HLGC LOCAL RULES
HLGC plays by USGA Rules, as modified by several HLGC Local Rules
adopted to facilitate pace of play and other considerations.
Distance Measuring Devices: Players may use electronic devices that measure distance. The use of devices that gauge or measure other conditions that might affect play (e.g., wind or gradient) is not permitted. Since distance information is a matter of permitted information exchange, it is not advice and can be freely shared, either orally or through the shared use of a distance measuring device.
Embedded Ball: Anywhere ‘through the green’ (includes rough, but not hazards, tee boxes, or other greens), a ball embedded in its own pitch mark may be lifted without penalty, cleaned and dropped as near as possible to the spot where it lay but not nearer the hole.
Ground Under Repair (usually marked with white lines): (1) If ground under repair is not marked, you may take free relief (1 club length) if your playing companions agree. (2) Free lift and drop within 1 club length from nearest point of relief, not nearer the hole, from small seedlings or shrubs (1 club length high or less), all flower beds and mulched areas, re-sodded areas, areas worn by cart use, and posts and ropes around greens if post is not movable.
Lost Ball: If you haven’t played a provisional ball, drop another ball near where the first ball was lost and add 2 strokes. If ball is found after you play the dropped ball, you must continue to play the second ball (unless your shot with the dropped ball does not advance beyond the lie of the initial ball, in which case you play the initial ball). If you are certain that your ball is lost in ground under repair or in casual water, you do not have to take a penalty stroke for the lost ball.
Out of Bounds-White Stakes: HLGC Local Rule: If you haven’t played a provisional ball, drop another ball near where the first ball went out of bounds and add 2 strokes. USGA Rule: If ball goes out of bounds, 1 stroke penalty and drop a ball as near as possible to the spot from where the original ball was last played (may re-tee if initial shot was teed). A ball is OB when all of it lies out of bounds. See also Provisional Ball.
Fairway Bunkers: Stones in fairway bunkers are deemed to be movable obstructions and may be removed without penalty. If your ball moves as a direct result of the removal, the ball is replaced without penalty.
Advice: During an HLGC major tournament a player cannot ask for or give advice. Advice is any counsel or suggestion that could influence a player in determining her play, her choice of a club, or the method of making a stroke (information on the Rules or on matters of public information such as yardages, or the position of hazards or the flagstick is not advice.) Penalty for breach: 2 strokes.
Lift, Clean and Place: Under certain circumstances, HLGC may announce the opportunity for players to Lift, Clean and Place their balls in their own fairway. Announced in advance of the beginning of play, and when in use you do not need to mark your ball and you may place it within 1 club length of its initial position.
Rules Committee: Members of the HLGC Rules Committee are considered to be “Fellow Competitors” and not “Rules Officials” when playing in the same HLGC competitions. When a player is uncertain as to a ruling during play, the player may elect to exercise USGA Rule 3-3 (Doubt as to Procedure) and play a second ball. After play, a ruling must be made in the clubhouse before signing the scorecard by consulting with our local Herndon Pros (Steve Clary and/or Julie Whitehead). Every member is responsible for knowing and abiding by the Rules of Golf. Failure to follow the Rules of Golf may result in penalties in accordance with the Rules of Golf.