Rules
Section A: General Rules
All association events must be played with an accredited member of HHLGL.
Play days are on Thursdays, April through October. Tee times are shotgun starts at 8:00 a.m. in April, September, and October and at 7:30 a.m. May through August. This is subject to change. Please arrive at the course 30 minutes before the shotgun start.
The Tournament Committee will make the decision to cancel play due to inclement weather. In the case of cancellation, you will receive an email by 6:00 am. If play is cancelled and you have signed up to play you will receive credit.
To be eligible for daily prizes, each member must sign the play day sheet before teeing off and check the appropriate boxes. In addition, they must have posted at least 90% of their scores from previous play days. Guests are not eligible to win play day prizes.
Only one player should be recorded on each scorecard for individual competitions (non-team events). For each scorecard to be complete and the member eligible for prizes, each card should have your current handicap, be totaled, dated, signed, attested and have “event of the day” figured. It is the members responsibility to post her adjusted score to the GHIN and record all birdies, eagles, holes in one, and chip-ins on the play day sheet and in the birdie book.
There must be a minimum of 8 players to establish an official weekly tournament.
To establish an initial handicap index, members must submit scores from a minimum of 54 holes (can be a mixture of 9 and 18-hole scores) and pay GHIN fees.
Adjust scores before posting for GHIN Handicap only, using the USGA System of Adjusted Gross Score.
USGA System of Adjusted Gross Score
A score for handicap purposes should not be overly influenced by one or two bad holes that are not reflective of a player’s demonstrated ability. Therefore, when posting your score the maximum score to post on any hole is net double bogey, calculated as follows:
If a player does not currently have a handicap index, the maximum score on a hole is “par + 5.
Section B: HHLGL Local Rules (Updated April 2024)
1. Maximum Score: All play is governed by the USGA Rules of Golf. A player’s score is capped at double par on regular play days. A player MUST pick up at double par if she has not holed out. This is in line with USGA’s recommendations (Click here to see the recommendation). Golfers will be expected to hole out during the major tournaments.
2. Distance Measuring Devices: In ALL HHLGL events, a player may obtain distance information by using a device that measures distance only. Devices that can measure other conditions (slope, wind speed, etc.) may not be used. If it is possible to turn the additional measurements oM, the player MUST do so and then the device may be used.
3. Ground Under Repair: Ground under repair is marked by enclosed white lines. Washed out areas along the sides of the cart path, material piled for removal, newly laid sod, holes made by a greenskeeper, stumps and old tree holes are ground under repair even if not marked.
4. Penalty Areas and Out of Bounds: All penalty areas at Harpeth are marked by red stakes and/or lines. In addition to white stakes and lines, the following are considered out of bounds:
a. Driving range fence to the left of hole #1
b. The road to the left of holes #9 and #10
5. Greenside Fans: All circulating fans are considered Temporary Immovable Obstructions. Free relief will be provided under rule 16.1b if the player has interference with their swing, stance or intended line of play.
6. Doubt as to procedure (Rule 20.1c(3)): In stroke play, if a player is doubtful of her rights or the correct procedure during the play of a hole, she may, without penalty, complete the hole with two balls. The player must announce to her opponent(s) that she intends to play two balls and indicate which ball she wishes to count if the Rules permit. The competitor must report the facts of the situation to either the Tournament Chair or Rules Chair (or, in their absence, the course pro) BEFORE returning her scorecard, even if she scored the same with both balls. If she fails to do so, she is disqualified from the competition.
7. Handicaps: The handicap of 54 can be used on play days, but major tournaments and match play competition will use a maximum handicap of 36. You must have an established handicap to participate in the game of the day as well as our major tournaments.
8. Tournaments: In order to qualify for the Club Championship, members must have played seven (7) times and posted at least 90% of their scores. New members joining after June 1st of the current year must have played four (4) times and posted at least 90% of her scores. To qualify for the Handicap Tournament, players must have played five (5) times and posted at least 90% of her scores. To qualify for the Memorial Tournament, players must have played three (3) times and posted at least 90% of her scores. The Tournament Committee can waive the number of play day requirements for extenuating circumstances such as surgery, extended illnesses, etc.
During tournament play, default by a member will eliminate her from further play in the tournament.
9. Ties: All players involved in a tie on a regular play day will be awarded equal prizes. In the event of a tie in a major tournament, the tie will be broken according to the procedure recommended by the USGA in the Rule Book.
10. Guests: Guests invited to play in a handicapped Club event (e.g. Member/Guest – not a regular play day) must show proof of current USGA Index Handicap or submit at least five current score cards to the Tournament Hostess so a handicap can be calculated. Failure to do so will result in the member and her guest being ineligible for prizes.
11. Putts: All (and only) strokes on the putting surface shall be counted or recorded as putts for our play day putting contests.
Match Play Rules
Pairings will be made by a blind draw. Once the pairings are made, the player with the lowest handicap will have her handicap subtracted from the other player. The resulting number will be assigned to the player with the higher handicap and will stroke her card (or be stroked by the Tournament Chair) on the most difficult holes. Example: Player A has a handicap of 18 and Player B has a handicap of 30. Player B will receive 12 strokes on holes with difficulty of 1-12.
The player winning a hole always tees off first.
The winner of a match is determined by the number of holes won by a player.
The player in match play who is away from the hole always plays first. Playing out of turn may result in player having to replay the shot (unless permission was given to play out of turn by her opponent).
A putt may be conceded if the opponent so desires.
The match is over when the number of holes left to be played are less than the number of holes by which a player has won. Example: Player A is leading by three (3) holes and there are only two (2) holes left to be played.
Let the hostesses know on the sign up sheet you are playing a match.
Questions about the Rules of Golf
If you have questions about the rules, you can ask our Rules Chair or the Course Pro, Kevin Forte. In addition, you can always check out the rule at the USGA Rules Site.