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HOUSTON AMATEUR GOLF ASSOCIATION

LOCAL TOURNAMENT RULES

1.)  The HAGA sometimes plays courses, which have not been marked to USGA guidelines. The following local rules have been established for such courses.

OUT OF BOUNDS – A ball which comes to rest on or across a paved area, including Roads and Parking Lots and excluding cart paths; are deemed to be OUT OF BOUNDS. A ball, which comes to rest on property which, is not part of the golf course, such as a residential yard; is deemed to be OUT OF BOUNDS.
MARGINS OF A WATER HAZARD – Should a water hazard on the course not be marked with yellow or red stakes, the margin is defined to be the natural limits of the hazard, i.e. where the ground breaks down to form the depression containing the water.


2.)  Since ants are not considered by the USGA to be burrowing animals the following local rules have been established.

    FIRE ANT MOUNDS – A ball which comes to rest on or so near active fire ant mound where the player is in danger when playing a normal shot, the ball is considered to be in GROUND UNDER REPAIR and may be dropped without penalty. See Rule 25.


    3.)  The HAGA has adopted the following local rule, which extends the undue delay rule, Rule 6-7.

    20 MINUTE RULE – Any group which finishes their stipulated round 20 minutes behind the group in front of them is considered to have violated the UNDUE DELAY RULE and each player in the group will be assessed a TWO STROKE PENALTY. Also, if the first group of the tournament finishes their stipulated round in time which the tournament committee deems as unreasonable for the course and circumstances being played, the tournament committee may assess a TWO STROKE PENALTY to each player in that group.

    45 MINUTE RULE-When using Shotgun Tee Start, the time that the first foursome finishes their stipulated round will be noted and each player that finishes 45 minutes behind the posted time is considered to have violated the UNDUE DELAY RULE and will be assessed a TWO STROKE PENALTY.


    4.)  Many courses played by the HAGA, particularly in the hot dry summer months, have large cracks in the earth. The following local rule has been established.

    CRACKS IN THE EARTH – If a players ball comes to rest in a crack at least one-quarter of an inch wide caused by hot dry conditions, and the ball is not in a hazard, the player may obtain relief by lifting the ball and dropping as close to the original spot, no closer to the hole, as deemed practical which gives relief from the ball being in the crack.


    5.)  Some courses played have a list of local rules on the back of their scorecards. In general, the identification of WATER HAZARDS and OUT OF BOUNDS and /or protect young trees and flowers can be used. However, local rules which modify the USGA rules are NOT VALID for HAGA Tournaments (i.e., local rules declaring full time winter rules, free drops from ditches, ball drops at water hazards, etc. are not played by the HAGA).


    6.)  The HAGA has adopted the local rule which defines stones located inside a bunker to be moveable obstructions. See Rule 24.


7.)  The HAGA has adopted the USGA recommended local rule regarding aeration holes. "Through the green, a ball which comes to rest in or on an aeration hole may be lifted without penalty, cleaned and dropped, as near as possible to the spot where it lay not nearer the hole. The ball when dropped must first strike a part of the course through the green. On the putting green, the player shall place the ball at the spot nearest the hole which avoids such situation, no closer to the hole.


8.)  Players may bring guests or a caddie at most courses we play; however, there are exceptions, check with each course played. The HAGA has adopted the following local rule regarding minors. Players may not bring onto the course any child under the age of 12 years old. Breach of this rule is immediate disqualification and the player will be asked to leave the course. The HAGA takes no responsibility for the safety and well being of any player and/or guest during an HAGA tournament. It should also be noted that a player is allow only one caddie at a time and a person who transports the players clubs is considered to be the players caddie. See Rule 6-4.


9.)  Some courses we play in HAGA have a particular dress code. Dress code information may be obtained from the course prior to play. The HAGA dress code is straight forward; no cut off shorts, no sleeveless tee shirts and no tank tops. It is the responsibility of each player to present themselves in accordance with golf course policy. Remember that we are guests at ALL courses!


10.)  The HAGA has adopted the local rule that Through the green, a ball that is 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.

EACH MEMBER RECEIVES AN USGA RULE BOOK FROM THE HAGA. ALL TOURNAMENTS ARE PLAYED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CURRENT USGA, HAGA LOCAL RULES FOR ALL TOURNAMENTS, AND ANY ADDITIONAL RULES FOR EACH TOURNAMENT AS POSTED. IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF EACH PLAYER TO OBTAIN THE TOURNAMENT CONDITIONS AND RULES FOR EACH EVENT. DW 2/04

Haga Local Rules.Doc