2026
HLGL LOCAL RULES
HLGL plays by USGA Rules, as modified by several HLGL Local Rules adopted to facilitate pace of play and to accommodate other considerations:
Distance Measuring Devices: Players may use electronic devices that measure distance. The use of devices that gauge or measure other conditions that might affect play (i.e., wind or gradient) is not permitted. Since distance information is a matter of permitted information exchange, it is not advice and can be freely shared, either orally or through the shared use of a distance measuring device. Multi-use devices such as cell phones with a golf app may be used since they merely report publicly-available weather or other information and do not 'gauge' or measure conditions that might influence play.
Embedded Ball: Anywhere ‘through the green’ (includes rough, but not hazards, tee boxes, or other greens), a ball embedded in its own pitch mark may be lifted without penalty, cleaned and dropped as near as possible to the spot where it lay but not nearer the hole.
Ground Under Repair (usually marked with white lines or green and white stakes): (1) If ground under repair is not marked, you may take free relief (1 club length) if your playing companions agree. (2) Free lift and drop within 1 club length from nearest point of relief, not nearer the hole, from small seedlings or shrubs (1 club length high or less), all flower beds and mulched areas, re-sodded areas, areas worn by cart use, and posts and ropes around greens if not movable, tractor marks, and standing water that pools if stepped on. If in doubt, consult with the other members of your group.
Out of Bounds/Lost Ball/Provisional
If you think your ball might be out of bounds or that you might not find it, you can play a provisional ball to save time. You must announce that you are playing a provisional ball before doing so. If you are then unable to find your original ball, or you find it out of bounds, your provisional ball is your ball in play.
You have 3 minutes to search for your ball before it becomes lost. If you have not played a provisional ball and you hit your ball out of bounds or lose it, for 2 penalty strokes, you can estimate the spot where your ball is lost or went out of bounds and then find the nearest fairway edge that is not nearer the hole than the estimated spot. You can drop the ball in the fairway within 2 club lengths of that fairway edge point, or anywhere between there and the estimated spot where your ball is lost or went out of bounds.
You will be allowed to ground your club and move loose impediments in a penalty area.
Dropping a Ball Back in Play: Players will now drop a ball from the knee instead of shoulder height. If you accidently drop the ball from your shoulder, and you catch your mistake or another player calls out your mistake, you may pick up the ball and re-drop; however, if you drop from shoulder height and hit the ball, then you will incur a one stroke penalty. So please, if you see someone about to make that mistake, call it out and let them know. This is not considered giving advice. Additionally, the ball must come to rest in the relief area, which is always determined by the longest club in your bag except your putter.
Bunkers: Stones or other loose impediments in bunkers are deemed to be movable obstructions and may be removed without penalty. If your ball moves as a direct result of the removal, the ball is replaced without penalty.
Due to the number of four-legged and two-legged bunker entrants who leave the bunkers unraked, HLGL has instituted a new procedure that will allow you to lift your ball, rake the spot it was located and replace it in the same location in a bunker if, upon the agreement of the playing members in your group, you are in an unnatural condition in a bunker such as human footprints or animal tracks or burrows, bad raking, or other issues that have the condition of the bunker in other than well raked condition. Your ball must be replaced in the same position and in the same condition (i.e. a fried egg lie must be replaced as a fried egg lie). Balls lying on the cloth fabric in bunkers can be replaced on raked sand no closer to the hole. Playing partners must agree on what is to be done and approve it once done.
If you take an "unplayable lie" from a condition in the bunker and remain in the bunker, it is a one stroke penalty. If you remove the ball from the bunker, it is a two stroke penalty.
Double Hit: A double hit is almost always accidental and the outcome so random as to hardly be beneficial. So, players are now spared from additional penalty, provided it was not intentional. It will only count as one stroke.
Advice: During an HLGL major tournament a player cannot ask for or give advice. Advice is any counsel or suggestion that could influence a player in determining her play, her choice of a club, or the method of making a stroke. Information on the Rules or on matters of public information such as yardages, or the position of hazards or the flag stick is not advice. Penalty for breach: 2 strokes.
Lift, Clean and Place: Players may lift, clean and place their ball on their own fairway* when the course or specific holes, or portions of holes have been declared “cart path only.” You do not need to mark your ball and you may place it within 6 inches of its initial position.
*Fairway includes the Apron and Collar around the green.
Fairway Divot: If your ball lands in a divot on your fairway, you may lift and place the ball within 6 inches of either side of the divot but no closer to the hole. You are NOT allowed to "clean" the ball.
Disputes Arising During Play: Members of HLGL are considered to be “Fellow Competitors” and not “Rules Officials” when playing in the same HLGL competition. When a player is uncertain as to a ruling during play, the player may elect to exercise USGA Rule 3-3 (Doubt as to Procedure) and play a second ball. After play, a ruling must be made in the clubhouse before signing the scorecard by consulting with a local Herndon Pro. Every member is responsible for knowing and abiding by the Rules of Golf and failure to do so may result in penalties in accordance with the Rules of Golf.
Accidental Movement of a Ball: When your ball lies on the putting green, there is no penalty if the ball or ball-marker is accidentally moved by you or others. The moved ball or ball-marker must be replaced. [Note: If it is determined that the ball on the putting green was moved as a result of wind, water or some other natural cause, the ball is played as it lies from its new location. A ball-marker moved in such circumstances is replaced.]
The same applies if you are searching for a lost ball and mistakenly move it. Put the ball back, and you're good to go.
Putting Green Marks: You are allowed to repair spike marks and any other damage on the putting green caused by a person, an animal or maintenance practices.
Split Foursome: If ONE player in your foursome indicates they feel a need to split up, you MUST split up. It is obvious that the player is uncomfortable, and we need to respect their request.