SMMC INTERNAL OUT OF BOUNDS
(IOOB) RULE
Explanation and Rationale

Recent USGA modifications related to Internal Out of Bounds (IOOB) have created understandable questions among players. While the USGA has updated its guidance, the Rules of Golf explicitly allow committees and local clubs to maintain internal out of bounds boundaries when safety concerns justify doing so.

After extensive discussion, the SMMC Board has determined that shots finishing across the road adjacent to Hole #17 present clear risks, including:

• danger to players attempting to hit back across the roadway,

• risk to pedestrians using paths alongside or crossing the road,

• danger to vehicles traveling on the road, and

• potential damage to personal or club property.

Because these risks are significant and unavoidable if players attempt to play balls from across the road, the Board is exercising its authority under the USGA Rules of Golf to continue enforcing the pre‑existing internal OOB boundary.

This decision aligns fully with USGA provisions, which state that Committees may retain or implement internal out‑of‑bounds areas where doing so is necessary for player safety, pedestrian safety, or protection of property.

SMMC Local Bylaw: Internal Out of Bounds — Holes #17

Internal Out of Bounds (IOOB) – Road Adjacent to Hole #17

1. Designation of Out of Bounds
The paved road running along adjacent to the hole #17 shall remain Out of Bounds (OOB) for all SMMC play. This road defines a boundary line for the entirety of the hole

2. Areas Across the Road
Any ball that comes to rest across this road—including but not limited to the areas surrounding the:

• Hole #11 Tee Box

• Hole #10 Green 

• Hole #18 Tee Box

is deemed Out of Bounds. Standard USGA stroke‑and‑distance relief applies.

3. Prohibition on Playing a Ball From Across the Road
*  No player may attempt to play a stroke from any area located across the road described above.
*  A ball resting across the road is OOB without exception.
*  Stroke‑and‑distance applies—play your next shot from the previous spot with a one‑stroke penalty or drop in the fairway perpendicular to where the ball crossed the out-of-bounds line. 

Summary for Members

• The road along Hole #17 remains Out of Bounds.

• Any ball that finishes across the road is automatically OOB.

• Stroke‑and‑distance applies—play your next shot from the previous spot with a one‑stroke penalty or drop in the fairway perpendicular to where the ball crossed the out-of-bounds line. 

• These rules remain in place due to clear safety concerns reviewed and unanimously supported by the SMMC Board.

Local Rule – Preferred Lies (Lift, Clean & Place) 6" RELIEF DISTANCE

When a player’s ball lies in the general area cut to fairway height or less, the player may take relief once per ball by lifting, cleaning, and placing the ball within 6 inches of its original spot, no nearer the hole, and still within the same area of the course.

• The ball must be placed, not dropped.

• The relief area is 6 inches, measured from the original spot.

• The ball must be returned to a spot no closer to the hole and must remain in the same condition/location the ball was in originally (i.e., fairway, light rough, heavy rough, etc.). 

• If the ball does not stay at rest after it is placed, proceed under Rule 14.2e (place again, then place on nearest spot where it will stay at rest).

Penalty for playing from a wrong place: General penalty (two strokes in stroke play or loss of hole in match play).

Determination of Preferred Lies: The Tournament Director will decide when this rule is in effect. 

Casual water or ground under repair under 16.1 is still in effect: if puddles form from rain/irrigation, affecting your lie, stance, or swingfull then relief is provided as per USGA guidelines. You must find the nearest point of complete relief—not closer to the hole—and drop within one club-length. This does not apply to mere wetness, dew, or frost

Explanation for Players & Posting

This Local Rule is adopted to ensure fair play when course conditions prevent normal playability—for example, after heavy rain, winter turf conditions, or maintenance that results in excessive mud on fairways.

Why 6 inches?

SMMC uses a 6‑inch preferred‑lies relief distance to:

• Provide enough room to move the ball from mud, bare lies, or inconsistent turf

• Avoid excessive advantage gained from a full club‑length

• Keep play moving under wet or damaged‑turf conditions

A 6‑inch placement is widely used for club and league play because it maintains fairness while ensuring the course’s condition does not overly penalize players.

A requirement from the Arizona Golf Association is for each club to complete a handicap review for all members of the club at a minimum annually.

A handicap review in golf is a process by the Handicap Chairman to ensure a player's Handicap Index accurately reflects their demonstrated ability, using software tools to flag inconsistencies like consistently low scores (below index) or high scores (above index). Reviews can be initiated by the chairman or the player, considering factors like performance, injuries, course changes, or rules violations, and can result in an index adjustment (typically up to 2 strokes) to maintain fairness in competition.

The San Marcos Men's Club will comply with this in the following ways:

• Will run it at least annually but reserve the right to run it before Major tournaments (Calcutta, Club Championship, Match Play)

• If an individual is listed for an adjustment, the details will be reviewed by the Handicap Chairman, and then reviewed with the entire San Marcos Men's Club Board.  

• If an adjustment is recommended based on this review, the Handicap Chairman will discuss the results with the individual prior to making a change and any additional information or factors can be considered based on that conversation.

• The final determination is made with the board and changes applied to the handicap one time.

Below is a link to the details of the Handicap Review by the USGA.

Appendix D: Handicap Review

Next Topic:

Entering Scores into the USGA GHIN Handicap site or Mobile App.

As discussed in our first meeting in 2026, all members are required to enter their scores into the USGA GHIN Handicap site or through the Mobile App.   As a club, entering those timely ensure they are up to date for all of our dates we play.  Some things to remember:

• Enter the same day you play, good rule of thumb is to do it when you are done playing or when you get home so you don't forget.

• Recommend using the hole by hole option to allow the software to make the appropriate adjustments (i.e., if you can have a triple or worst on a given hole).  If you have questions about entering hole by hole or need assistance, contact the Handicap Chairman and he will be happy to assist you.

• The Handicap Chairman will validate that scores are entered the following day.  If scores are not entered the following day of play or entered incorrectly, the Handicap Chairman will make those adjustments.  The Handicap Chairman will let that person know what they did so they are aware and can fix for the future.

• If an individual does not consistently enter in their scores or correct adjustments, the Handicap Chairman with consultation from the board can make adjustments to scores/handicaps to account for any delays.

• Scores should be posted for all times playing, regardless of our normal Monday, Wednesday, Friday, or Saturday tournaments or if you play at another course.