G-1 List of Conforming Driver Heads
Purpose. To remove any doubt that drivers being used in a competition are conforming:
- A Committee can choose to require players to use only drivers whose clubheads have been evaluated and approved as conforming under the Equipment Rules.
- A List of Conforming Driver Heads is found at RandA.org.
This Local Rule is recommended for use only in competitions limited to highly skilled players (that is, professional and elite amateur competitions).
Model Local Rule G-1
“Any driver the player uses to make a stroke must have a clubhead, identified by model and loft, which is on the current List of Conforming Driver Heads issued by The R&A.
This list is regularly updated and is found at RandA.org.
Exception – Pre-1999 Driver Heads: A driver with a clubhead that was made before 1999 is exempt from this Local Rule.
Penalty For Making a Stroke with Club in Breach of this Local Rule: Disqualification.
There is no penalty under this Local Rule for carrying but not making a stroke with a driver that is not on the List of Conforming Driver Heads.”
G-2 Groove and Punch Mark Specifications
Purpose. Effective 1 January 2010, the Equipment Rules were revised to provide new groove and punch mark specifications for all clubs other than drivers and putters. Until at least 2024, clubs made before 2010 are not required to meet these specifications.
But a Committee may choose to adopt a Local Rule requiring players to use only clubs that meet all the specifications included in the current Equipment Rules. This is recommended for use only in competitions limited to highly skilled players (that is, professional and elite amateur competitions).
An Equipment Database can be found at RandA.org to assist in finding which clubs may be used.
Model Local Rule G-2
“In making a stroke, the player must use clubs that conform to the groove and punch mark specifications in the Equipment Rules that took effect on 1 January 2010.
An Equipment Database of fairway woods, hybrids, irons and wedges which have been tested for conformance to the currentEquipment Rules is found at RandA.org.
Penalty For Making a Stroke with Club in Breach of this Local Rule: Disqualification.
There is no penalty under this Local Rule for carrying but not making a stroke with a club which does not conform to these groove and punch mark specifications.”
G-3 List of Conforming Golf Balls
Purpose. To remove any doubt that the balls being used in a competition are conforming, a Committee may choose to require the player to use only balls which have been evaluated and approved as conforming under the Equipment Rules.
A List of Conforming Golf Balls is found at RandA.org and is updated monthly.
Even if this Local Rule is not in place, any ball used must be a conforming ball.
Model Local Rule G-3
“Any ball used in making a stroke must be on the current List of Conforming Golf Balls issued by The R&A.
This list is regularly updated and is found at RandA.org.
Penalty for Making a Stroke at a Ball Not on Current List in Breach of this Local Rule: Disqualification.”
G-4 One Ball Rule
Purpose. To prevent a player from using balls with different playing characteristics depending on the nature of the hole or shot to be played during a round, the Committee can choose to require that a player use only a single type of ball that is on the List of Conforming Golf Balls.
Each individual listing on the List of Conforming Golf Balls is considered a different ball. Golf balls of different colours with identical markings are considered different balls.
This Local Rule is recommended for use only in competitions limited to highly skilled players (that is, professional competitions and elite amateur competitions).
Model Local Rule G-4
“During an entire round, each ball at which the player makes a stroke must be the same brand and model as found in a single entry on the current List of Conforming Balls.
If a different brand and/or model is dropped, replaced or placed but has not yet been played, the player may correct the mistake by stopping use of that ball, without penalty, under Rule 14.5. The player must drop, replace or place a ball of the same brand and model as used at the start of the round.
When the player discovers he or she has played a ball in breach of this Local Rule, he or she must stop using that ball before playing from the next teeing area and complete the round with a ball of the same brand and model as used at the start of the round; otherwise the player is disqualified.
If the discovery is made during the play of a hole, the player may complete play of this hole with the ball played in breach or place a a ball of the correct brand and model on the spot where the ball played in breach of this Local Rule was lifted from.
Penalty for Making a Stroke at a Ball in Breach of Local Rule:
The player gets the general penalty for each hole during which he or she is in breach of this Local Rule.”
G-5 Prohibiting Use of Distance-Measuring Devices
Purpose. Although Rule 4.3 allows players to use equipment to measure distance (subject to certain requirements), a Committee can choose to prohibit the use of any electronic distance-measuring devices.
Model Local Rule G-5
“Rule 4.3a(1) is modified in this way:
During a round, a player must not obtain distance information by using an electronic distance-measuring device.
Penalty for Breach of Local Rule – see Rule 4.3.”
G-6 Prohibiting Use of Motorized Transportation
Purpose. A Committee can choose to prohibit players from using any type of motorized transportation such as a golf cart during a round. This is appropriate when the Committee views walking as an integral part of playing in the competition or when it believes that the use of motorized transportation would be unsafe or might damage the course.
In adopting this Local Rule, the Committee can allow motorized transportation in limited ways, such as to take players from one hole to another when those holes are far apart or allowing members of the Committee to give a player a ride when he or she will play, or has played, again under penalty of stroke and distance.
If a player accepts a ride without the permission of the Committee, the Committee can waive the penalty if it would have authorized the player to ride in that situation had the request been made. For example, if a player who had lost a ball and needed to return to the teeing area accepted a ride from a volunteer when there was no Committee member available, the Committee could waive the penalty if members of the Committee would have given the player the ride if asked.
But, when motorized transportation is not allowed by Local Rule, it is a principle of the Local Rule that players should walk the entire course, so authorization should not be given if a player has been given a ride forwards when he or she has not already walked that distance. For example, if a player stops to buy a refreshment after playing his or her tee shot, and then accepts a ride forward to his or her ball from a volunteer, the penalty under the Local Rule should not be waived.
Model Local Rule G-6
“During a round, a player or caddie must not ride on any form of motorized transportation except as authorized or later approved by the Committee.
[A player who will play, or has played, under penalty of stroke and distance is always authorised to ride on motorized transportation.]
[Players and caddies may ride on the shuttle between holes [identify hole] and [identify hole].]
Penalty for Breach of Local Rule:
The player gets the general penalty for each hole during which there is a breach of this Local Rule. If the breach occurs between the play of two holes, it applies to the next hole.”
G-7 Prohibiting Use of Certain Types of Shoes
Purpose. To protect the course from damage, the Committee can prohibit the use of shoes with metal or traditionally designed spikes.
The Committee also may prohibit the use of shoes with other features that may cause undesirable damage.
Model Local Rule G-7
“Rule 4.3a is modified in this way:
During a round, a player must not wear shoes with:
- Traditional spikes – that is, spikes having single or multiple points designed to penetrate deeply into the surface of the ground (regardless of whether made of metal, ceramic, plastic or other materials); or
- Spikes of any design that are entirely or partially made of metal, if such metal may come in contact with the course.
Penalty for Breach of Local Rule – see Rule 4.3.”
G-8 Prohibiting or Restricting Use of Audio and Video Devices
Purpose. Rule 4.3a(4) permits a player to use equipment to listen to audio or watch video of matters unrelated to the competition being played. But the Committee can adopt a Local Rule prohibiting the use of audio and video devices altogether during a round.
Model Local Rule G-8
“Rule 4.3a(4) is modified in this way: During a round, a player must not listen to or watch content of any nature on a personal audio or video device.
Penalty for Breach of Local Rule – see Rule 4.3.”