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1. Introduction​
This manual outlines the official rules governing play at the official legs of the Upsilonians na Pumapalo, strictly following the United States Golf Association (USGA) and The R&A (The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews) Rules of Golf. Fellows are expected to adhere to these rules to ensure fair play and maintain the integrity of the game.
2. Definitions
For clarity, this manual uses standard USGA and R&A definitions, including:
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Ball in Play – The ball a player is using on the course.
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Teeing Area – The starting point of each hole.
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Penalty Area – Marked areas such as water hazards.
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General Area – The entire course except for the teeing areas, putting greens, and penalty areas.
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Relief Area – The designated area where a player must drop a ball when taking relief.
3. Rules of Play
3.1 Teeing Off​
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Players must tee off from the designated teeing area. A player must tee the ball behind the line created by the tee markers as far back as the length of two drivers and never in front of the tee markers.​
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A player may tee off with any club in his bag, but he may not carry more than 14 clubs in a game.​
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White Tees – 60 years old and above; Blue Tees – 59 years old and below.​
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Order of play follows the honors system i.e., lowest score on the previous hole tees first; otherwise, “ready golf” whenever applicable to speed up play.
3.2 Playing the Ball
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A player must finish a hole with the ball he started with. He may change a ball between holes but not during a hole. However, if he loses a ball during a hole, he can use any other ball as the new ball in play.
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Summer and Winter Rules.- The ball must be played as it lies, otherwise known as Summer Rule. However, the Local Club Rule for the day may allow for relief or preferred lie, also known as Winter Rules. For Winter Rules, players can lift, clean and replace their ball at a distance of one scorecard, not closer to the hole.
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Lost Ball or Out of Bonds (OB).- If a ball is lost or out of bounds, the player must proceed under stroke-and-distance rules.
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The stroke-and-distance rule means that when a player’s ball is lost (outside a penalty area) or goes out of bounds, they must take a one-stroke penalty and replay the shot from the original spot.
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However, the USGA and R&A introduced an alternative local rule (Model Local Rule E-5) that allows players to drop a ball near the point where it crossed out of bounds rather than returning to the original spot. This alternative relief option includes a two-stroke penalty and is intended to speed up play.
For example:
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A player hits a tee shot out of bounds (white stick).
The player must return to the teeing area and play again, adding a penalty stroke (making it their third shot). If the player wishes to drop near the point of entry, a two stroke penalty will be added (making it their fourth shot). The R&A and USGA allow for alternative options under local rules, such as designated drop zones.
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Free Drop.- Players may take relief and take a free drop within one (1) club length from the point of reference not nearer the hole, in the following instances:
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- The ball is in the general area, and there is interference from abnormal course conditions such as temporary water that breaks the surface of the ground;
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- In areas marked as GUR (Ground Under Repair);
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-There is interference from an immovable obstruction, such as a cart path or a fence; or
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-The ball is embedded, except in a bunker or a penalty area.
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In dropping the ball, either with or without a penalty, the ball must be dropped straight down from knee height and must land within the relief area.
3.3 Putting Green
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Players must not step in another player’s putting line.
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The flagstick may be left in or removed at the player’s discretion.
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If a ball is accidentally moved on the green, it must be replaced without penalty.
3.4 Penalty Strokes
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One-stroke penalties apply for:
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Ball in a penalty area.
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Unplayable lies.
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Two-stroke penalties apply for serious rule breaches such as improper drops or playing from the wrong place.
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The R&A and USGA both recognize the importance of applying fair penalties for accidental infractions.
4. Course Etiquette
4.1 Pace of Play
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Players must keep up with the group ahead.
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Ready golf is encouraged in stroke play to speed up the game.
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The R&A and USGA have introduced Pace of Play policies to promote efficiency and enjoyment.
The R&A and USGA Pace of Play policies are designed to ensure a smoother and faster game. Key principles include:
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Maximum Time Per Shot – Players are encouraged to take no more than 40 seconds per stroke, with shorter times preferred.
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Ready Golf – In stroke play, players should hit when ready, rather than strictly following the “honors” system.
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Time Limits for Rounds – Recommended times for 18-hole rounds vary by course but typically range from 3.5 to 4.5 hours.
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Group Responsibility – Groups must keep up with the pace of play and allow faster groups to play through.
