TFSS Rules

TFSS uses the USGA Rules of Golf plus any “Local Pasatiempo” Rules and the following “Local TFSS Rules.”

Local TFSS Rules

Rule 1: Players may hit a Provisional Ball if unsure whether initial ball is findable and playable in Penalty Areas on Holes 10, 11, 15, 16, 18 (these holes have cross-hole barrancas/penalty areas).

Rule 2: During very wet weather only, if a ball is seen landing in a maintained (ie. mowed fairway or rough) portion of the General Area, and the ball cannot be found, and it would be reasonable to assume that the ball plugged. Player gets a free drop (as if the area were Ground Under Repair).

Below is further explanation of the two Local TFSS Rules.

Rule 1:

• On holes with barrancas/lateral penalty areas (10, 11, 15, 16, 18) you may hit a so-called “provisional” and then go look to see if your original ball is playable.

• While there is no such thing (in the Rules of Golf) as a “Provisional Ball” for shots hit into penalty areas (red and yellow stakes) TFSS has created this option in order to speed up pace of play.

• The “TFSS Provisional” may be played from the most advantageous spot allowed in the rules for where to play after hitting into the penalty area (ie Forward tee on 18, near the barranca on 11, etc.) and does not need to be hit from the original point.

• Be careful to NOT use this TFSS Local Rule Provisional Ball option when playing in a non-TFSS event, tournament, etc. You’ll be penalized or disqualified if you do, because there is NO USGA Rule that allows for hitting a provisional for a ball hit into a Penalty Area.

Rule 2:

• In the Rules of Golf, a lost ball is a lost ball, no matter where it’s lost. TFSS does make an exception, during very wet and soft turf conditions: if one or more players see a ball “land” in the fairway or rough in the General Area (ie not in a Penalty Area) but can’t find it, a free drop is given at the closest point to where the ball is believed to have plugged.

• There is no free drop given if the shot hits a tree first

• There is no free drop given if the ball simply ends up in long, wet or dry grass. (ie if the native grasses are overgrown because the mowers have not been out, and the grass is “longer than it should be” that condition does not cause a free drop).

• This exception is not created to eliminate lost ball penalties when errant shots land in bad places. It is created only to address “plugged balls” in fairways or roughs with very wet, swampy conditions.

• ALWAYS hit a provisional ball if there is a chance you won’t find your shot.