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LOCAL RULES
(Revised 1/17/19)USGA rules of golf will govern all play with the following
local rules
1. Obstructions-Rule 24
A free drop (no penalty; stance or swing only) will be allowed for the following
immovable obstructions. Player may drop within one club length of a point
established that is no closer to the hole that affords player relief from
the listed condition.
a. Concrete cart paths
b. Fairway yardage stones
c. Irrigation boxes/heads
d. Storm drains
e. Power poles
f. Comfort stations
g. Cart directional ropes/stakes may be played as immovable or movable obstructions
h. Any dirt area immediately adjacent to a cart path is considered an extension
of the cart path
2. Ground Under Repair-Rule 25
a. Fire ant mounds that are active
b. Newly sodded areas even if not marked
c. Flower beds behind the 9th and 18th greens
d. Areas identified as "ground under repair", identified by white
lines or a sign noting such.
e. Any unusual damage caused by maintenance vehicles, golf carts, or the like.
3. Out of Bounds-Rule 27
Out of bounds is identified by the inside edge of white stakes at ground level.
Sidewalks or roads bordering the golf course as noted below. A ball is out
of bounds when the entire ball lies outside the golf course edge of the O.B.
stake, road, or as listed below:
" Hole #1-Course edge of sidewalk, right side of the fairway beyond the
driving range
" Hole #6-Fence on right side of course
" Hole #10-Course edge of sidewalk beyond the green
" Hole #11-Course edge or roadside left of tee
" Hole #14, 15 and 16-Course edge of sidewalk along right side of fairway
" Hole #17-Course edge of sidewalk left of green
" Hole #18-Course edge of roadside behind the green
Note: O.B. double stakes identify indefinite O.B. in direction of second stake.
Free relief is not permitted from any obstruction that is out of bounds; O.B.
stakes are out of bounds and may not be removed.
4. "Lost Ball or Out of Bounds" Alternative to Stroke and Distance.
(added 1/17/19)
When a player's ball has not been found or is known or virtually certain to
be out of bounds, the player may proceed as follows rather than proceeding
under stroke and distance: for two penalty strokes, the player may take relief
by dropping the original ball or another ball in this relief area. The relief
area is on the fairway, within 2 club lengths from the edge of the
fairway. The ball should be dropped adjacent to the area of the original ball,
no closer to the hole. Additional details can be found here.
5. Lateral Water Hazards-Rule 26, are defined by red lines or in the absence
of lines defined by red stakes. Ball may be played from inside the hazard,
or relief options with penalty stroke may be take. Bulkheads are considered
part of the hazards and relief requires penalty.
6. Embedded Ball Rule 25-2, If a player's ball is embedded in any closely-mown
area through the green, it may be lifted, cleaned and dropped, without penalty,
as near as possible to the spot where it lay but not nearer the hole. The
ball when dropped must first strike a part of the course through the green.
7. Players are responsible to keep informed on the rules of golf, local rules
and areas of ground under repair as they are updated or changed. If a question
arises concerning a rule during a round, under Rule 3-3, announce and play
an alternate ball and request a ruling from the professional staff at the
completion of your round.
8. The "One Ball Rule" is NOT in effect.
9. Protection Against Lightning - Players have the right to stop play at
anytime if they think lightning threatens them, even if play has not been
officially suspended.
10. Distance measuring devices are "OK" and permitted providing
they measure distance ONLY.
11. The Hazards located around the green on hole #5 and on the right side
of hole #6, defined by red stakes with green tops, is deemed an environmentally
sensitive area. Playing from or entering this area is PROHIBITED. A player
MUST, under of penalty of one stroke, proceed under Rule 26-1. Entering this
area to search for a ball is prohibited.
12. "Tee Box Rules" (Revised 6/8/2023)
The VEMA standard tee box is the Green Tees. Everyone starts from the Green tees to qualify for handicaps. After establishing a handicap, they may qualify to play from the SKY or Blue tees using the parameters outlined below. Tee box moves are not mandatory.
SKY:
When a member's age + handicap is equal to or greater than 95, that member may, at their own choosing, play their drives from the 'SKY' tee box. If the member has decided to take advantage of this new rule, the following rules will be implemented.