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Efficient Course Management – Players should:\n - Walk briskly between shots.\n - Line up putts while others play.\n - Limit pre-shot routines.
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Penalty for Slow Play – If a group falls behind and fails to catch up, referees or marshals may impose penalties.
5. Local Rules
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Preferred lies may be allowed during adverse course conditions (subject to local club rules for the day).
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Distance-measuring devices are permitted (e.g., range finders, Garmin golf watches, etc.).
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Out of Bounds & Penalty Areas – The course follows the standard color-coded marking system:
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White Stakes or Lines – Out of bounds. Stroke-and-distance penalty applies unless an alternative local rule is in place. [Please refer to 3.2 of this manual].
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Red Stakes or Lines – Lateral penalty area. A player may take one-stroke relief by dropping within two (2) club lengths from where the ball last crossed the boundary or use the designated drop zone if available.
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Yellow Stakes or Lines – Water hazard (penalty area). Relief options include playing from the previous spot or dropping behind the hazard, keeping the entry point between the ball and the hole, with a one-stroke penalty.
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Blue Stakes – Ground under repair (or GUR). Free relief is granted.
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Green Stakes or Lines – Environmentally sensitive areas where entry is prohibited. Relief procedures depend on course-specific rules.
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6. Handicapping
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The World Handicap System (WHS) applies.
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Players are required to play a minimum of three (3) Pumapalo games to receive a Pumapalo Handicap.
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The Tour Officials record and tabulate all scores to ensure consistency in handicaps.
Players must:
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Accurately record scores for all rounds played.
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Post scores and submit promptly to maintain a valid handicap index.
7. Pumapalo Tournament Leg Guidelines
Players must register with the Pumapalo Committee before the official start time.
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Mandatory cross-scoring shall be enforced. Caddies are not allowed to score on behalf of any player. Violation of this rule can result to disqualification.
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Scorecards must be submitted immediately after the round, signed by all members of the flight.
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Strictly no mulligans.
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All players are required to hole out on every hole. Conceding putts or “gimmes” is not allowed. This rule shall apply at every tournament, unless the leg is played in a course that has clearly marked “gimme” circles on its greens.
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To speed up play, a player shall pick up his ball when hitting for double par.
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A maximum of only two (2) players from the same Batch are allowed to be on the same flight.
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Players who have not paid their Pumapalo dues for 2025 are not eligible to win raffle prizes, trophies and Golfer of the Year (GOTY) points.
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The field shall be divided into three (3) divisions, namely:
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Founder’s (Class A), Chairman’s (Class B), and President’s (Class C).
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A player’s handicap index is the basis that will be used to determine which division he will be placed in.
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Players who participate in a tournament but do not have a Pumapalo handicap yet will be assigned a same-day handicap via System 36 method. This same-day handicap shall be used to determine their division classification and net score.
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The handicap index cutoffs for each division shall be as follows:
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Founder’s Division – 0 to 16.9
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Chairman’s Division – 17 to 23.9
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President’s Division – 24 and above
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Points System
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1. Overall Champion (lowest net) - 12 points
2. Division Champion - 9 points
3. Division 1st Runner Up - 7 points
4. Division 2nd Runner Up - 5 points
5. Participant - 2 points
6 Lowest Gross - + 2 points
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In case of ties in a tournament leg, the Seniority Rule shall no longer be applied. Tied players shall both be declared winners and awarded the same number of Golfer of the Year (GOTY) points. The trophy will not be shared; however, the senior player shall have the discretion as to who will receive the trophy.
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For purposes of determining the Golfer of the Year (GOTY) Award, points earned from a player’s best nine (9) rounds shall be counted to determine his total GOTY score.
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In case of ties for GOTY at the conclusion of the Pumapalo season, multiple players will be declared winners.
8. Enforcement & Penalties
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The Rules Committee has the final authority to decide on all disputes.
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Repeated breaches of etiquette or rules may result in warnings, penalties, or disqualification from events.
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Decisions will be based primarily on this Pumapalo Manual and, suppletorily, on both USGA and R&A interpretations of the Rules of Golf.
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This manual serves as the official guide for golf play at the official legs of the Upsilonians na Pumapalo. For any questions or clarifications, please consult the Rules Committee members - George Soriano ’86, Jake Puno ’06, Dan Salvador ’07 and Alvin Galvez ‘08.