Rules And Information
On behalf of the Fox Hollow Men's Golf Club Board of Directors, we would like to welcome you to the 2024 season! Unless otherwise stipulated below, USGA rules will govern all play during club events. In addition, we expect all members to abide by specific local and course rules. Below is a brief synopsis of how the club will be setup this year.
Membership Fees and Weekly Costs
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The membership fee for the 2024 season is $90 and includes a GLS handicap, tournament prizes, access to season long skins and closest to the pin competitions, entry into the hole-in-one club, food at selected events (2 or 3 per year) and helps the club cover various other operational club costs.
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In addition to normal greens fees, the weekly tournament registration fee is $11 per player ($5 is allocated to the prize pool, $5 goes to the skins pot, and the remaining $1 is set aside for club revenue to help cover operational costs). The FHMGC is a cashless club and pays for both the greens fees and tournament registration fee at the pro-shop for all events played at Baltimore County Courses. For other events, each member will pay your greens fees at the pro-shop, and you will pay your tournament registration fee via Venmo, Zelle, etc., prior to the tournament.
Season Schedule / Tee Times
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There are 37 events on the 2024 season schedule spanning from March 9th through October 26th. Tee Times for events at Baltimore County courses will normally start at 9:00 a.m. Tee times for travel series events will start a little later, normally between 10-10:30 a.m.
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The schedule is broken down into several smaller "pieces," including ten Fox Hollow Cup Events, five Baltimore County Series events, six travel series events, and several other team/alternate format events. In addition, we also host three overnight golf trips (one in April, one in May, one in October). There are no minimum or maximum # of events that members are required to play! Play as little or as often as you like.
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Fox Hollow Cup Events: Ten events consisting of seven flighted (based on handicap index) individual stroke-play events, two match-play competitions, and one 2-player best ball event (Presidents Cup). Four of these events have been designated as "elevated" and will carry 50 bonus Fox Hollow Cup points (Spring handicap, Summer handicap, Fall handicap and the Club Championship). Please note that only your best seven net scores will count.
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End-of-year Prize Money associated with the Fox Hollow Cup:
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1st Place (Player of the Year): $150
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2nd place: $125
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3rd Place: $100
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4th Place: $75
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5th Place: $50
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6th Place: $40
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7th Place: $25
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8th Place: $10
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The Ten Fox Hollow Cup events are as follows:
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Cinco de Mayo Classic
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Cardigan Road Shootout
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Donald B. Blair Spring Handicap
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Club Match Play Tournament (Quad Format)
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Solo Match Play vs. Par
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Summer Handicap
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President's Cup (2-Person Team Event)
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Football is Back Celebration
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Fall Handicap
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Club Championship (36 Holes Stroke Play)
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The Baltimore County Series consists of five events (one at each of the five Baltimore County courses) with players competing in flighted (based on handicap index) individual stroke-play competitions. The season long competition associated with the Baltimore County Series awards the golfer with the lowest cumulative net score (regardless of flights) in these events only. Please note that only your four best net scores will count. However, you also must play in at least four of the five events to be eligible.
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End-of-Year Prize Money associated with the Baltimore County Series:
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1st Place: $100
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2nd Place: $75
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3rd place: $50
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4th Place: $40
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5th Place: $25
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6th Place: $10
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The five Baltimore County Series events are:
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Fox Hollow Masters
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The Woodlands PGA Championship
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Rocky Point U.S. Open Championship
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Diamond Ridge British Open
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Greystone Championship
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The Travel Series consists of six events with players competing in a modified Stableford format competition. The season long competition associated with the Travel Series awards the golfer who accumulates the highest total of Stableford points. Please note that only your four best Stableford scores will count. Unlike the Baltimore County Series, you are not required to play in a minimum number of events to be eligible.
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End-of-Year Prize Money associated with the Travel Series:
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1st Place: $100
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2nd Place: $75
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3rd Place: $50
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4th Place: $40
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5th Place: $25
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6th Place: $10
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The six Travel Series events are:
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Chesapeake Bay Golf Club
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Glade Valley GC
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Cool Creek Golf Club
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Quail Valley Golf Club
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Compass Pointe Golf Club (North East)
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Mountain Branch
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The three "Overnight" trips will be sponsored by various members and information specific to these trips will be promulgated well in advance to allow for appropriate scheduling.
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The three weekday week events will be held at:
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Coastal Cup - April 26-28 - Ocean City, MD
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Shenandoah Valley - May 15/16 - Winchester, VA
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Carroll Valley @ Liberty Ski Resort - Oct 9/10 - Fairfield, PA
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The remaining events on the schedule feature numerous different team/partner formats. Additional details on the scoring format for these events will be provided closer to the actual event date.
