The following club rules were adopted by the Rules Committee and shall remain effective until amendments are deemed necessary. Please read this document carefully. It will help you understand most of the problems and/or questions that you will encounter during play in our golf league. More importantly, it will explain the local rules that are intended to benefit the league members.

The Spirit of the Game

The main purpose of the Holmdel Golf Club is to provide the vehicle by which all our members can enjoy a round of golf with many new friends. At the same time, and as a secondary endeavor, we coordinate the effort that allows the membership to compete for some minor prizes. If you view our competition with these priorities in mind you will inevitably make league play more enjoyable for all participants. So play well and have fun.

• GENERAL RULES
• FLIGHT RULES
  • Flight Selection
  • Prize Fees
  • Match Schedule
  • Team Play
  • Team Scoring
    • Individual Match Play Points
    • Individual Stroke Play Points
    • Team Stroke Play Points
    • Handicap Strokes allocation
    • Point Distribution
  • Substitution
  • Partial Round
  • Rescheduled Match
  • Forfeits
  • Handicaps
    • Equitable Stroke Control
  • Awards
    • Half-Season Prizes
    • End-of-Season Prizes
    • Resolving Ties in the Standings
    • Determining the Most Improved Award
    • Determining the Most Points Award
  • Attendance
  • Match Results
• TOURNAMENT PLAY
• LOCAL RULES GOVERNING PLAY
  • Preferred Lies
  • Ball Substitution
  • Ball In Sand
  • Unintentional Hazards
  • Man Made Hazards or Obstructions
  • Temporary or Flooded Greens
  • Unplayable Lie
  • Ball In Water Hazard
  • Ball In Wooded Area
  • Out of Bounds
  • Lost Ball
  • Wrong Ball
  • Strokes
  • Interpretation of Rules
  • Mistakes
• Amendments since last publication
• OPERATING RULES OF THE CLUB

GENERAL RULES

Anyone may join the club, regardless of their employer. The number of playing members may, however, be restricted due to the limited playing facilities available. When events or flights are over subscribed, preference will be given to employees and retirees of Monmouth County locations.

The club will play its matches at prescribed local courses. Play will commence the first week that daylight savings time is in effect, if possible, and continues through the season in accordance with the playing schedule. A schedule shall be sent to each playing member.

FLIGHT RULES

Flight Selection

The main objective of the golf club is to give all interested golfers the opportunity to play. The total number of playing club members will be divided into independent flights, each with 16 members. Flight assignment will be under the direction of the Golf Club President. Preference shall not be shown to any teams wishing to be assigned as a group to the same flight. However, priorities are used to determine course and flight assignment for each two person team. The priorities are listed below in order of highest priority to lowest. The priority level of a team is determined by combining the priority level of both partners. Players which have failed to play in 50% of their scheduled matches from the previous year will be given the lowest priority during the flight selection process.

1. Returning Flight member (ie, you sign up for same flight as last year)
2. Returning Club officer
3. Returning Club member (ie, you sign up for a different flight than last year)
4. Date application is received (early bird...)
5. Random assignment (when all else fails...)

An entry form that contains only one name will be assigned a partner if possible.

Prize Fees

Some flights play for prizes, some don't. In the event that a flight plays for prizes, a non-refundable prize fee, the amount to be set by the flight secretary prior to the playing season, is required of all regular playing members. There are presently no fees required for substitutes.

Whether or not a flight plays for prizes or not, each flight is assessed fees, set by the club treasurer, to defray the cost of web hosting and domain registration. These are in addition to the prize fees.

All fees are due prior to the day of the first scheduled match. A player is not eligible for prizes until the appropriate fees are paid. In addition, a handicap penalty of one stroke will be assessed for the first match, and one additional stroke for each additional week the fee is overdue.

Match Schedule

A 16 week match schedule will be used by all flights. The 8th and 16th matches will be "bumper" rounds in which the first ranked team plays the second, three plays four, etc. In addition, the winners of each half season will play a 17th match to determine the flight champion. The schedule will be adhered to, and no postponements are allowed except as sanctioned by the Flight Secretary.

Team Play

Each team shall play every other team in its flight at least twice during the season, at least once in each half. Opponents with the lower handicap are to play each other; subs shall use their own handicaps to determine the opponent. In case of doubt concerning handicaps, opponents decided upon before the match shall be final. If two members of the same team have the same handicap, they shall decide before the match who is the A player and who is the B player.

