HPMC LOCAL RULES and RULES OF EMPHASIS 2024

All Harbour Pointe Men’s Club tournaments shall be governed by USGA Rules and the Local Course Rules. The Local Rules have been revised for 2024. Included with these Local Rules are a few regular rules relevant to pace of play.
IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF EVERY GOLFER TO BE FAMILIAR WITH THE RULES OF GOLF. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT EVERY GOLFER DOWNLOAD TO THEIR SMARTPHONE THE USGA RULES OF GOLF APP
1. Out of Bounds
In absence of stakes or lines, OB is defined by the inside edge of sidewalks on holes 3, 10, 13, 14, 15, 17, and 18.
2. Long Grass and Wooded Areas
Long grass and wooded areas may be played as lateral penalty areas if not marked by white stakes or lines. The entirety of the long grass and wooded area behind the  11^th green from the out of bounds stake west of the bridge to the wooded area  right of the green is now a lateral penalty area and the drop options for red penalty  areas now apply.
3. Protection of Young Trees
A player must take swing and stance relief (full relief) from all newly planted trees on the golf course. These trees are so indicated with either stakes and wires or a tag in the tree. NO PENALTY.
4. Slow Play
The punch clock will be in effect for all weekend tournaments using tee times. When the punch clock is in effect, a member of the group shall inform the golf shop they have completed their round immediately upon completing the round (before verifying scores or putting equipment away). The golf shop will note the time.
A 2 stroke penalty will be assessed to all members of a group finishing more than 15 minutes behind the prior group and taking more than 4 hours 30 minutes to complete 18 holes. If during a round a group is a hole or more behind the group in front and is on a pace that is greater than 4 hours 30 minutes to complete 18 holes, if the group does not regain position after being warned, the Rules Committee may in its discretion apply a 1 stroke penalty to all members of the group. This penalty will be in addition to any penalty for failing to finish a round in 4 hours 30 minutes, or within 15 minutes of the prior group.
For Shotgun Start events in 2024, the following shall apply during the round: a 2 stroke penalty will be assessed to all members of a group if the group is a hole or more behind the group in front and does not regain position after being warned.
5. Golf Genius
HPMC will continue to use Golf Genius to keep score in 2024. When keeping score using Golf Genius the following rules apply:
● All scores must be entered after each hole. This helps the pro shop monitor pace of play through Golf Genius, and there are golfers who enjoy watching the
leader board. Waiting to enter all scores at the end of the round, or purposely entering incorrect scores during the round, is prohibited.
● All scores must be entered within 15 minutes of completing the round and are final.
● The group shall keep a hard card (paper card) to verify scores at the end of the round. Alternatively, two players in a group may independently post the scores. Any discrepancies between the two posts for a particular hole will appear highlighted in “Scorecard View”.
● It is up to the group to verify all scores.
6. Inaccurate Score
After scores are final, scoring errors will be handled as follows: if a posted score for a hole is higher than what the player actually scored, the higher score stands. If a posted score for a hole is lower than what the player actually scored, the player is disqualified.
7. Embedded Ball
Free relief shall be granted from an embedded ball in the general area. If a player’s ball is not found but it is known or virtually certain that the ball came to rest in or on an abnormal course condition, the player may take free relief using the estimated point where the ball last crossed the edge of the abnormal course condition as the spot of the ball for purposes of finding the nearest point of complete relief.
8. Music Devices
Music devices are allowed in accordance with Rule 4.3(4). In so doing, consideration should be shown to others in accordance with Rule 1.2(a).
9. Flower Beds
Free Relief (stance and swing) will be given for balls coming to rest inside the following maintained flower beds:
● #1 Left of White Tee & approximately 50 yards in front and left of Red Tee
● #2 Left of Green
● #3 Right of Blue Tee
● #3 Gravel Path to #4 Tee and Rocks defining path
● #4 Left of Green
● #5 Right of Men’s tees
● #13 Around White Tee box
10. Drop Areas
Holes with designated drop areas are options available to the player on the following holes:
● #3 The drop area is the area on or adjacent to the mat on the Tee side of the cart path. Balls landing in the water penalty area in front of the green may use this area as an option. The Red Tee box may also be used as a drop area.
● #4 The left side of the fairway until the water penalty area becomes out of bounds will be played as a lateral penalty area.
● #7 The drop area is the Red Tee box. Balls landing in the water penalty area short and right of the green may use this drop area as an option.
● #8 The drop area is the Red Tee box. Balls landing in any part of the penalty area short of the fairway may use this drop area as an option.
11. Winter Rules (Preferred Lies)
Harbour Pointe Golf Club Winter Rules policies will be as follows and will be in effect in all competitions where Preferred Lies a/k/a “Winter Rules” are played.
● In closely mown areas in the general area of the golf course and the green, players may lift, clean, and place their ball within 36 inches of the original lie. In non-closely mown areas in the general area, players may lift, clean, and place their ball within 6 inches of original lie. In placing the ball, the integrity of the lie must be maintained (cannot go from rough to fairway or fringe to green).
● As long as you can make contact with the ball you are allowed 6 inches even if the ball lies within 6 inches of a tree, stump, brush, or anything fixed and growing.
● Winter Season Sand Bunker Rule. During winter tournament events (November to March) this rule shall be in effect: A player may lift, clean, rake, and place the ball as close as possible to its original position without penalty. This rule may be deemed necessary outside the “Winter Season” by the course management depending on the conditions of the course at the time of the Men’s Club event. During Covid-19, a player may elect not to use a rake and use their foot to “rake” an area.
12. Rules Committee
The HPMC Rules Committee consists of the Head Golf Professional, Assistant Golf Professeional, Tournament Chair and Handicap Chair. If a group cannot resolve a rules situation, the group should contact the golf shop and ask for a ruling from a member of the Rules Committee. A ruling by a member of the Rules Committee is final. Rule 20.2(b). If a member of the Rules Committee cannot be reached, the player should proceed under Rule 20.1 (look it up using the new USGA Rules App you just downloaded).
Rev. Date: July 9, 2024