Rules of Play

Tees BLACK Tees.  Players 60 and older with a handicap of 10 or above may play the GOLD Tees, with appropriate Handicap adjustment.
Competition  Rules  U.S.G.A. Rules govern all play; 14 Club Rule is in effect, 1 ball rule is NOT in effect.

 

Handicaps  Players will receive their current handicap index as of September 15, 2017.  Guests must have a reliable, verifiable USGA handicap or supply verifiable score cards with name, date, signed scores, enough to provide a handicap trend.  
In accordance with the USGA Handicap Manual participants will receive 90% of their individual handicap.  Matches will be played off the “low ball” in each match. 

 

Handicap Committee and Peer Review

The committee reserves the right to implement peer review on any player that falls into the “Exceptional Tournament Score”.  If an adjustment is necessary, previous matches will be re-scored in the fairness of the competition.   

 

Measuring Devices  In this competition a player may obtain distance information by using a device measuring distance only. If, during a stipulated round, a player uses a distance measuring device that is designed to gauge or measure other conditions affecting play (i.e. gradient, wind speed, temperature, etc.) the player is in breach of Rule 14-3, for which the penalty is disqualification.

 

Scores  Please record all GROSS scores for handicap posting. Firethorne C.C. Members and their Guests will have their scores posted as 9-Hole Rounds by the Golf Staff.

 

Most Likely Score  A most likely score is the score a player must post for handicap purposes if a hole is started but not completed or if the player is conceded a stroke. The most likely score consists of the number of strokes already taken plus, in the player’s best judgment , the number of strokes the player would take to complete the hole from the position more than half the time. The number may not exceed the player’s Equitable Stroke Control (ESC).

 

Music  The playing of music during the round is allowed under the rules of Golf.  We ask players to please be respectful of their playing competitors and the field.  We suggest , if you choice to play music, the volume is at a level that can only be heard within your own cart.  The Golf Shop reserves the right to ask players to turn the volume down at anytime.

 

Match Play Rules  Players please remember the agreement to waive the rules of golf, even if both parties are aggregable is NOT permissible and will result in a disqualification. 

 

Local Rules

Rule 25-1B Abnormal Ground Conditions.  Players may take relief from newly laid sod or un-repaired man made disturbance.

 

Rule 25-2 Embedded Ball.  A ball embedded in it’s own pitch mark in the ground in any closely mown area through the green may be lifted, cleaned and dropped, without penalty as near as possible to the spot where it lay but not nearer the hole. 

 

Rule 4-4  The player must not start a stipulated round with more than 14 clubs .

 

Rule 16-1 (1)  Players are reminded, while making a stroke on the putting green, a player shall not allow his partner to position himself on or close to an extension of the line of putt in front or behind the ball.

 

Pace of Play  No group shall fall more than one hole behind.  It is the “Groups” responsibility to keep pace with the group in front.  If a group falls more than one hole behind, a warning will be given.  The group is given two holes to close the gap, failure to do so will result in a 2-point penalty.

 

Rule 2-4  Concession of Next Stroke. Provided the ball is at rest, a player may concede his opponent’s next stroke at any time.  The ball is considered holed out with the next stroke.  A concession may not be declined or withdrawn.  The penalty for breach of this rule is loss of hole. 

A conceded putt may not be putted if it will assist

your partner in playing his next stroke.

 

If a ruling cannot be made by the players or their competitors, players should flag down, call the Head Golf Professional or a claim must be made prior to teeing off on the next hole.  All rulings shall be final.

 

Flights - Will consist of 6 teams of similar team handicap indexes.  At the end of the 5 round robin matches the team with the most total points will be deemed the flight winner.

 

Tiebreakers - In the event of a tie, the results from the head to head match between the two teams shall determine the flight winner.  If a tie still exists, a match of cards starting with the last hole played in the head to head match continuing until the tie is broken.

If a tie exists between more than two teams and the head to head matches are unclear, the team with the highest total points in head to head matches.  If tie still exists Head Golf Professional will establish a tiebreaker.

 

Byes - In the instance of un-even flights, a bye will be handled as follows; A team’s match that is scheduled against “bye” will play their match against par.  The match points are the same as a regular match.  The team will receive full handicap strokes.