11/17/22: The board approved a change to the above rule that allows any member that has reached the age of 80 to move to the SKY tees IF they so desire.
a. The member's handicap will initially be reduced by 4 strokes. After a member has played 3 rounds from the 'SKY' tees, their handicap will be re-calculated and posted. The handicap will be calculated in accordance with methods used with all members of VEMA.
b. On individual play events, a separate flight will be created with only the 'SKY' players. Winnings will be divided among those players.
c. 'SKY' tees will be used for all VEMA events unless otherwise approved by the VEMA board.
BLUE:
(A trial period (starting July 1, 2023) has been established to allow players a move to the Blue tees until September 30th, 2023.) With board approval, the program will continue beyond that date as outlined below)
d. If a player has determined that due to their length off of the tee and other factors, they would be best served to move back to the Blue tees, they may do so at any time during the fiscal year.
e. The member's handicap will initially be increased by 3 strokes. After a member has played 3 rounds from the 'Blue' tees, their handicap will be re-calculated and posted. The handicap will be calculated in accordance with methods used with all members of VEMA.
ALL TEE BOXES MOVES:
f. Once a member chooses to change tee boxes, they must play from that tee box until the end of the VEMA fiscal year is completed. (September 30th) At the end of each fiscal year a member may choose to move to their previous tee box with an addition or subtraction of the appropriate number of strokes to their handicap.
g. VEMA members will tee from their normal assigned tee boxes on all par 3's (Blue, Green or SKY). Blue and Green players will compete for the same CTP prize fund, SKY players will have a separate prize fund.
h. If a player desires a move to a different tee box, they must notify the
tournament director (by email) of their request. He will check eligibility
and facilitate the move.
13. Rules for "Picking Up" (maximum score per hole)
A maximum score has been established for VEMA events beginning October 1st, 2020. The maximum score is the same as the 2020 PGA "Equitable Score Rules". For example: You are on number 14 and hit into the water on your third shot. You lie out and hit into the water again. Now you are laying 6 and you have two dots on the score card. You hit again and reach the green. You are laying 7 and you have at least two putts Double bogey on 14 is a 7. So, you add 7 plus your two "dots" and your score for number 14 would be a "9". You pick up and move on to the next tee box recording a 9 for number 14.
14. Weekly Prize Fund Contributions
After a members handicap is established members pay into a prize fund each week to pay for cash prizes. The weekly 'game' contribution is $5. There is also an optional contribution of $2 for the 'Closest To Pin' contest. C.T.P. contests are separated into those playing both the Green and Sky tees. Game prize money winners are normally paid to each members account with the Viera East Golf Club and are redeemable in the pro-shop or restaurant. If a member is present after golf, CTP winners will be paid in cash in the restaurant. If a member is not present, the CTP prize will be added to their account. In consideration for their weekly contribution of programming, handicaps, website maintainence and other league needs, the webmaster's weekly prize contributions are waived.
15. Weekly Signup
Every player is responsible for signing up to play on the website every week. Signups are done on the 'Schedule' page with the players last name and the last 4 of their phone number. Players must sign up before 6pm on Tuesday (to play Thursday) of each week.
Once a player has signed up, their name will appear on the website signup list. If (for any reason) a player finds himself unable to play on Thursday, it is imperative that they CANCEL their signup. Players should cancel their signup from the schedule page. Note: the cancel feature of the website enables players to cancel at any time. If a player cannot cancel on the website, they should call the pro-shop at Viera East and inform them of the cancellation.
If a player does not make the effort to cancel either on the website or with a phone call, they will incur a 2 week penalty where they will not be allowed to participate in VEMA league play.
16. Other
When measuring for "Closest to Pin" (CTP) on the par 3's, the person reading the measurement should never be the one that hit the shot! Another player from your group must read the measurement.
Distance measuring devices are "OK" and permitted providing they
measure distance ONLY.
Local VEMA Rules of Play for VEMA Tournaments
USGA and Viera East Golf Club Local Rules govern all play.
If the tournament warrants always Play Ready Golf.