2025 HLGL GENERAL PROCEDURES
Season Tee Times:
8:30 April and May
7:30 June, July, and August
8:30 September and October
Tee times will be staggered and announced in advance.
Sign-up sheets for future play are posted online: https://sites.google.com/site/herndonladiesgolf/sign-ups/april-sign-up If you’re not sure if you can play, it’s better to sign up and then cancel. If you need to cancel, please text, e-mail or call our VP for Pairings, Allison Brodin, 703-489-8763. If you need to cancel on Wednesday morning, please call the Herndon Pro Shop at 703-471-5769.
The deadline for signups is 5 pm on SUNDAY. Players signing up after that may be worked into the pairings if a slot is available. For HLGL major tournaments, players signing up after the deadline will not be eligible to compete in the tournament but can play if a slot is available. If you are not sure if you’ve signed up, check with the Pairings VP. It is the player’s responsibility to follow the rules set forth by the VP of Pairings to sign up and/or cancel a golfing date.
Players should check in with the Starter 30 minutes prior to tee time; the Starter will stop accepting check-ins 15 minutes before the last tee time.
Schedule/Weekly Games ~ a schedule of weekly games and major tournaments is developed by the VP of Tournaments and reviewed by the Board. This schedule is posted on the HLGL website and on the bulletin board in the HLGL locker area. Winners are determined by the VP of Tournaments based on the game format for the week and results will be emailed to members providing winner’s names and prize amounts. Queen of the Links information is also provided.
OPTIONAL VOLUNTARY CONTESTS: OPEN TO 18 AND 9-HOLE DIVISION PLAYERS FOR THE AMOUNTS SPECIFIED
Closest to the Pin ~ $1.00 A par 3 hole will be selected, and the player hitting her ball onto the green from the tee and closest to the hole wins. The proceeds are divided between the winner and HLGL. Prize money should be claimed from the Starter the following week.
Chip-ins ~ $1.00 A chip-in occurs when the ball goes into a hole as the result of any stroke from the sand, rough, fairway or fringe. Proceeds are divided per chip-in among all winners. If there are no winners, half of the money will carry over to the following week, with the remainder going into the HLGL account. Prize money should be claimed from the Starter the following week.
Hole-in-One ~ Players can contribute $2.00 to a fund to be used for any player who makes a hole-in-one. Only those that have contributed are eligible to participate. The Treasurer keeps a list of who have contributed. When a player makes a hole-in-one, the funds are used to buy other players a drink. Once a hole-in-one is made, players again can contribute to the fund.
EMERGENCY PROCEDURE FOR BOARD MEMBERS:
The President may fill any board vacancies. If the vacancy is the President, the First Vice President/Tournaments will take on the responsibilities or may appoint a new President prior to the start of the golf season in April or have members vote if after April.
PACE OF PLAY:
A round of HLGL golf is expected to take no more than 4½ hours (about 15 minutes per hole). Groups must pace themselves accordingly. Every player influences the pace; one or two minutes per hole per group add up!
NOTE TO FIRST GROUP: Pay special attention to pace!
If you are a foursome and you fall behind (i.e., if the hole in front of you is open), you MUST break up even if only one player feels it is needed and play as two twosomes until you recover the lost ground. When you catch up with the group in front of you, resume play as a foursome.
Most important point ~ Stay right behind the group ahead of you!
Suggestions for maintaining the proper pace:
Play ready golf. If you reach your ball and are ready to hit while other members of your group are not yet prepared, then go ahead and hit regardless of who is “away”.
Select your club and plan your shot on your way to your ball.
Watch other shots so you can help other players find their balls.
On the fairway, park the cart between the balls and walk to them.
On ‘cart path only’ days, take clubs for several shots and walk to your next shot.
Help others move their carts, especially if one golfer is in a cart by herself.
Make no more than one practice swing.
Check the ball before you hit to make sure it’s yours. If you hit the wrong ball not only will you incur a 2 stroke penalty, you will still have to find and play your own ball.
Measure and plan your putt as soon as you get to the green; don’t wait until it’s your turn to putt.
The first person to putt out is responsible for returning the flag to the hole.
Record scores at the next tee box.
Non-scorers should exit the cart at the tee and hit their drives first (even as their cart partners are recording the previous hole’s scores).
Don’t let socializing and ‘chit chat’ on the tee (or elsewhere) delay play.
Limit your bathroom breaks and time in the clubhouse.
Please respect the course Marshals and follow their advice and direction.
Don’t agonize over rules issues. If there is a disagreement that can’t be settled quickly among the group, play a second ball, circle the score at issue and settle it afterward in the clubhouse, adjusting the score as needed.
SCORING:
Two players in each group must record each player’s score and putts for each hole, circling birdies, chip-ins and eagles when earned. One score card with two signatures must be placed in the scorecard box after each HLGL round.
Weekly Scoring Sheet: Scores and putts must also be recorded on the Weekly Scoring Sheet, with birdies, chip-ins and eagles circled.
