First Hill Golf Club

Rules For 2010 Tournaments

With the following exceptions, all First Hill Golf Club tournaments will be played in accordance with official USGA Rules:
 

• Lost ball in the fairway – If all members of the foursome agree that a ball was lost in the fairway, another ball may be dropped where it is estimated that the ball landed and played with no penalty.
   
• Lost ball or out of bounds – If a ball is lost off the fairway, and assuming no water hazard, a ball can be dropped within 2 club-lengths from the estimated point of entry, no closer to the hole, adding a two stroke penalty. The two stroke penalty and drop is used as an option to the USGA Rule that would require a player to return to the point where they hit the original shot with one penalty stroke added.
   

• Distance measuring devices - GPS and/or range finding devices may be used in FHGC tournaments.
   

• Local Rules - Each course may have local rules that are exceptions to USGA Rules. Be sure to check your scorecard before each round.
   

The following official USGA Rules are documented to ensure consistent use by First Hill golfers during tournament play:
 

• Summer Rules will be in effect for all FHGC tournaments unless posted otherwise at the course or modified at the discretion of the Tournament Director.
   

• Winter Rules (if in effect): Through the green, a ball may be lifted, cleaned, and placed up to 6 inches from its original position, no closer to the hole. Winter Rules may not be used if your ball is within 36 inches of a tree, shrub, hazard, OB marker, etc., or if it is in a hazard or bunker.
   

• No Gimmes: In all tournaments where you play your own ball you must putt out on every hole. Even during team match/medal competitions, you are still competing for individual honey pot and club low net payouts.
   

• If you hit into a water hazard (marked by yellow stakes) – 1) play the ball as it lies (no penalty). You cannot ground your club in a hazard. 2) hit again from where you hit the original shot. 3) drop a ball anywhere backwards on the extension of a line from the flagstick and the point where your ball first crossed the hazard. In addition to the above, for a lateral water hazard only (marked by red stakes) 4) drop 2 club lengths from point of entry, no closer to the hole. One stroke penalty for options 2, 3, and 4.
   

• Out of bounds (marked by white stakes). The inside edge of the OB marker closest to the fairway at ground level is the boundary. Look from one marker to the next. If any part of the ball is in bounds, then the ball is in bounds. You cannot move an OB marker or get relief from the OB post/fence.
   

• Provisional ball - if you think your ball might be out of bounds or lost then you should hit a provisional ball (add one stroke penalty). You must declare this as a provisional ball to the other players, otherwise you have just put your second ball into play and given up the option to play your original ball if found.
   

• Unplayable lie – 1) drop a ball within 2 club lengths, no closer to the hole. 2) extend a line between the flagstick and the spot where the ball lies and drop anywhere backwards on that line. 3) go back to where you hit the original shot. One stoke penalty for all 3 options. If you declare an unplayable lie in a bunker and use option 1 or 2 you must drop in the bunker.
   

• Free Relief – You may take free relief from an immovable obstruction (cart path, protective fence, etc) if the obstruction interferes with your stance or swing (but not your intended line of flight). Take your stance from either side of the ball (no closer the hole) where there is no interference from the obstruction. The nearest point of relief is where the distance from your original ball position to the relief ball position is the shortest. Drop a ball within 1 club length of your nearest point of relief, no closer to the hole (no penalty). Please note that relief from the obstruction does not entitle you to relief from anything else. Your relief position may be near a bush, tree, OB stake, etc, where you have a restricted swing. In that case it may be advisable to play the ball from its original position instead of taking relief or declare an unplayable lie (see above).
   

• Ground under repair – drop within one club length of your nearest point of relief that is no closer to hole (no penalty). Not all GUR conditions may be clearly marked. If in doubt about declaring GUR ask another member of your foursome to take a look before proceeding. Use your best judgment as to what is most fair (to you and your fellow competitors).
   

• If your ball strikes you or your equipment (or team member), including your golf cart, play the ball as it lies (add one stroke penalty). If you hit a non- team member or their equipment play the ball as it lies (no penalty). 
   

• If you hit the wrong ball go back to where you first played the wrong ball and finish the hole with the correct ball (add a 2 stroke penalty). Any strokes made with the wrong ball do not count. 
   

• Important - if you feel there has been a rule violation, then you must let the other golfers know immediately. If you are unable to settle the matter, write down both scores and bring the rules question to a FHGC Board Member. It is the responsibility of every golfer to know and abide by the Rules of Golf.

Current version adopted February 10, 2010.