The WGAWP establishes local rules that comply with the USGA standards for competition. Some member clubs have instituted local rules that do not comply with the rules of golf and consequently are not used for WGAWP competitions.
The most frequent situation is relief areas associated with penalty areas. Relief is available for balls in penalty areas and is found in Rule 17 of the Official Guide to the Rules of Golf effective January 2023. Some clubs, to help with pace of play, provide relief options that do not conform to the rules of golf. These relief options are NOT used by the WGAWP in our competitions.
Other examples of local rules not used by the WGAWP for competitions include allowance for placement of ball in a relief area rather than the dropping of ball; relief for a lateral hazard that extends beyond the two club length allowance; and dropping of a ball on other side of an immovable obstruction.
For WGAWP competitions, the WGAWP provides local rules that are in effect for our event. See the Course Information provided at the competition. Course Information Forms are also available on the Website under Membership, Member Clubs, Course Information Docs.