Weekly Extras Sheet: Chip-ins and birdies must also be written on the Weekly Extras Sheet or they may not be recognized. Birdies will be acknowledged through the weekly results report.
It is each player’s sole responsibility to assure that her scores are recorded accurately.
Unfinished Holes ~ if you don’t finish a hole (e.g. pick-up or weather), enter an X on the score card. This process should also be applied to the Weekly Scoring Sheet. You remain eligible for the closest to the pin and chip in contests, BUT you are ineligible for the weekly game or major tournament.
HANDICAPS:
HLGL members must maintain a handicap to be eligible for prize money awards. Handicap service is available through the Herndon Centennial Pro Shop. All handicap information will be collected through your membership application form. The handicap index should be established as quickly as possible and the Handicap Chair notified as soon as an index is provided. A handicap index can be established by playing a minimum of 54 holes.
Except for 9-hole flight members, the maximum handicap used in HLGL weekly competitions and tournaments is 40. Scores can be posted at the Herndon Club House, on GHIN.com or via the USGA GHIN app. Scores must be posted hole-by-hole.
According to USGA regulations, the time frame for submitting a score is as soon as possible on the day of play, after completion of round, and before midnight (local time). Handicap indexes are updated the day after you post a score, therefore, it is imperative that players post their scores by midnight the day of play.
The HLGL has adopted the following rules with regard to the posting of scores. Players must post scores, HOLE BY HOLE, on the day the round is played. The Handicap Chairperson will monitor scoring to ensure proper and timely posting in GHIN. If a player has not posted their score on the day of play, the chairperson will reach out to the player(s) and request that their score be posted no later than the upcoming Sunday by 11:59pm.
If a player fails to post their score by Sunday 11:59pm, they will not be eligible to win flight awards for the upcoming and subsequent weeks' games or tournament play until the score is posted. If the Handicap Chairperson must reach out to a player three (3) times during the season, or if a player has gone three (3) weeks without posting a given week's score, their course handicap for game/tournament purposes will be set to zero (0) for the remainder of the season.
EXPECTED SCORE AND HOLES NOT PLAYED
(New 2024 World Handicap System Rules)
Beginning in 2024 due to new WHS scoring rules, the 9-hole division will be required to play and post all 9 holes instead of the previous minimum of 7 holes. The new scoring algorithm will be based on your current Handicap Index®, allowing the 9-hole round to be considered in the player’s Handicap Index calculation the next day. In other words, one 9-hole round does not need to wait for another 9-hole round to combine with it to recalculate your index.
For the 18-hole division, when a player plays 10-17 holes, a Score Differential™ will be created. It is based on the holes played, and the player’s expected Score Differential for the number of remaining holes NOT played. These will be added to produce an 18-hole Score Differential based on your Handicap Index®.
To facilitate this change, when a player plays between 10-17 holes (because they may have picked up because of darkness, weather, etc.), they will be required to post their scores hole-by-hole so the appropriate Score Differential can be calculated from the holes that were played to combine with the expected score for the holes not played. In other words, for the purposes of league play, if you play at least 10 holes and pick up, you will still be expected to post your round. Record scores of holes you played and leave the holes not played blank and hit POST.
For more information about the 2024 scoring changes please see: https://www.whs.com/videos/2024-Expected-score.html
WEEKLY GAMES AND MAJOR TOURNAMENTS:
Annual Schedule ~ During the month of October, the VP Tournaments (current as well as on the ballot for the next year) will present to the Board (current as well as on the ballot), the HLGL major tournaments and Ace of Ace Qualifier dates for the coming year. After the HLGL Board has voted and accepted the dates, they will then be presented to the current membership at the annual meeting in November.
All HLGL games will be flighted based on the number of players and their handicaps. A game is considered official if it starts with a minimum of 8 players (12 players for major tournaments) from the 18-hole division with current USGA/GHIN handicaps. Under USGA rules, at least 2 of the players must finish in order to witness and verify scores for an official round to be posted. Winners are awarded in each flight and for low putts (a member may win prize money in only one category). Prize money is awarded at the end of the year at the annual luncheon and board election.
Major tournaments ~ HLGL Memorial, Jack Walker Memorial, Grand Ace, and Club Championship. A player must have completed five 18-hole rounds with HLGL to qualify.
For weekly games and monthly Ace of Ace qualifiers, ties will be broken by a comparison of score cards based on the best score for the last nine holes. If the tying players have the same score for the last nine, we will determine the winner based on the last six holes, last three holes and finally the 18th hole.
The winner for major tournament ties will be determined by a sudden-death playoff immediately after the round, starting on Hole #1, and using handicaps for all tournaments except the Club Championship gross competition. Players who tie and leave before the playoff will forfeit.
Ties for flight winners in major tournaments will be broken by a comparison of score cards based on the best score for the last nine holes. If the tying players have the same score for the last nine, we will determine the winner based on the last six holes, last three holes and finally the 18th hole.