Team Scoring

Matches are played using full handicap adjustment and each match is worth ten points. Each member of a team will play an individual match for four points, two points for match play and two points for stroke play. In addition, two points are awarded for lower net team score. All matches are subject to USGA and Club Rules.

Individual Match Play Points

Two points in each individual match go to the player who wins the most holes. If the number of holes won is tied, each player receives one point. During match play the winner of a hole will be determined by comparing net scores for that hole.

Individual Stroke Play Points

Two points in each individual match go to the player who has the lower score after using the full handicap adjustment. If the net scores are tied, each player receives one point.

Team Stroke Play Points

Two points go to the team that has the lower total net score. In the event of a tie, each team shall receive one point.

Handicap Strokes allocation

Handicap strokes are allotted as follows:

1. Calculate the difference in handicaps for the two opponents.
2. The player with the higher handicap will assign the allotted handicap strokes (i.e., the difference in handicaps) one at a time, starting with the # 1 rated hole and continuing until all strokes are assigned. If a player receives more than nine strokes, the process returns to the # 1 rated hole for the 10th handicap stroke.

The following example illustrates how to allocate handicap strokes.

Player A has a 4 handicap. Player B has a 10 handicap. Player B gets 6 strokes to be assigned to holes: 8,4,6,9,2 and 1.

When opponents are playing from different tees, the person playing from the tees with the higher course rating will adjust their handicap to reflect the difference in the ratings.

For example, if someone playing from the red tees (rated at 73.5) competes against someone playing from the white tees (rated at 70.9), the person playing from the red tees shall receive 3 additional handicap strokes (i.e. 73.5 - 70.9 = 2.6 which gets rounded off to 3 strokes).

Point Distribution

Points may be earned in only one of the following ways:

1. A match is played by the normal team member(s) or by subs for one or both members of each team.
2. A match is played in advance (not more than 6 days) or rescheduled within the allowed time frame (see Rescheduled Match).
3. The match is decided by comparing scorecards from the following week (see Rescheduled Match).
4. The match is subject to the rules of forfeit (see Forfeits).

Substitution

A substitutes list will be maintained by the Substitute Chairperson. Only listed substitutes and regular flight golfers may be employed as substitutes, except with the Substitute Chairperson's or Flight Secretary's approval. Exceptions must be approved before the match is played. Any points won by an unapproved substitute including team stroke play points are forfeited to the opposing player(s) and team.

The use of substitutes for one or both members of a team is permitted, however, a regular flight member cannot substitute in another match in their assigned flight.

Partial Round

If a match in progress is abandoned because of darkness or foul weather, it shall be considered official if five or more holes have been completed by all members of the foursome. This requires agreement between 1 member from each team.

However, a match in progress may be abandoned because of lightning by any member of the match. No player should feel obligated to finish a match if they believe they are risking personal injury.

Rescheduled Match

With the mutual consent of all concerned, a match may be played in advance, up to six days, or postponed and played within 13 days of the original date. However, matches 7 and 15 must be played within six calendar days of the original date. In order to qualify for nightly prizes, the match must be played within six calendar days before or after the original match date, and it must be played at the flight's home course. If nightly prizes are forfeited, the advanced or postponed match may be played at any course that is mutually agreeable. Scorecards must be turned in the day after a match is completed. The flight secretary must be notified of postponements no later than the next working day.

If a match cannot be rescheduled, it is permissible to match scorecards on the next regularly scheduled match provided the agreement is made and the flight secretary is notified prior to the match. You can make up only 1 match at a time.

Forfeits

The intent of the following rules is to provide a penalty for regular members who fail to appear, while not penalizing a team for a sub who does not appear. A sub, however, who does not appear is not eligible for nightly prizes in his/her next match.

Failure to appear at the tee, ready to play, 10 minutes prior to your scheduled tee time.

1. If only one member of a foursome appears, his/her team shall receive ten points and the opponents zero points.
2. If a match is postponed from the original date due to lightning or foul weather (this requires agreement between 1 member of each team) and if opposing teams fail to play their match or match score cards within the allotted time period, this shall be viewed as a mutual forfeit, and zero points will be awarded to both teams.
3. If a match is rescheduled from the original date at the request of one team (for reasons other than weather) and if opposing teams fail to play their match within the allotted time period, the team that requested the match to be rescheduled shall forfeit ten points to the opposing team.
4. If one member of each team fails to appear, the two players present shall play a match for eight individual points and two team points.
5. If one member of a foursome fails to appear whether the player tried to obtain a sub or not, and other provisions under Rescheduled Match were not made, the remaining player will play both opponents. The player's scheduled match, as identified by the flight secretary in the weekly results, is unaffected, but in the doubled match (and consequently the team match) a two stroke handicap penalty will be assessed. For example: a player with a 9 handicap will play the scheduled match using a 9 handicap, but in the doubled match will use a 7 handicap; in the team match the penalized player will use both the 9 and 7 handicap.
6. If a sub fails to appear the member of the team that is present shall represent the team by playing a doubled match without penalty.
7. If a sub from each team fails to appear, a doubled match without penalty shall be played.
8. If a player fails to complete a match, except as per Partial Round, the player shall forfeit four individual match points to the opposing team for each match the player is playing and two team points.

