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NATIONAL TAVERN KEEPERS GOLF ASSOC
RELAXED PLAYING RULES
  1. Winter rules - Ball may be moved 6 inches without penalty as long as you do not improve your position to the green or to the pin. If your ball has landed in the rough by 1 inch, you must STAY in the rough - it cannot be moved into the fairway of vise - versa.
  2. You may ground your club in a hazard, but you may never ground your club in a sand trap. Hazards include, tall grass, ditches (like on #1 Red, #1 Blue and #1 White), and woods that are not O.B. You MAY roll the ball 6 inches in these hazards also.
  3. No loss of distance for "out of bounds" or lateral hazards such as water or trees, etc. (In other words, we do not want you returning to the tee) Take a drop within two club lengths (and a one stroke penalty) from the point of entry to the hazard, this also includes the many places on the course with tall grass running along the hole, if your ball cannot be found, same aforementioned rule applies (Point of entry, not where you think your ball ended up).
  4. No, so called "Line of Flight", ball is to be played where it entered the hazard, whether on the ground or in the air.
  5. If you are hitting over water and you hit TWO balls in the water, you MUST go to the other side, drop with the appropriate penalty, again two club lengths.
  6. ANY questions about the rules can be settled within your foursome if you mutually agree to what seems fair. (Even if it is not correct). If you and your opponent cannot agree on a certain rule, play two balls in, to the completion of the hole. The correct ruling will be determined by all Board members present upon completion of the round. If you dispute a rule interpretation or a hole score you must do it at the time of the infraction not after the round. Be sure to mark both scores on the card!
These rules are designed to help the pace of play. We believe that they make it a bit less stressful to play while still maintaining the feel of competition, and keeping it fun for all. Any questions about the rules should be brought to me. Thank you. Dean Joecks