In addition to the Local Rules below please check
the notice board for any temporary Local Rules

LOCAL RULES


1. Out of Bounds (Rule 27)
Beyond any boundary hedge of fence of the course plus these specific to the hole;

2nd/11th
On the driving range (over the white stakes).
On or over the 3rd/12th fairway (or green), the first ditch, in front of the 3rd/12th tee, defines the extent of the 3rd fairway.

5th/14th
Over Rays Brook and to the left of the ditch and left of the white stakes approaching the green.

7th/16th
Left of the white stakes.

9th/18th
Right of the lake indicated by white stakes.
Over the path surrounding the putting and chipping greens. (Indicated by white stakes).

2. Water Hazards (Rule 26)
Red stakes define all lateral water hazards.
Yellow stakes define water hazards.

3. Winter tees, Sprinkler heads & Valve boxes
All winter tees their surrounds, sprinkler heads & valve boxes are immovable obstructions
and relief can be taken under Rule 24.2

4. Stones in Bunkers
Stones in bunkers are movable obstructions.
(Rule 24.1)

5. Young Trees
Young trees identified with either stakes or protective wrapping are immovable obstructions
and relief may be taken under Rule 24-2.

6. Drainage Indentations
All drainage indentations "Through the Green" should be treated as immovable obstructions
and relief may be taken under Rule 24-2.

7. Public footpath
Priority must be given to footpath users.

8. Ground Under Repair
All areas marked by GUR notice. Play is prohibited from GUR.

9. Winter rules

  • A ball lying on a closely-mown area through the green may, without penalty, be moved or may be lifted, cleaned and placed within 6 inches of where it originally lay, but not nearer the hole and not in a hazard or on a putting green. A player may move or place his ball once and after the ball has been so moved or placed, it is in play.
    Penalty for breach of this local rule; match play - loss of hole and stroke play - 2 shot penalty
     

  • Through the green, a ball embedded in its own pitch mark in the ground, other than sand, may be lifted without penalty, cleaned and dropped as near as possible to where it lay but not nearer the hole. The ball when dropped must first strike a part of the course through the green.
    Exception a player may not obtain relief under this local rule if it is clearly unreasonable for him to play a stroke because of interference by anything other than the condition covered by this local rule.
    Penalty for breach of this local rule; match play - loss of hole and stroke play - 2 shot penalty




Measuring Devices

Local Rule

Local Rule for Distance Measuring Devices

Decision 14-3/0.5 in the 2008-2009 Decisions on the Rules of Golf enables a Committee to introduce a Local Rule permitting golfers to use a distance measuring device to obtain distance information during a round. Without such a Local Rule, the use of such a distance measuring device is a breach of Rule 14-3, the penalty for which is disqualification.

Following the mapping of HPGC and the introduction of GPS measuring devices for sale and rent the committee have decided that in order to prevent any problems and with the hope that it will enhance the members enjoyment of golf as well as speeding up play the following local rule will be effective for all internal club competitions.

Distance-Measuring Devices:

For all Internal Club Competitions at HPGC a player may obtain distance information by using a device that measures distance only. However, if, during a stipulated round, a player uses a distance measuring device that is designed to gauge or measure other conditions that might affect his play (e.g., gradient, wind-speed, temperature, etc.), the player is in breach of Rule 14-3, for which the penalty is disqualification, regardless of whether any such additional functions are actually used.

Decision 8-1/2 Exchanging Distance

 Information Information regarding the distance between two objects is public information and not advice. It is therefore permissible for players to exchange information relating to the distance between two objects. For example, a player may ask anyone, including his opponent, fellow-competitor or either of their caddies, the distance between his ball and the hole. (Revised)

This club rule became effective in July 2007.

Player Score Entry System

Following the setting up of a Player Score Entry System all competitors will be required
to assist the Committee by entering their own scores as follows.
At the discretion of the committee in charge of any competition the following club rule
will be effective and all competitors must ensure that they return their cards using this system.

 

For today’s competition the following
Club Rule will be effective.

Club Rule: Players responsibility to record score on computer.
Decision 6-6b/8 Requirement that score be entered into computer.

To Assist in the administration of competitions and handicaps at HPGC.The Club Committee have passed that all competitors in addition to signing and returning their scorecard as required by the rules of golf rule 6-6.b, must also enter their scores including non returns into the computer player entry system. Any disputes relating to a competitors score will always be referred back to the original scorecard under the Rules of Golf. In addition if the committee in charge of the competition require competitors to “sign in” they must do so before competing.


Any player who fails to follow the above rule and enter their score correctly
may be banned from further competitions at the Club Committees discretion.

Competition Rule for Horne Park Golf Club

For the purposes of Rule 6. of the Rules of Golf the "Scoring Area" for returning scorecards is considered to be the "Clubhouse" as such a competitor may make alterations to a scorecard provided they have not "Returned" their card.

For competitions at Horne Park Golf Club a scorecard will be considered "Returned" by the competition committee once the competitor has left the clubhouse with no intention of  returning. 

The competition committee should be made aware of any alterations if the scores
have previously been entered into the PC.