WADI AL-SAEED GOLF CLUB

PO Box 240, Udhailiayh

Saudi Arabia, 31311

SECTION I:  SAGA RULES & REGULATIONS

Rules as specified by the U.S.G.A. and the Royal and Ancient Golf Club shall prevail during SAGA Sponsored Tournaments. Additionally, the rules as outlined below shall prevail as local rules governing such tournaments. Where the SAGA local rules do not address a certain situation, then the host golf club Local Rule shall apply.

SECTION II:  DEFINITIONS

AUTOMOTIVE TRANSPORTATION
Gas/electric riding cart.

BRUSH
The broom that is supplied for each putting surface for the purpose of smoothing the sand to an even texture.

PUTTING GREEN
The putting green is all ground of the hole being played which is specifically prepared for putting. It is the specially oil treated sand that is brushed in order to provide a smooth, even surface.

TREE WELL

A manmade depression and dike surrounding a tree (or former tree) used for irrigation purposes. The dike is part of the tree well.

SECTION III:  RULES OF PLAY

1. EQUIPMENT

1.1 MATS

1.2 SHOES
Only flat soled shoes are permitted. Shoes which leave a print on the putting surface that may not be removed by normal sweeping are not permitted. Shoes with knobby, rippled or spiked soles or shoes with elevated heels are not permitted.

Penalty: DISQUALIFICATION

1.3 CLUBS & BALLS
Clubs and balls shall conform to the Rules specified by the Royal and Ancient Golf Club.

2. THROUGH THE GREEN
NOTE: Per Rule 11-1 (Teeing), the mat may be used on the teeing ground.

a) Except in a hazard (any bunker or water hazard) or when the ball is suspended in a tree (including oleanders), the ball may be lifted, cleaned, and placed on the mat, or on the ground in its original position. The centerline edge of the mat must be placed directly behind the ball (within one ball diameter distance) in a manner that will not cover the spot where the ball originally lay. NOTE: Per Rule 11-1 (Teeing), the mat may be used on the teeing ground.
Penalty: Match play -- Loss of hole;
Stroke play -- 2 STROKES

b) During the normal course of play, the area in which the mat is to be placed may be cleared of loose impediments to ensure an even surface without changing the natural contour of the lie. When the mat requires placement on vegetation, it shall not be elevated more than three inches from the ground.
Penalty: Match play -- Loss of hole;
Stroke play -- 2 STROKES

c) A ball played from the mat shall be placed so that the outer edge of the ball is a minimum of one ball diameter distance from any edge. In case of a damaged mat the ball must be placed so that a minimum of one ball diameter distance of undamaged mat surrounds the ball.
Penalty: Match play -- Loss of hole;
Stroke play -- 2 STROKES

d) Once the mat is placed and the ball has been lifted, the mat cannot be moved unless the original position of the ball can be positively established by a mark or a marker and the ball replaced. When a ball is lifted and placed on the mat, it is not in play until a stroke has been made. Accordingly, if a ball that has been placed on a mat subsequently moves, it may be replaced without penalty. If however, a stroke is made at the ball, the stroke shall count whether the ball was moving or not. Should the lie not allow the ball to be played from the mat, the player may place the ball on the ground as stipulated in 2.a) above.
Penalty: Match play -- Loss of hole;
Stroke play -- 2 STROKES
e) If a ball strikes a utility line, guy wire, power or utility pole, the player must disregard that stroke, abandon the ball and play another ball as near as possible at the spot from which the original ball was played as stipulated in Rule 20-5 (Playing next stroke from where previous stroke played).
Penalty: Match play -- Loss of hole;
Stroke play 2 STROKES

f) A ball on the berm, touching on or inside the white painted line, chalk line or rope that delineates the bunker must be dislodged gently and made to roll in such a way that the ball comes to rest in the bunker. White lines or ropes on the berm shall delineate the bunker.
Penalty: Match play -- Loss of hole;
Stroke play -- 2 STROKES

g) The portion of the berm outside the white line or rope is declared as an immovable obstruction. If the ball comes to rest on the berm outside of the white line or rope, it is to be played as stipulated in Rule 24-2 (Immovable Obstruction).
Penalty: Match play -- Loss of hole;
Stroke play -- 2 STROKES

h) In a bunker rocks lying within six inches of the ball are declared as movable obstructions and played as stipulated in Rule 24-1 (Movable Obstruction).
Penalty: Match play -- Loss of hole;
Stroke play -- 2 STROKES

i) Tree wells are defined as immovable obstructions and played as stipulated in Rule 24-2 (Immovable Obstruction).
Penalty: Match play -- Loss of hole;
Stroke play -- 2 STROKES