If the team members present do not wish to claim a forfeit, they may reschedule the match, to a date of their choice, consistent with Rescheduled Match.

Handicaps

For those players with two or more rounds recorded in the Club's records, handicaps will be calculated using rules of the USGA for nine hole handicaps, with some modifications. The list below contains the number of differentials that will be used to compute a player's handicap.

The handicap adjustment is new for 2020, allowing the USGA and R&A to issue handicaps with only a handful of recorded scores (six or less).

All available differentials are used when computing a handicap (i.e., differentials do not age).

The following procedure is to be used in determining handicaps for the first two rounds played in the League. In estimating a handicap, information such as scores in tournaments, USGA handicaps, or handicaps from other clubs may be used at the discretion of the flight secretary or sub chairperson involved.

Members or subs with estimated handicaps will not be eligible for nightly prizes on their first round. Their first round score will be combined with their estimated handicap to create the handicap used for the first two matches. An example for computing a new player's handicap is illustrated below. For this example, the new player estimated his/her handicap to be 15, the course rating 35.4, and the new player's first round score was 55.

Estimated average differential               15 = 15.0
First round differential              55 - 35.4 = 19.6
Average differential          (15.0 + 19.6) / 2 = 17.3
Average round handicap                     17.3 = 17 (rounded)

The individual and team points for the new member's first and second matches will be calculated using the first round handicap, 17 in the example. The third and subsequent matches will be calculated using the rules described earlier. Calculations of scores involving a first time player should be left to the Flight Secretary.

The maximum handicap for 9 holes is 27 (half of the USGA's and R&A's 18-hole limit of 54).

Course Rating

The course ratings for the courses that we play at are determined by the courses themselves.  See each course for its current course rating.

For courses where ratings are not available, the rating for nine holes can be calculated as follows:

     Course Rating  =  18.0 + (Course yardage + 225) / 200

A player has the option of playing from any tee, but must designate the choice before the first match of the year and then play from that tee in every match during the season. We encourage all players, men or women, young and old, to play from the tees that will provide an enjoyable golf experience.

Equitable Stroke Control

Stroke control is used to keep handicaps representative of the player's normal skill. It is used to keep one or two unusually bad holes from artifically increasing a player's handicap. For example, a player might shoot 8 straight pars and then shoot a quadruple bogey on the 9th hole. The player is probably a scratch player so you don't want to give them 4 handicap strokes. Of course the player's score with regards to prizes is still 4 over par, but their score used in calculating their handicap is adjusted downward.

Awards

An individual is not eligible for awards until all required fees have been paid.

Nightly awards will consist of two balls for low net, and one ball for second low net. In case of ties, the lower gross score shall be awarded the prize. Duplicate prizes shall be awarded in the case of ties in both net and gross scores. If a player wins by forfeit, he/she may elect to play in order to qualify for nightly prizes. Unless the entire flight plays abbreviated matches, abbreviated matches do not qualify for nightly prizes. Only scores recorded during team matches, on the flight's home course will be used in determining winners. To be eligible for half-season prizes, a member must play at least four matches in each half and a team (or subs for the team) must play at least six matches in that half on their assigned night.

Subs are eligible for nightly prizes subject to the Rules.

Ties for half-season and end-of-season prizes will result in duplicate prizes being awarded, with the exception of 1st place team prizes.

Half-Season Prizes

End-of-Season Prizes

Resolving Ties in the Standings

If teams have identical point totals at any point during the season (including the bumper rounds), the following tie breakers will be used to determine the higher ranking team:

1. If only two teams are tied, the winner of the most recent head-to-head match
2. The team with the lower total handicap
3. A toss of a coin by the flight secretary

If the playoff for the flight championship results in a tie, the winner shall be determined by a sudden death playoff. The format for the sudden death will be match play with handicap strokes allotted where they would normally fall. The first team to gain a positive hole count is the winner. The hole count would be determined after all players have completed the hole. For example, if player 1A lost a hole to player 2A and player 2B lost a hole to player 1B, the hole count is zero and the playoff continues. If player 1A wins the next hole and player 1B ties his/her opponent, team 1 would have a +1 hole count and win the playoff.

