KENEY PARK PLAYERS CLUB
2026 LOCAL RULES & CONDITIONS OF COMPETITION
The Rules of the United States Golf Association govern all play, as modified by Keney Park Golf Course.
Unless otherwise noted, the penalty for breach of a Local Rule or Condition is:
Match play — Loss of hole • Stroke play — Two strokes
Cart paths – All paved paths are Immovable Obstructions. The ball may be lifted, without penalty, and dropped in accordance with the procedure prescribed in Rule 16.1a. Rocks and stones attached to the sides of cart paths are part of the cart path. Loose rocks and stones close to cart paths are Loose Impediments. White-Lined Areas Tying into Artificially Surfaced Roads and Paths have the same status as the roads and paths.
Distance-measuring devices – A player may use a device to measure or gauge distance only - Rule 4.3a(1). However, if a distance-measuring device has additional functionality that can gauge or measure other conditions that might affect a player’s play (e.g. elevation change, wind-speed, etc.), the use of any such additional function would be a breach of Rule 4.3.
Embedded Ball – When a player’s ball is embedded in the “General Area” and relief is allowed under Rule 16.3a, the player may take free relief by dropping the original ball or another ball in this relief area (one club length, no closer to the hole from the reference point).
Ground Under Repair – Defined by white lines. French drains both covered and uncovered in the general area are ground under repair, even if not marked. The white lines are considered in ground under repair.
Immovable Obstructions – All artificial objects on the course, including, but not limited to shelters, Clubhouse, telephone poles, birdhouses, sprinkler heads, and irrigation control boxes. If a ball has interference from the immovable obstruction, including when it is known or virtually certain that a ball that has not been found came to rest in the immovable obstruction, the player may lift, without penalty, and drop a ball in accordance with the procedure prescribed in Rule 16.1. A player also may take relief under Rule 16.1b if an immovable obstruction is on the line of play and is within two club-lengths of the putting green, and within two club-lengths of the ball.
Black plastic liner around the greens - If your stance or swing is impeded by the plastic liner around the green, you may take free relief as follows:
- Ball on the Putting Green – Reference point is nearest point, no closer to the hole and place the ball (Rule 16.1d).
- Ball In General Area – Reference point is nearest point, no closer to the hole and drop the ball (Rule 16.1b).
Hole #9 Special Notes – The entire clubhouse area to the right and beyond hole #9 green, including the clubhouse, golf car storage, and patio area are treated as immovable obstruction. A player may:
- Take free relief under Rule 16.1, or
- As an additional option, take free relief by dropping the original or another ball in the nearest dropping zone to where the ball lies in the obstruction. The dropping zones are a relief area under Rule 14.3.
The telephone pole to the right of the green is an immovable obstruction. Relief will be granted for stance and swing only. A ball that strikes the pole, guide wires or any wire attached will require a replay of the shot.
Loose impediments in bunkers – Loose impediments may be removed from bunkers without penalty (Rule 12.2 & Rule 15.1).
Low Lying Areas - In the specific and limited areas in the fairways of holes 2, 5, 12, and 15, players may mark, lift, clean, and place their ball within one club length of their ball’s original position. Players must receive confirmation from their marker in Stroke Play (and Opponent in Match Play) that their ball has come to result in one of these qualifying areas, specifically, and limited to:
#2 – Low lying areas just before and after the brook
#5 – The bottom of the hill just short of the green
#12 – Low lying area in the fairway
#15 – Low lying areas before and after the brook
Music playing devices – Players should ensure that any electronic device taken onto the course does not distract other players or is used in a way that breaches Rule 4.3a(4). Players are prohibited from wearing headphones during a round in any tournament.
Out of Bounds – Defined by inside points, at ground level, of large white stakes, or defined property boundaries. Such stakes themselves are Out of Bounds (Rule 18.2). The wooden fence along #9 and #10 defines Out of Bounds.
Red Penalty Areas – When a Red Penalty Area is defined on only one side, it is deemed to extend to infinity.
Use, Repair or Replacement of Club Damaged During Round – If a conforming club is damaged during a round or while play is stopped under Rule 5.7a, except in cases of abuse, the player may repair it or replace it with another club (Rule 4.1a(2)).
Hole #12 – Stone Wall - The stone wall on hole #12 is deemed to be an integral part of the course. As such, it is not an obstruction and no relief will be granted.
White Tee Criteria – must qualify with a., b., and c., or d., or e.
- At least 60 years old
- Course Handicap calculated on the White Tees is 10 or more
- Age plus White Course Handicap equals at least 75 or
- At least 75 years old, regardless of handicap or
- Course Handicap calculated on the White Tees is 20 or more
Green Tee Criteria
- At least 80 years old