Lost Ball

Question
Dan, in one of your answers you talked about the player being able to take relief from a "lost  ball in fairway" under abnormal ground conditions.  Does the local club have to contact the USGA for permission to invoke such a ruling?  Abnormal conditions can pop up overnight after heavy rains.  How would the USGA respond quickly?  Or does the local club have the authority to declare abnormal ground conditions on their own?  Thanks!

Answer
Hello Allen:
Thanks for asking this question.

Golf is really a game with a lot of fun and challenges but should be played under the governing rules.  Sometimes the rule seems to be too harsh or non-sensible, but we all know that rule has be be honored as much as possible.

I believe that every club and committee that undertake the game or tournament has a local rule consistent with and authorized by USGA beforehand.

Please refer to USGA golf rule website below for more details.
Thanks.


http://www.usga.org/Rule-Books/Rules-of-Golf/Appendix-I/