typical trash on the wolf game would be sandies, birdies, offners, and greenies on the par 3s. Greenies not obtained on a hole carry over to the next par 3. All of the trash counts the same amount as the hole... so for example, if someone makes sandy-birdie for a win, then the bet would be 3x... in a $1 format, that would be $3. 

Skins:

This is another match play game that is played in a net format. Halved holes carry over to the next hole and those add up until someone wins the hole outright.  Bets are $2. Junk has the same impact as in Wolf: Sandy-Birdie-Win triples the number of dots won on that hole. 

If you do not understand how to score these games, ask. Ignorance of the rules is not a waiver. 

Betting limitations: Everyone knows that there have been times when betting got a little wild but these are the exception, not the rule. In the case of Wolf, as stated before, the person that is down the most money gets the option to press up to the amount that they are down on number 18.  Going Blind Lone Wolf on that hole is prohibited unless all of the other players in a group agree to accept that bet. If you accept that bet, don't cry about how it turns out later... keep your big boy pants on, or just don't accept the bet. 

Remember, we are out there having fun... play within the rules of the game and the rules of golf. These folks are your friends. The rules of golf prevail in our game. All matches are played from the white tees. You must play the ball down unless notified before the start of play by the game manager or designee.

LOCAL RULES

Any time that there is an exception, you MUST consult with your playing partners before taking advantage of these exceptions. Failure to do so will result in a stroke penalty except on putts which result in a 2-stroke penalty. 

To speed up the pace of play there are three general rules: 

Putts are good if the distance from the ball to the hole is inside the leather.. which is the length from the putter head to the bottom of the grip. DO NOT take this without measuring and gaining permission from your playing partners. Failure to do so will result in a two-stroke penalty. Repeated violations are cheating and subject to administrative action which may include suspension from the group. 

Balls driven OB or lost may be played from the location where the ball is deemed to have entered the OB area with a two-stroke penalty. The drop location must be agreed to by your playing partners. 

The third rule is that there is a maximum score of double par gross. Par 3s may have a max score of 6, 4s are maxed at 8, and par 5s are a maximum of 10.

If conditions are wet and the game manager determines that the ball may be rolled because of conditions, the ball may not be moved more than 12 inches, and it must remain in the same condition. If you are in the rough you must stay in the rough. If you are in a hazard the ball may not be touched whatsoever.

You must play with a marked ball. Failure to do so will result in disqualification. Show your marks to your group before beginning play. 

If your markings are not visible when the ball comes to rest and you are not sure it is your ball, you must consult with your playing partners before touching your ball to look at the markings which may be underneath the ball. The ball can be lifted, confirmed, and placed in the exact condition that it was found in. This must be observed by at least one other competitor in your group. Failure to do so will result in a 2-stroke penalty.

At Achasta, sand trap rules are modified. You may rake and place the ball within the width of the head of the rake NOT NEARER THE HOLE. If you contact the liner in the trap while hitting, you are allowed to replace the ball and replay your shot with no penalty. If you rake and place, this rule is not in play. 

If your ball flies into a hazard area, consult with your partners concerning the perceived entry point. Failure to do so will result in a 2-stroke penalty. The choice of the proper drop point is not arbitrary. 

On 16, if the upper left trap has water in it, and you are IN THE WATER, you may remove the ball from the water, rake an area not nearer the hole, and place your ball without penalty. You MAY NOT remove it from the trap. If you are NOT in the water, you can rake and place, but the ball must be played from the trap. 

If you are in an area that has been marked as ground under repair, you may remove the ball to the nearest point of relief outside of the GUR area, that is not nearer the hole. Again, get a ruling from your playing partners. If you don't you are subject to a two-stroke penalty. 

A ball that flies into a water hazard must be replaced at the point where it crossed over into the hazard, NOT beside where the ball splashed. All players must agree with the proposed drop location.

The rules of golf must be followed. When you take the rules liberally, you are cheating the rest of your friends. 

