FSGA (Upstate) Rules For 2026 Season (January – December)

Regular Stroke Play.

Tees: Will be determined on a tournament by tournament basis, using the course handicap and number of participates.

1.  NO GIMME PUTTS.  Putt everything out.                                                                             

2.  Maximum TRIPLE BOGIE on any hole.  Applies to all handicaps.

3.  Pairings will exchange score cards at the beginning of the round; then confirm

     scores, sign and turn in cards at the end of the round.  Once a card is turned

     in and score posted, no changes can be made.            

4.  Improve your lie in your fairway only, but NO MORE than the length of your              

     grip, no nearer the hole. Lift, clean and replace rule will be determined prior to

     the start of each tournament.

     Your cannot improve your lie in the rough with exception of rule #4 and #5

     (see below).

5.  Ball on bare ground: ball may be moved to nearest grassy lie no nearer the   

     hole, generally less than a club length if feasible. Mulch is NOT

     bare ground, play it as it lies (unless local rule says otherwise).

     If there is an obstruction (tree, bush, etc.) between your ball and the hole, that

     obstruction must remain between your new ball position and the hole.

     In other words, you cannot move your ball to avoid the obstruction.

     Please notify your playing partners for confirmation.

6.  A shot in which your club will contact a root or rock: ball may be moved to       

     the nearest spot no nearer the hole to avoid that circumstance.

     Again, if there is an obstruction (tree, bush, etc.) between your ball and the

     hole, that obstruction must remain between your new ball position and 

     the hole.

     Please notify your playing partners for confirmation.

     7.  Traps may be raked/smoothed before playing your shot, but do not move the     

     ball location. If trap lie is water-filled, move ball out of trap in a straight line    

     AWAY from the hole to the nearest playable lie, free drop. If you deem the lie     

     otherwise unplayable, drop behind trap, one stroke penalty.

8.  If a hole has a forced carry over water or a ditch and your shot lands in the      

     water/ditch, move the ball to the green side of the hazard, penalize one   

     stroke, and play on.

9.  Out of bounds/lost ball, there is no need for a provisional, place ball within 2   

     club lengths of where it entered the ‘hazard’, penalize one stroke, and play

     on.  Other hazards are played as lateral.  3 minute time limit to find lost ball.