The Fifty-Four — Standard Play Rules


 
  1. Preferred Lies

    • Everywhere except the green: you can move your ball up to one club length, staying in the same cut (fairway, rough, or sand).

    • The ball must stay at the same distance from the hole — you can move it side-to-side, but not closer or further back.

  2. Lost Balls, Out of Bounds, or Water Hazards

    • If your ball is lost in the fescue, woods, or OB, drop it in the rough where it crossed in, add one stroke.

    • If your ball goes into a water hazard, drop in the rough where it crossed in, add one stroke (or use the course’s drop zone if provided).

    • No stroke-and-distance penalties are used in this tournament.

  3. Ball Searches

    • You get 2 minutes to look for a lost ball. After that, take the penalty and drop as above.

  4. Maximum Score

    • The most you can score on a hole is double par. Pick up once you reach it.

  5. Putting

    • On the green, balls must be played as they lie.

    • Gimme putts are good from 12 inches and in.

    • Anything longer must be holed out.

  6. Other Relief

    • Free relief from cart paths, sprinkler heads, and other man-made objects — drop within one club length, no closer to the hole.

  7. General Notes

    • If a situation is not covered by these rules, default to standard USGA scramble rules.


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