League Rules

Local Rules for NIHGL 9-hole League: 

Lost Ball: If a player can’t find his/her golf ball in the woods or in the rough, leaves, etc., (max three minutes to hunt) drop the ball laterally, as close to the spot where it  was last seen and take a one stroke penalty. If it went into the woods, drop the ball laterally one club length where it entered the woods, no closer to the hole, and take one stroke penalty.  If that was the tee shot, the player now lies 2, hitting 3. Note this differs from the USGA rule of taking the total 2 stroke penalty for a “lost  ball”. 

Out of Bounds: If a player hits the ball out of bounds, he/she may hit another shot from the same spot (stroke and distance) OR he/she may take advantage of the new USGA rule of dropping the ball laterally in the fairway where it went OB – within 2 club lengths with a 2 stroke penalty. If it was the tee shot, the player is lying 3 and hitting 4, but the ball can be placed in the fairway.

Fairway Lies: Any ball in the fairway may be rolled (no closer to the  hole) to avoid hitting out of a divot or bare spot etc. 

Match Play Rules: 5 completed holes denotes an official match (in the  event weather conditions dictate a stoppage of play.) Also, once a hole  has been decided all players should pick up – if a player is on the green he/she takes 1 stroke extra when they pick up. A player off the green  (in the bushes, etc.) must add 2 strokes to their score. This speeds up  play such that someone lying 9 behind the porta-potty doesn’t have to  whack away until they are in the hole with a 15!

Different Par for Ladies vs. Men on any hole:  Card the actual scores (gross & net) just like you would do for any  other hole. The only difference is who wins the hole. On holes  where it’s a par 5 for women and a par 4 for men, then a female  getting a 5 ties a male with a 4. The hole winner is determined on  strokes to par. But NO change for the way the scores are  recorded. 

Equitable Stroke Control: If a player picks up with a high score, he/she may choose to put the  maximum allowable score for that hole based on their handicap. In  our league this means that an A flight player has a maximum score  of 7 on any hole (for handicap purposes.) Our B flight has a  maximum score of 8. Even if a player records a score of 9 it will be changed to the maximum score allowable.