HWGL LOCAL RULES
Updated April 2026
IT IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR ALL OF US TO "PROTECT THE FIELD" DURING OUR TOD'S. IF A SITUATION ARISES IN YOUR GROUP OVER THE INTERPRETATION OF A GOLF RULE, PLEASE TRY TO RESOLVE IT AS A GROUP. IF THE SITUATION CANNOT BE RESOLVED TO EVERYONE'S SATISFACTION, PLEASE BRING IT TO THE ATTENTION OF THE RULES COMMITTEE SO THAT A FINAL DECISION CAN BE MADE.
- First group may MOVE the markers in the tee box.
- Improvements are allowed on the putting green including REPAIRING ball marks and FIXING the shape of the hole.
- Pace of Play.... Play "Ready Golf". Don't lose sight of the group in front of you.
- Picking Up.... If you reach 5 over par, you must pick up your ball and put a box around your score for that hole. Maximum score is 8 on par 3's, 9 on par 4's and 10 on par 5's. You are still eligible for the TOD. Tiebreaks will go to a non-boxed score.
- Scorecards.... Each group is required to keep accurate scorecards listing the players IN TEE TIME ORDER with their course handicaps. The cards must be dated, signed and attested to in order to be eligible for the TOD. TWO MATCHED CARDS ARE TO BE TURNED IN AFTER THE ROUND.
- USGA/GHIN INDEX AND WORLD HANDICAP SYSTEM
Golfers are required BY THE WHS to maintain a GHIN. Posting Hole by Hole on day of play is also required. Any incorrect scores can only be corrected by your "home course" administrator.
- Weekly Competition.... HWGL uses Net Play to determine the outcome of our weekly competitions. All players will participate in the TOD.
- Net Competitions ... Use same day CHC for TOD net competitions. Maximum course handicap for TOD is 36. DURING TEAM EVENTS, FULL HANDICAPS WILL BE USED
- Match of Cards (MOC) .... Is used when players have the same final score in a net competition.
The tie break is based on the best net score on the #1 handicap hole. If tie isn't broken go to the #2 handicap hole and so on.
- Preferred Lies .... HWGL allows the rolling of the ball in the fairway-no closer to the pin and no more than 6 inches.
- Free Relief on Hardpan.... Can only be taken if your ball has come to rest on a large root OR imbedded gravel or stone. Place the ball on the nearest tuft of grass no closer to the pin. Ball must still be on pan
- Hole #4—Free relief from damaged cart path area near drop zone on right side of fairway. Roped off area.
- Hole #6—Free relief from protective back stop fence. No closer to the hole.
- Bunkers—Lift, clean (with foot) and place.
- For Discrepencies—Play two balls. Take a picture if you wish for discussion by the Rules Committee.
- Lost Ball or Ball Out of Bounds—Player should take a provisional shot if they think their ball is lost or out of bounds for a one shot penalty. Or, the player has the option of dropping a ball two club lengths into the fairway where the ball went in for a 2 stroke penalty.
- Ball in Woods even in poison ivy—Play it as it lies/ no penalty or
- Unplayable Ball Treat your ball a unplayable and you have 3 options for a 1 stroke penalty. 1. Take lateral relief 2 club lengths from the ball. 2. Replay ball from the last position. 3. Back on the line of relief, going straight back in line with the pin.
Some reasonable decisions:
- Free relief from goose poop.
- Free drop if crow steals ball.
- Ball goes down drainage hole.
- Relief from aeration holes.
- Drop zones on 1, 4, 8,& 9
REMEMBER A WHIFF COUNTS AS A STROKE
CLARIFICATION OF RULES
RELIEF FROM ELEVATED CART PATHS
If your golf ball is on or near a cart path, and the path interferes with your stance, your intended swing,
or the lie of your ball, you can take free relief. This means you can find a spot where the path no longer interferes and drop your ball one club length from that spot (no closer to the hole) and play from there.
LATERAL WATER HAZARDS
A player has four choices to get their ball out of a lateral water hazard for a penalty of ONE STROKE
1. Drop a ball within two club lengths (not nearer to the hole) from where the ball entered the water.
2. Replay the shot.
3. Drop a ball behind the hazard on a straight line from the hole through the spot where the ball Crossed over the hazard.
4. Use the DROP ZONE…..you can use the drop zone on your second or third shot shot if needed as well!
PICKING UP BALL
The only time you can pick up your ball is if you reached the mandatory +5 on a hole. All other putts must be completed…..even if your ball is an inch away. There are no gimmies during league play.