3. THE PUTTING GREEN

a) A ball on the putting green may be lifted, cleaned and placed no nearer the hole within 6 inches of the spot where it came to rest. A visible mark in the putting green or a marker constitutes marking the ball under Rule 20-1. The sole of the shoe or the sole of the putter may be used in preparing the putting green for the placement, but the ball mark shall not be eliminated.
Penalty: Match play -- Loss of hole;
Stroke play -- 2 STROKES

b) When the ball is at rest on the putting green, and without unduly delaying play, repairs may be made to the putting surface with the sole of the shoe, the sole of the putter or swept with a brush across the line of the putt. Other than by sweeping, the player may move loose impediments by picking them up or brushing them aside with his fingers. The player may also repair damage to the putting green caused by the impact of a ball, a footprint, or damage to the hole caused by the removal of the flagstick.
Penalty: Match play -- Loss of hole;
Stroke play -- 2 STROKES

c) At any time without undue delay, the putting green may; be swept with a brush, loose impediments moved by picking them up, repair damage to the putting green caused by the impact of a ball, a footprint, or damage to the hole caused by the removal of the flagstick. The direction of sweeping must be across the line of the putt.
Penalty: Match play -- Loss of hole;
Stroke play -- 2 STROKES

d) Repairs with the sole of the shoe or the sole of the putter may only be made across the line of the putt and shall be a minimum of 6 inches.
Penalty: Match play -- Loss of hole;
Stroke play -- 2 STROKES

e) The sum total of all repairs made with the sole of the shoe or the sole of the putter shall not exceed 12 inches along the line of the putt. Repairs requiring more than a total of 12 inches in length must be swept per 3c).
Penalty: Match play -- Loss of hole;
Stroke play -- 2 STROKES

f) A ball resting on the putting green, so close to a raised berm or bunker that the stance or putting stroke is hindered, or the stance may cause damage to the green adjacent to the bunker or berm, is played as stipulated in Rule 24-2/b(iii) (Immovable Obstruction, Relief, On the Putting Green).
Penalty: Match play -- Loss of hole;
Stroke play -- 2 STROKES

4. CART EQUIPMENT

a) Players and caddies may use automotive transportation during inter-area SAGA sponsored tournaments provided sufficient automotive transportation is available for all participants. Changes or exceptions to this rule may be made by the respective Tournament Committee for reasonable cause.
Penalty: DISQUALIFICATION

b) Under no circumstances will players or caddies use automotive transportation during the Saudi Aramco Invitational Tournament.
Penalty: DISQUALIFICATION




SECTION IV
ADMINISTRATION

5. TOURNAMENTS RULES COMMITTEE

a) The Board Members of the host club shall be responsible for establishing a rules committee, and whenever possible, nominate non-participating individuals to act as the Tournament Rules Committee for a particular SAGA sponsored tournament. The Rules Committee will be expected to be available for the duration of the tournament and be responsible for adjudicating rule infringements and decision-making before the scorecards are signed by the competitors.

b) If an individual signs up for a specific SAGA tournament and does not show-up for play or advise tournament officials in advance of inability to be present for play for a valid reason, that individual will be banned from future SAGA sponsored tournaments for a period of one calendar year starting from the last day of the SAGA tournament infraction. This rule will be in effect with the 1992/1993 tournament year.


6. TOURNAMENT MARSHALS
SAGA sponsored tournaments will have marshals appointed by the Tournament Committee of the responsible host club. Tournament Marshals shall be present on the course to help maintain the pace of play.

7. INFORMATION HANDOUTS
Tournament Directors hosting SAGA sponsored tournaments shall stipulate the aforementioned local rules & regulations and other applicable local rules in the initial invitation and participant handouts.