When in doubt, ask your playing partners for a ruling. If there are any questions, play two balls and we will sort it out with the club pro once you get in. 

CHEATING WILL NOT BE TOLERATED. We will remove people who cheat, and notify the rules and handicap committee of the club for further action which may result in the loss of membership to the club. Play it straight. 

The Big Game: At the end of the year, there is a final match that requires the normal entry fee but the pot is seeded with 10% of all fees paid in during the year so that the final pot is well over $1500. In the past, we have required that players participating in the final game must have played in at least half of the matches during the year. This year, we are allowing anyone that has played in at least 5 matches to play in the final game with one caveat, those individuals will be charged an extra $5 per week that they have not played so that their investment in the big game is equal to the other players. So, if someone is 10 weeks short of 50%, their entry fee would be $35 plus 10 times $5 for a total of $85. 

Achasta 2023 Local Rules:

Achasta Golf Course Local Rules (2023 Season)

It is expected that everyone follows USGA Rules and Regulations. Oftentimes, there are situations that are unique to a club that requires special local rules for its quest and membership. Local rules should be posted in a common location for easy access. Following are the Achasta Golf Course Local Rules.

1. Out of Bounds and/or lost balls – We will follow the suggested USGA Modern Local Rule which states that for a tee ball hit out of bounds or presumed lost, the player may hit a provisional ball (hitting 3) or proceed to the point where the ball went out of bounds, or in the case of a lost ball. where it is assumed to be lost. They may move laterally to the fairway, no closer to the hole, drop within two club links, and play their 4th shot. Notice, that if a provisional ball was played, this option does not exist. They must play the provisional ball. In the case where the player is hitting a second shot and it is lost or out of bounds, the same rule applies except when they take lateral relief to the fairway, they will be hitting their 5th shot.
2. On hole 9, for a ball found around the bridge, relief is given only for relief from the bridge if it interferes with stance or swing (not line of sight!). The Modern Local Rule can be used if the ball is lost. If the player and his group are convinced that his ball is in the river, normal hazard rules apply.
3. On Hole 15 there is no relief for balls that hit the cart path and go into the hazard. If the approach shot is not between the yellow stakes, normal hazard rules apply. Within the yellow stakes, go to the drop zone. For the Ladies, A special drop area on the green side of the hole has been provided and may be used as follows.

a. When a ball is hit into the river and it is the third shot or more, the player may either hit from the normal tee side drop zone and take a one-shot penalty like other players or proceed to the green side drop zone and take a two shot penalty.

1. Bunker Rule - Until Bunkers are repaired, the local rule is to take relief within the bunker by raking and placing the ball within the width of the rake head. Playing partners should agree with the need for relief and monitor compliance.
2. Sprinkler Head Interference near the green – The following conditions must be met:
   
   1. The ball must be through the green (not in a bunker or water hazard.
   2. The immovable obstruction (sprinkler head) must be within two club lengths of the
      putting green.
   3. The immovable obstruction must be within two club lengths of the ball.
   4. And finally, the immovable obstruction must intervene on the line of play between the
      ball and the hole.
   5. If and only if all the criteria are met, then the player may lift (not clean) and drop the
      ball at the nearest point of relief (not one club length!) and not on the green or closer to
      the hole.
3. Provisional Ball for not knowing if a ball clears a hazard – The USGA does not allow for a
   provisional ball to be hit for a ball concerned with being a hazard. The Achasta Local rule, for pace of play considerations, will allow for a provisional ball to be hit. If the original ball is found playable, it must be played, and the provisional ball abandoned. The main locations for this local rule are on holes Number 3, 4, and 15.
4. A condition exists in several of our fairways where an imperfection exists about the size of a basketball (circular, sometimes referred to as a dollar mark). None of these areas are filled with sand as a divot should be. Until further notice. Take the nearest point of relief (not a club length!), do not clean the ball, and drop no closer to the hole.