Matching scorecards tie breaker method:
Summarizing the non-playoff, "matching score cards" method...
Compare...
Gross score for last 9 holes minus one-half handicap; if still tied continue
Gross score for last 6 holes minus one-third handicap; if still tied continue
Gross score for last 3 holes minus one-sixth handicap; if still tied continue
Gross score for 18th hole minus one-eighteenth handicap
ACE OF ACES ~ The league is scheduled to have six (6) Ace off Ace Qualifier rounds during the HLGL season (weather permitting) yielding an expected field of 24 for the Grand Ace. Each qualifier round will have 1st and 2nd place Low Gross/Low Net winners. The winners qualify to compete in the Grand Ace major tournament (no substitutes allowed). If the scheduled qualifying round cannot be held on the specified date, then Board will reschedule the qualifier at another time ASAP during the season. If the qualifying round scheduled for September is not able to be played due to weather/course closure/conditions and is unable to be rescheduled prior to the Grand Ace of Aces tournament in October, then only those who qualified in the five (5) prior completed Ace of Ace qualifiers will play in the Grand Ace of Aces tournament. A player need only qualify once during the season. Those who have not qualified may play in the Grand Ace for low putts, chip-ins and CTTP.
QUEEN OF THE LINKS ~ A season-long contest recognizing participation AND performance. To be the "Queen of the Links" you must play often and play well! The Standings will be updated weekly.
BONUS POINTS will be awarded at least once a month and for ALL Majors:
All Monthly Ace of Aces Qualifiers will be worth 50% more
All Major Tournaments will be worth 100% more
Playing well when it counts most will be key to your success.
Points are awarded weekly based on each player's net score against the rest of the field AND the number of players.
Each week:
The Low Net Golfer wins MAX Points (100, 150 or 200) * (Counting ALL 18 holes no matter the weekly contest).
Other Players win points relative to their Field Rank and the total number of golfers. *
Each Player is awarded at least 20 points (including incomplete rounds).
(* Subject to ties. Field Rank and thus points are averaged for all ties.)
RINGERS – This is an end of season award based on each player’s totals of the best gross score on each hole. Awards will be by flight for 18-hole division players. Nine-hole division players will be awarded based on the best 9-hole score.
MOST IMPROVED ~ This is an end of season award that is determined using the formula in the USGA Handicap Committee Guide. It is based on each player’s handicap index at the start of our season vs. their index at the end of our season. All HLGL members who have played a minimum of 2/3 of the played HLGL weekly tournaments are eligible for this award. This includes all weekly games, majors and scrambles.
9-HOLE DIVISION ~ HLGL will also have an option for players to play in a 9-hole division. Procedures for playing 9 holes are:
Players will pay the same registration fee as the 18-hole division.
There will be no minimum number of players needed to play but a minimum of 3 players with handicaps is needed to make a flight and an award will be given for 1st place.
1st and 2nd place prizes for games will be handed out each week when at least 4 players with handicaps play that week.
Players will need a handicap to win prizes but not to go out and play.
Except for the Club Championship, all 9-hole weekly game awards are based on total net scores, using ½ of the player’s current handicap.
Players are not eligible for Queen of the Links or Grand Ace.
Once you play18 holes, you are part of the 18-hole division and are not eligible for 9-hole prizes.
18-hole division players may play with the 9-hole division players but cannot qualify for prizes in that flight.
There is a 12-stroke limit per hole in this division. If you reach 12 strokes before holing out, just pick up and record a 12 on your scorecard and an X for putts. If you record a 12X on any hole, the player is not eligible to win "low putts" but is still included in the 'game of the day' competition. The 12-stroke maximum rule does NOT apply during a major tournament. You must count and record all strokes to be eligible for Flight Nine winnings in a major. To increase pace of play though, we encourage members to pick up after12 strokes (record an 'X' for putts) and take themselves out of the tournament competition.
Only the Herndon Centennial Golf Course can designate a hole as "unplayable". We are to play all holes unless the course instructs otherwise.
9-hole players are eligible for chip-ins, birdies, CTTP and hole-in one.
Unfinished Holes~ if you don't finish a hole (e.g. pick-up or weather), enter an X on the score card. This process should also be applied to the Weekly Scoring Sheet. You remain eligible for the closest to the pin and chip-in contests, BUT you are ineligible for the weekly game or tournament.
On holes 4, 9, and 18, 9-hole players will hit their first shot from the front tee box. If that shot goes into the creek bed the player will drop their next shot in the rough on the other side of the creek bed, within 2 club lengths of the creek bed. The player will be hitting their third shot.
A weekly award (presently $3) will be paid to the weekly low putt member. To qualify to win, the member would need to play all nine holes. A handicap is NOT required to win. A minimum of three (3) members must turn in putts for the week to have a winner. Putts would be recorded on a score card, verified (like always) and turned in to the VP of Tournaments. If you are keeping a handicap, record your scores and putts on the Weekly Score Sheet as usual.