Foon Hay Seniors Golf Club

 

Tournament Rules

The rules below are in effect for all club tournaments except when noted by the Tournament Chairman. The purpose of these rules is to speed up play and to make the day on the links more enjoyable for the club members. The effect on one's true handicap is negligible in the overall picture.

1. Lost Ball Situation / Out of Bounds (follow USGA Rules 27-1 & 27-2)

• Out of Bounds -- Replay from the original spot, count both strokes and add a penalty stroke - USGA rule 27-1. (e.g., Tee shot went out of bounds, re-tee shooting 3)
• If a provisional ball has not been played -- drop a ball in the general area where you went out of bounds, count both strokes and take a two-stroke penalty - (e.g., Tee shot went out of bounds, you did not re-tee, drop ball in the general area where you went out of bounds, shooting 4 from drop area) - Foon Hay rule (to speed up play)
• Lost Ball -- Play same as Out of Bounds -- Note you have option if you think your ball is lost to hit a provisional before moving forward to where ball was last seen.
• Limit search for a lost ball to 5 minutes.

2. Bumping the Ball

• Foon Hay rules allow a player to bump the ball a maximum of 6 inches, no closer to the hole, to improve the lie. Balls that are touching or in any hazard (sand traps included) are to be played as they lie. In bumping your ball to better the lie, you cannot move your ball from the rough cut to the fairway cut.

3. Extremely "bad" hole (Mercy Rule)

• If a player has not holed out within a number of strokes equal to double-par (2 x par), he/she must pick up and take a score equal to two times par plus one (score = 2 x par + 1).
• If you wish to pick up, rather than suffering through the final stroke, take the double par plus one instead of an "X".
• The Mercy Rule will:
  • Speed up play immensely
  • Relieve the excruciating pains being felt by this player
  • Relieve the sympathetic pains being felt by fellow players

4. Putting Green

• Prepare and line up your putt while other players are preparing for their putts. Of course, please do not disturb the player once he/she is about to putt.
• When it is your turn to putt, please continue putting until the ball is holed unless:
  • You will have to step in another player's line of putt.
  • Made such a poor putt that mentally you are not able to continue (unless you are still "away".)
  • Once the last player has holed out, all players should quickly move to the next tee. This is also safer, since the following foursome will usually be hitting up.

5. Teeing Area

• Be prepared to tee off when it is safe to do so. The "honors" courtesy need not be observed if:
  • Honoree is not ready
  • Short hitters could safely hit, but not long hitters
  • Of course the "honors" order of hitting can always be insisted upon for strategic reasons by any player.

6. General tips for speeding up play

• Take only one or two practice strokes before hitting.
• Help spot balls of other players if they seem to consistently lose sight of their shots

 

Updated 10/01/04