The Woods Club – Golf Course Rules, Attire & Player Policies

General Course Access & Conduct

• All players must check in with the golf shop prior to play.
• The club reserves the right to assign starting times, golf carts, and pairings.
• Singles and twosomes may be paired with other players at the discretion of golf staff.
• Fivesomes or larger groups are not permitted.
• Players must maintain pace of play consistent with course standards.
• Golf staff and rangers have full authority to enforce course rules, pace, and safety standards.

Dress Code

Proper golf attire is required on all courses and practice facilities.

Acceptable Attire:

• Collared shirts or appropriate golf-specific tops
• Slacks, golf shorts, skorts, or golf dresses
• Soft-spike or appropriate golf footwear

Prohibited Attire:

• Denim
• Cut-offs
• Gym shorts
• Tank tops (unless specifically approved golf attire)
• Swimwear
• Offensive or excessively casual clothing

Management reserves the right to determine appropriateness of attire.

Children & Junior Golfers

All Children and Junior Golfers must be playing golf and have the capability to swing the golf club independently.

Mountain View Golf Course

• Minimum age requirements apply
  • 5 & Under: Not permitted on course or in carts
  • 6-10: With adult only
  • 11-15: With adult, may play independently if able to maintain pace and follow safety/etiquette standards, as determined by staff
  • 16-17: May play independently
• Must remain with a supervising adult (same group). The adult is responsible.
• 16+ with license to drive; all riders seated. Only 2 people per cart.
• Waiver required for all minors.
• Staff may remove non-compliant players.

Stony Lick Golf Course

• Junior Golfers (ages 15 and under) may play one free round of golf for each paying adult
  • 5 & Under: With adult only
  • 6-10: With adult only
  • 11-15: With adult, may play independently if able to maintain pace and follow safety/etiquette standards, as determined by staff
  • 16-17: May play independently
• Must remain with a supervising adult (same group). The adult is responsible.
• All riders seated. Only 2 people per cart.
• Staff may remove non-compliant players.

Golf Cart & Spectator Policies

• Only authorized riders are permitted in golf carts.
• Spectators or additional riders may be restricted based on course conditions, liability concerns, or operational demands.
• Cart rules, including path restrictions and weather restrictions, must be followed at all times.
• Drivers are responsible for safe cart operation and any damages.

Alcohol

• Outside alcohol is strictly prohibited.
• Alcohol service is subject to all applicable laws and club discretion.
• Management reserves the right to refuse service.

Enforcement

• The Woods reserves the right to refuse play, remove individuals from the course, or suspend privileges for violations of rules, safety standards, or conduct expectations.
• Repeated or serious violations may result in loss of privileges.

Management Rights

The Woods Club reserves the right to interpret, modify, and enforce all golf course policies in its sole discretion to protect:

• Safety
• Pace of play
• Property
• Member and guest experience
• Legal and insurance compliance

These rules are subject to change without notice.

 

Local Rules

E-3 Preferred Lies in Fairway and Collars/Fringes

USGA Model Local Rule E-3, often called “preferred lies,” “winter rules,” or “lift, clean, and place,” allows players to move a ball in the general area (fairway or less) without penalty. The ball must be lifted, cleaned, and placed within a specified distance—one club-length—no nearer the hole.

Key Aspects of Model Local Rule E-3 (Preferred Lies):

• When It Applies: Only when explicitly put in effect by the Committee due to adverse conditions.
• Where It Applies: Restricted to the “general area” cut to fairway height or less
• Procedure: The player may lift the ball, clean it, and place it within a designated relief area (1 club-length). The ball does not need to be marked, although it is recommended.
• Restrictions: The ball cannot be moved closer to the hole or from the fringe onto the green.
• Penalty: Playing from a wrong place under this rule results in a one-stroke penalty.

E-5 Alternative to Stroke and Distance for Lost Ball or Ball Out of Bounds

USGA Local Rule E-5 allows golfers to play a provisional-style ball from the edge of the fairway with a two-stroke penalty when a ball is lost or out of bounds (OB), rather than returning to the previous spot (stroke-and-distance). It is designed for casual play to improve pace of play, not for elite competitions.

Key Details of Local Rule E-5:

• When to Use: Only if in effect by the Committee. Used when a ball is lost or OB, but NOT for balls in a penalty area.
• Penalty: Two strokes are added.
• Procedure: You may drop a ball in a large relief area: between the point where the ball is estimated to have come to rest/gone OB and the edge of the fairway of the hole being played, not closer to the hole.
• Provisional Ball: You cannot use this rule if you have already played a provisional ball from the original spot.
• If the Original is Found: If the original ball is found within the 3-minute search time, it must be played, and the E-5 drop is invalid.

F-9 Exposed Tree roots or Natural Rocks and Stones

USGA Model Local Rule F-9 allows golfers to free relief from exposed tree roots or natural rocks/stones located in the general area (excluding penalty areas) interferes with their lie or swing, they may take free relief by lifting and dropping the ball within one club-length of the nearest point of complete relief, not closer to the hole.

Key Aspects of Model Local Rule F-9:

• Location: Applies only to roots in “closely mown areas” (fairway height or less), not in the rough.
• Interference: The tree root or natural rocks/stones must interfere with the lie of the ball or the area of intended swing. Interference with stance alone does not qualify.
• Relief Procedure: The player must find the nearest point of complete relief, not nearer the hole, and drop a ball within one club-length of that point.
• Protection: This rule is often adopted to prevent damage to golf clubs and potential injury to players.