USGA Rules apply during play, along with four PinShot Golf Local Rules:
– Players have 12 minutes to complete each hole as timed by a constantly-running game clock displayed on every video board on the property. A music-themed ‘horn’ will signal the start and finish of play for each hole. An interval of 1 minute will be provided to allow groups to move between holes. Ready-golf will be played at all times; find it and hit it. With this game clock, 12 holes will always be played in 2 hours 48 minutes, while a 6 hole half-round will always be played in 1 hour 37 minutes – even if the golf course is completely full.
– The maximum score a player may take on any hole is double-bogey (coinciding with the USGA Rule for Handicaps). A player may hit as many shots as desired on a hole, but shall not post a score higher than double-bogey. Once the 12 minute horn sounds, play for that hole is finished even if the ball is not yet holed: the player simply picks up the ball, moves toward the next tee, and records a score of double-bogey for that hole.
– The maximum number of clubs a player may carry is 5. This makes walking and carrying a bag easy for all. For a low-handicap man, a set containing a 5-, 7-, 9-iron, sand wedge and putter will be common. Juniors or players who hit the ball shorter distances might opt for a hybrid or fairway metal instead of long irons. Some ‘low-speed’ players may even choose driver as one of their five clubs.
– A player shall only carry clubs that can be hit under 200 yards±. This rule makes PinShot Golf more strategic, focusing on tee shot positioning and second-shot variety. To ensure this rule is followed, a set of Tee Shot Hazard stakes will cross each par-4 fairway at 230 yards from the back tee, usually within a small strip of rough that crosses the fairway. A player who hits a tee shot past this hazard line will add a one-stroke penalty to his score, return the ball to the nearest point behind that line, then strike the second shot.