June 2025 SCGA Handicap and Delegate Report

SCGA Handicap Report

Some interesting rules you may or may not know about.

Does a Fresh Air Shot in golf count? (a swing and miss)

An air shot is not imposed as a penalty for a tee shot. No matter how many times a player swings, if the club does not touch the ball, it is not considered a stroke. However, when the ball moves with an air shot, it counts as one stroke.

What is the Golden Rule of golf?

The Golden Rule of golf is to play the ball as it lies. This means you should generally not move, touch, or alter the position of your ball unless the rules of golf specifically allow for it. Essentially, you should accept the course's conditions and play the shot as best you can from where the ball lands.

In other words, NO BUMPING!

Local Rules at Rio Hondo

• Protective screens, towers, and paths are obstructions – 1 club relief no penalty.

• Balls striking electrical wires must be replayed – No penalty.

• No line-of-sight relief from obstructions.

• Out of bounds is measured from the outside of the poles on the range fence.

• Man-made rocks are considered an integral part of the golf course,  NO RELIEF 

• Relief from staked trees, No Penalty

These rules can be found on the back of our scorecards. You need to familiarize yourself with these local rules for Rio Hondo or any course that you play.

Remember, golf is a game, and this game has rules, so have fun out there and play by the rules.