Competition Rules

GENERAL

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A copy of the Rules of Golf and Local Rules can be found on the website:

General Rules: http://www.heydongrange.org.uk/r-a-rules-of-golf

Local & Winter Rules: https://www.heydongrange.org.uk/local-rules

R&A Rules of Golf: https://www.randa.org/rog/the-rules-of-golf   

 

1. No team matches other than those in the Fixture List may be played on either of the courses without the previous permission of the Management.

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2. All members shall comply with the dress code as defined by the Management.Male members may wear shorts of a type approved by the Secretary. As a guide, golf or similar tailored shorts will be required with golf socks. Jeans must NOT be worn either on the course or in the Clubhouse at any time. Golf or sports shoes must not be worn in the Clubhouse.

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3. Members who reserve starting times are expected to play at those times. Members who subsequently find they are unable to do so are to immediately notify the Management to enable others to reserve those times instead.

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4. A Member may not enter any Club competition, other than a competition for Juniors, unless they hold a current World Handicap System (WHS) Handicap.

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5. Unless specified otherwise, all board competitions have a maximum WHS Course Handicap of 28.0 for men and 36.0 for ladies. (Venerables competitions excluded)

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6. The Men’s section, for Medals (Min 8 players each division) and certain competitions, has 2 divisions. Division 1 is for members with a WHS Handicap Index of 18.0 or lower and Division 2 is for players with a WHS Handicap Index of 18.1 and above.

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7. Junior members may play in Club Trophy Competitions (other than those held exclusively for Juniors) with a maximum WHS Course Handicap of 28.0 for boys and 36.0 for girls.

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8. Please note that all members should maintain a valid WHS Handicap Index by submitting a minimum of six qualifying cards per year. If you do not submit six cards during the calendar year, you will become ineligible for certain Heydon Grange, County and other events. If in doubt, consult the handicap secretaries.

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9. For your handicap to be a fair reflection of your playing ability you should return as many qualifying competition scores as possible. It is not always easy to play in as many competitions as you may like and so you are able to submit General Play scores.You can do this over 9 or 18 holes and must be medal play. You must ‘sign in’ before you play, to indicate your intention to play for a General Play score. A member (not an immediate family member or partner) must mark and sign your card. When playing just 9 holes, either course may be used. Handicaps will be based on the WHS and be assessed on your best 8 scores of the last 20 recorded rounds.

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10. Men’s and Mixed Competition entry: Other than medals, you must enter before the deadline by completing your entry on ClubV1 (or other method determined by the Committee) and submitting your entry fee in the competitions box.  The deadline for entry is before the draw, which is normally 2 days before the event.

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11. Men’s and Mixed Competition Card Submission: Following a medal or a competition, a card is deemed as returned to the Committee once it is entered into the Competitions Box.After which, no alterations may be made without the approval of the Competitions Secretary.

 

(Ladies and Venerables’ requirements my differ, so check with section before play).

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12. Medals: To enter Medals and Mid-week Medals, you must enter and sign in using ClubV1 and submit your entry fee before you tee off. There are no exceptions. Unless agreed with the Competitions’ Secretary in advance, a player’s card must only be marked by a fellow competitor who is not an immediate family member or partner.

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13. A player’s failure to make their competition payment before they begin their round or first round of a knockout will result in disqualification. Ladies may make a lump sum pre-payment for all Ladies competitions during the year.

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14. Any disputes should, in the first instance, be referred to the Competition Secretary. Any appeal of the decision should be made through the Captain to the Committee, who’s decision shall be final.

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15. Reserve entry: After the deadline closes, reserve entries may be made either by ClubV1, with fees paid in advance, or on the day. Reserves may be allocated tee times at the end of the draw or will be allocated spare slots in the main draw if others have withdrawn. Reserve players must turn-up 15 minutes before the first tee-time to be entered into the competition.

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16. Players should ensure they are playing off their correct handicap.This can be obtained by logging in to the Club V1 screen or HowDidiDo on the day of the competition.The player’s “Course Handicap and Playing Handicap” must be written on their card and the card stableford points or net scores totalled.

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17. Medals: Between 8:15am and 9:30am, medal entrants should play in groups of three players only (irrespective of how many of the group are entered in the medal) or as determined by the draw; the exception being the last group to play in the session.

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18. Players in medals and board competitions must have committee approval before using a buggy. Buggies may only be shared by members who have committee approval.

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19. Match Play competitions: Matches shall be played over 18 holes and if at the end of 18 holes the match is all square it shall continue until a hole is won, handicap strokes being taken as over the first 18 holes. The top player in the draw is responsible for arranging the match at a mutually convenient time within a period allowed for the round. No exceptions to play outside the round period are allowed without the prior permission of the Competitions Secretary.Winners must ensure their names are recorded on the Draw Sheet and notified to the Webmaster before the closing date for each round. In the event that the match is not decided by the due date, the Competition Secretary shall determine the circumstances and have sole discretion as to the result which may include but not be limited to: (i) awarding the match to one party, (ii) deciding by the toss of a coin.

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20. Mixing match play and stroke-play: Players in official Club competitions cannot combined match play events with any stroke play events.In such cases, the player or players would be disqualified from the official competition event.If both events are official competitions, the disqualification would extend to both competitions.

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21. Completion of cards: As part of a valid round, the player is responsible for correctly completing and submitting their card; signed by the player and their marker and including their gross score, including penalties, on each hole. In addition, the player should include their Course Handicap and calculate the total strokes taken or points received.

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22. Failing to turn up: Anyone who fails to turn up for their tee time or arrives after the next group’s tee-time, will be disqualified from the event and may receive a 2-competition ban.

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23. Walking off the course: There are only four instances where it is acceptable to walk off the course during a competition round: 1) physical injury or medical condition, 2) unforeseen personal emergency, 3) extreme weather where the entire group agrees to walk in or the course is closed or 4) lightning or the threat of it.Penalty for breach of this rule will result in a two-competition ban.

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24. Withdrawing: If you need to withdraw from a drawn competition, you must do so by phoning the Competitions Secretary at least one hour before the first tee time or talking directly with the Competition’s Secretary (not by leaving messages, emails etc). If the competitions Secretary is not available, then contact a committee member at the Club.

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25. Submission of cards: The player is responsible for submitting their own card. No changes are to be made to the scorecard without agreement of the marker. Men’s completed cards must be placed in the Competitions Box (NOT the smaller ‘general play’ box) to be considered submitted; after which, no changes may be made to the card.

Ladies and Venerables should refer to the Rules of their particular competition for card submission.

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26. Lateness on the tee: Anyone who, without reasons due to exceptional circumstances, is not ready to play at their allotted tee time will incur a two-shot penalty in a stroke play competition or loss of hole in a match play competition. Anyone who is more than 5 minutes late for a tee time, without reasons due to exceptional circumstances, will be disqualified from the competition.

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27. Mobile phones are not allowed to be used on the course or in the clubhouse except in emergency, as a distance measuring device or to record scores. All other apps must be closed and phone on silent.

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28. Dogs, other than trained guide/assistance dogs, shall not be allowed in the Clubhouse or on the Course.