Determining the Most Improved Award

To be eligible for the most improved award a player must:

1. have a reduction in handicap
2. play 4 rounds in each half season
3. have an established handicap at the beginning of the season

The calculations for the most improved award are determined by this formula:

newimpv = (old_handicap+6) / (new_handicap+6)

Note that unrounded handicap values are used in the formula (because someone who improved from 3.51 to 3.49 did not really improve by a whole stroke).

Determining the Most Points Award

The points accumulated toward the most Points award are those earned in a player's scheduled match. Obviously points earned on your partner's behalf (i.e., you double for your partner) can not be counted.

Attendance

Any regular player missing two scheduled matches in a row will be consulted by the flight secretary and replaced if it appears that there is reasonable doubt of future availability.

Match Results

Scorecards and properly completed score sheets shall be submitted to your flight secretary the next working day following a match. If more than three working days elapse, before the receipt of the score sheet, nightly prizes will be forfeited. At the flight secretary's discretion, the scorecard from the match may be sufficient. Otherwise, the information required on the score sheet is:

1. Individual gross, stroke controlled gross, and net scores
2. Team net scores
3. Points earned by individuals and teams
4. Team member's names, handicaps, and team identification
5. Course name, nine played, and date

Incomplete score sheets shall be returned for completion and will be subject to the three day rule above; measured from the original date.

TOURNAMENT PLAY

Tournament play will be under the direction of the Tournament Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson. The tournaments shall be open to any Club member. Members may bring quests, provided the member plays in the same foursome as the guest.

Entry fees may be charged to cover the cost of prizes. Direct expenses, such as green's fees and luncheon fees, may be collected in advance if deemed necessary.

LOCAL RULES GOVERNING PLAY

USGA rules shall govern play except as noted below and in instances where they are in conflict with local course rules. Where a difference in the rules exists between match play and stroke play, stroke play rules are used.

Maximum Score

With the major rules change in 2019, the USGA and the R&A included an option for a "Maximum Score" form of play. The Holmdel Golf League endorses this option, for the reasons listed in the change - the need to hole out on every hole can have at least two downsides:

• it often leads to a slow pace of play.
• it may discourage golfers who feel they no longer have a realistic chance to compete.

While all flights are expected to adopt the "Maximum Score" form of play, individual flights are allowed to opt out. There will be no software change to enforce the limit.

Preferred Lies

Preferred lies shall apply in your own fairway. It does not apply in the rough or another fairway. The ball may be placed by hand, or moved with the club head, but not closer to the hole. Move the ball within 6 inches of the original lie or the boundary of the area unsuitable for play. Grass around the green is considered rough, if it is taller than the fairway height. The fringe of the green is considered fairway.

Ball Substitution

A ball may be substituted for another at any time in the fairway or on the green.

Ball In Sand

A ball resting in a footprint or gully from careless raking may be lifted, the area smoothed and the ball placed. Agreement must be obtained from either your opponent or his/her partner before you move the ball. Exception: a ball lying in its own depression (fried egg) may NOT be moved!

Unintentional Hazards

A ball lying in casual water, ground under repair, animal holes, or embedded in its own depression (except in a hazard), may be lifted without penalty and dropped outside of but as near as possible to the boundary of the unintentional hazard, but no nearer the hole. However, if an unintentional hazard lies within the confines of a real hazard, (e.g., casual water in a bunker) you may not drop outside the confines of a real hazard without incurring a penalty.

Man Made Hazards or Obstructions

Bridges, railings, roads, walkways, fences, bulkheads, sprinkler heads, pipes and other structures not part of the playing grounds are considered man made hazards. A ball may be moved without penalty, one club length away, but not nearer the hole, from any such objects if your swing or stance is impeded. You are not allowed line of flight relief. Fences used to define out-of-bounds are not considered man made obstructions and taking relief would incur a penalty, as applicable.

Temporary or Flooded Greens

When a temporary green is in use or a green is flooded, the players shall play until their ball is within 30 feet of the hole. Players may hole out or pick up their ball and add 2 strokes to their current score for that hole.

Unplayable Lie

A ball may be declared unplayable anywhere on a course, except in a water hazard. An unplayable ball may be moved two club lengths away, but not closer to the hole, or moved straight back in a line directly away from the hole as far as a player desires. If a ball is declared unplayable in a sand trap, the player shall be allowed to place the ball, but must remain within the confines of the sand trap.

