B.A.G.S. events are played under USGA rules with the following local rules in effect:

1. A ball may be played PROVISIONALLY for a ball that is likely to be lost in a water hazard for the purpose of speeding up play. (See Rules of Golf, Appendix 1, part A, #2b)

2. Free relief is allowed for an embedded ball through the green in its own pitch mark, except in marked hazards. (See Rule 25-2 and Appendix 1, part A, #4a)

3. Stones in bunkers may be removed if the stones affect the path of the intended stroke. (See Appendix 1, part A, #5b)

4. Free relief may be taken from unpaved roads and paths if they may unfairly affect play. (See Appendix 1, part A, #5Cii).

5. Relief may be taken if your ball comes to rest in an aeration hole through the green or on the green. Drop (through the green) or place (if on the green) as near as possible, no closer to the hole. (See Appendix 1, part B, #4d)

6. In addition to ball damage, spike marks may also be repaired on the greens.

1. Occasionally BAGS, like the P.G.A. Tour, may use a local "lift, clean, and place" rule. If this rule is being used, you will be told when you check in for that event. When we play "lift, clean, and place" it means just that. You mark the ball, lift, optionally clean it, and place within one club length. You are only allowed to place the ball one time. When in effect, this option only applies to balls in the closely mown areas of the hole you are playing. (See Appendix 1, part B, #4c) You may not touch the ball with your club to "roll the ball over."

2. Another occasional local rule that BAGS may adopt on extremely tight courses with many unmarked hazard areas, or on courses where the red (lateral hazard) stakes have been knocked down over the course of the season and not replaced, is to play "full course lateral". This means that no provisional balls should be played for possible "lost ball" situations. Rather you should determine, as best possible, where the ball last crossed an open area and treat that as the point that you may now drop laterally from while adding a one stroke penalty. If the ball is found within the 5 minute time limit for searching and the area is not marked by red stakes as an actual hazard area, the ball must be played where it lies or must be taken as an unplayable lie under the rules of golf.  Areas that are marked as out of bounds are still OOB, and you must take the normal stroke and distance penalty unless given other instructions before the round by a B.A.G.S.' official..