The Carl Spackler Open tee will be played from approximately 6,450 yards. Participants older than 50 years of age AND +15 or more stroke handicap have a modified shorter yardage.

WATER HAZARDS: Ponds, marsh, wetlands, creeks, lakes, and rivers are normally indicated by yellow or red stakes (or lines). The Carl Spackler Open has simplified the rules and handles both colors (yellow and red) exactly the same way. When no stakes or lines are found near an obvious water hazard, the hazard is expanded to include balls in water or places within 20 yards of the water. A green, its fringe, and fairway cannot be declared a hazard. Relief Option 1: Play the ball as it lies with no penalty. Relief Option 2: Take one penalty stroke, designate the spot where the ball crossed into the hazard, and drop a ball (from shoulder high) outside the hazard no closer to the hole. Relief Option 3: Play USGA Rules of Golf. Summary: A golfer who hits his tee shot into a pond, accepts penalty of one-stroke, and drops a ball (from shoulder high) outside the hazard, would be hitting his 3rd shot.

WHITE STAKES: Out of Bounds is normally indicated by white stakes (or lines). Out of bounds is generally found when balls cross a road or leave golf course property. Relief Option 1: Take two penalty strokes, designates the spot where the ball crossed the white stakes, and drop another ball (from shoulder high) in-bounds. Relief Option 2: Play USGA Rules of Golf.

LOST BALL: Relief Option 1: Take two penalty strokes, designates the spot where you last saw the ball, and drop another ball (from shoulder high). Relief Option 2: Play USGA Rules of Golf. A golfer who loses a ball, accepts penalty of two strokes, and drops shoulder high would be hitting his 4th shot.

UNPLAYABLE LIES: A player may take an unplayable lie anywhere on the course including the middle of the fairway. By penalty of 1 stroke, a golfer must drop two club lengths no closer to the hole from the unplayable lie. Unplayable lies normally prohibit the free swing of the golf club.

FREE DROPS: A player may obtain free relief or drop from a fairway divot or a cart path. All man-made objects such as stakes, fences and signs receive a free drop with no penalty. Your partner should assist. Drops are no closer to the hole.

LONG PUTT: The longest putt made on each hole receives long putt points. Mark your distance proactively and putt when partners are not standing on the green or ready to play. (1) Fringe putts and short chips do not count. (2) The putter must fit between the ball and the hole to be valid. The shortest putter in the group is not able to be used for measurement. (3) Long putts cannot be longer than its previous putt. (4) Golfers cannot three-putt or worse and receive long putt points.

GIMME: The Captains Club proudly supports two forms of gimme. (1) Golfers may take a gimme (one stroke) if scoring zero points on the hole. (2) If already taking a zero points on a hole, a golfer may drop with no penalty at the 100 yard red disc in the middle of the fairway. The gimme rule speeds up pace of play while still allowing for long putt points. All other forms of gimme are prohibited.

PAR 3's: Golfers can receive points for triple-bogey. Golfers cannot use drop zones regardless of 'golf course' rules. Golfers who hit a ball into the water can move up a single tee or use hazard rules (red or yellow) described above. Eventually a golfer can take a 'gimme' as defined above.

DO NOT TOUCH YOUR BALL UNLESS IT IS LYING MOTIONLESS ON THE GREEN. NO FLUFFING.