Penalty - one stroke

Ball In Water Hazard

When a ball lies within the confines of an intentional water hazard, the player must determine the point where the ball last crossed the boundary of the hazard. The player then drops a ball within two club lengths of that point, but not closer to the hole, or moves straight back in line with that point and the hole as far as desired.

Penalty - one stroke

Ball In Wooded Area

If a ball strays into a wooded area, the player may:

• play the ball, if found, as it lies.
• play a provisional ball from the original position or the tee.
• drop as close as possible to where the ball last crossed the boundary of the wooded area.

Wooded areas are defined as the unmowed, forest areas bordering fairways. We are, in essence, defining these areas to be equivalent to lateral hazards. Many of these areas would be lateral hazards if the courses bothered to stake them.

At Howell, this includes the right side of holes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, and 17, and the left side of holes 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18.

At Shark River, this includes the left side of holes 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 10, 16 and 18, and the right side of holes 6, 7, 8, 10, 12, 16 and 18.

Penalty - one stroke

Out of Bounds

If a ball strays out of bounds, the player may:

• play a provisional ball from the original position or the tee
• drop a ball within two club lengths of where the original ball crossed the fence or boundary

Note: The penalty for out-of-bounds remains more lenient than the suggested "local" rule put in place by the USGA for 2019.

Penalty - one stroke

Lost Ball

If a ball is lost and not found within 3 minutes, the player may:

• play a provisional ball from the original position or the tee
• drop as close as possible to where the ball is presumed to be lost

Note: The penalty for lost ball remains more lenient than the suggested "local" rule put in place by the USGA for 2019.

Penalty - one stroke

Wrong Ball

If a player plays the wrong ball, except from a hazard, the ball shall be replaced and the player shall then play his/her ball. If a player plays the wrong ball from a hazard, the ball shall be replaced without penalty.

Penalty - one stroke

Strokes

Questions concerning the number of strokes that a player has taken should be resolved before the next hole is begun.

Interpretation of Rules

Rules disputes must be declared before any member of a match tees off on the next hole. Rules disputes should be turned over to the flight secretary, who will resolve it, if possible. If the flight secretary can not resolve the dispute, the rules secretary will resolve it in accordance with the rules of this League and the USGA. Their decision will be final.

Mistakes

Some times (but not very often) flight secretaries and/or the software used to tabulate results make a mistake. Any mistake identified prior to the completion of a half season will be corrected and changes in point distributions corrected if applicable. However, once a half-season is completed, all point distributions stand. Changes may carry over to the second half-season (e.g., a change in handicap), but that will not affect the first half results.

Amendments since last publication

Handicaps: Use of scores from current and immediately preceeding season for handicap purposes changed to include scores from the current and three previous seasons. While in conflict with USGA procedures, this change reduces any handicap hardship for those members who infrequently play.

Equitable Stroke Control: Modified by the USGA, and the league rules now reflect that change.

Ball In Wooded Area: Local rule adopted, treating wooded areas essentially as lateral water hazards, and aligning the penalty to our Out of Bounds and Lost Ball local rules.

Out of Bounds: Club Local rule on how to proceed is reaffirmed. USGA proposed local rule not adopted.

Lost Ball: Time to locate a lost ball changed from 2 minutes to 3 minutes to match USGA rule change. Club Local rule on how to proceed is reaffirmed. USGA proposed local rule not adopted.

Maximum Score: Endorsed by the club for 2019, allowing for a maximum score on any hole to be capped at quadruple bogey.

Resolving Ties in the Standings: Rule changed to always use the most recent head-to-head match between two tied teams as the first tiebreaker.

OPERATING RULES OF THE CLUB

The Club shall abide by the rules set forth under the By-Laws and constitution of the Bell Labs Club. The following offices are deemed necessary:

Officer Responsibilities

President

assign applicants to flights, collect year end results and handicaps, distribute beginning of the year packets to flight secretaries

Treasurer

keep the books, buy balls & trophies

General Secretary

assist chairperson

Substitute Secretary

maintain list of eligible substitutes & mail updated lists to flight secretaries periodically

Tournament Chairpersons

coordinate spring and fall tournaments

Flight Secretaries

collect match results, tabulate flight results, and distribute standings sheet weekly

Match Play Tournament Chairperson

coordinate the fall scratch tournament

Rules Secretary

maintain league rules, settle rules disputes, and order rules books for all league members