Fox Hollow Cup / Player of the Year / John W. Wood Cup
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The Fox Hollow Cup / Player of the Year competition is the club's version of the PGA Tour's FedEx Cup. During each of the 10 Fox Hollow Cup events, players will earn points based on overall net score (no flights). The top 40 finishers in each event will earn points, with the overall low net score earning 200 points and decreasing from there in five-point increments (195 for 2nd, 190 for 3rd, etc.). In addition, 50 bonus points will be awarded for the Spring handicap, Summer handicap, Fall handicap tournaments, and the Club Championship.
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Player of the Year Award: The Player of the Year will be awarded to the member that accumulates the most Fox Hollow Cup points throughout the year. Please note that only seven scores (best 7 of 10 scores) will be used for Player of the Year. The winner of the Player of the Year will receive a $150 prize and a trophy.
Player of the Year Standings can be viewed here: Player of the Year Standings.
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On October 19, 2024, Maryland National Golf Club will host the 4th Annual John W. Wood Cup. The John W. Wood Cup is a friendly interclub Ryder Cup style team competition. The Top 24 finishers on the final Fox Hollow Cup standings (following club championship) will qualify for the Cup and will be divided into two teams (12 people each). The Top 2 finishers on the final standings list will serve as team captains. If anyone from the top 24 is unavailable to play, alternates will be chosen starting at number 25 and working downward until all 24 spots have been filled.
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The competition is two-man teams using the Triple Combo Match Play format with each match being worth 3 points (one point for Front 9, one point for Back 9, and one point for overall match). The team that accumulates the most points will be the winners and "take home the cup!"
Each member of the winning team will receive $25. The winning Captain will also receive a trophy.
Prize Money, Skins, CTPs, the "Money Hole", and the Hole-in-One-Fund
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At each event, all registered players will contribute $5 to the prize money pool (this is part of the $11 tournament registration fee). In addition, the club contributes an additional $1.25 per registered player to the prize pool.
When deciding how to allocate the prize pool for each event, the club attempts to award prizes based on a ratio of 1 prize per every 4 golfers registered for the event. This is not a perfect science, so some events it may be slightly less and in others slightly more. Examples of prizes awarded include low gross, low net, net flight winners, team winners, etc.
After prizes are awarded for each event, the season-long money list within GLS will be updated. You can view the money list here: The Money List can be viewed here: 2024 Season Money List.
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At each event, all registered players will contribute $5 to the net skins pot (this is part of the $11 tournament registration fee). For individual events, GLS will automatically split the field in half (based on handicap index) and form 2 flights for skins. Therefore, you are competing
with players of similar ability when vying for skins. For team competitions, in most cases, there will only be 1 flight for skins.
What is a net skin? A net skin is awarded only if one player has the lowest net score on a hole.
The process of awarding skins is automated within GLS and eliminates human error. Similar to other prizes, winnings associated with skins will automatically be added to the season-long money list following each event.
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Closest to the Pin (CTP) contests are fully funded by the club. In years past, CTPs were conducted on every Par 3 at all scheduled events. However, due to Pace of Play issues and concerns, beginning with the 2024 season, CTP contests will only be conducted at events at Fox Hollow Golf Course. However, the money that was budgeted for CTPs at all remaining events will be redirected back into the Player Prize Pool.
CTP markers will be located near the green for each Par 3 hole. At the end of the event, the participant whose tee shot was closest to the pin following the tee shot (regardless of tee played) will earn the CTP prize. Each CTP will pay $15.00 (with the exception of the "Money Hole," see below) and like the other prize categories, prize money associated with CTPs will be reflected on the season-long money list.
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The "Money Hole" operates the same as the other Closest to the Pin (CTP) contests, but with increased value. At each Fox Hollow event, the "Money Hole" will alternate between each of the Par 3 and will have a value of $25.
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Each member contributes $5 to the Hole-in-One (HIO) pot as part of your annual membership dues payment. For the 2024 season, all club tournaments, with the exception of the mid-week events and the Coastal Cup, will be eligible for the HIO prize. At the end of the season, each member who scores a HIO during eligible events will evenly split the HIO pot. If no one gets a HIO during the season, the pot will carry over to the following year. Last year we had 137 members and there were no HIOs, so the $685 pot will carry over into 2024. For 2024, we have 138 members (138*$5=$690), so the HIO pot is set at $1,375. Lastly, guests are not eligible for the HIO pot.
Club Policy for Handicaps and Posting Scores
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The club will use GLS for our primary handicap service. As a result, all scores from club events will be automatically entered into GLS. Members are expected to post their non-club scores into GLS (using hole-by-hole) on the same day as the round was played.
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Equitable Stroke Control (ESC) / Net Double Bogey: The reason that the USGA suggests hole-by-hole scoring is that it affords the ability to apply any downward adjustments of individual hole scores for handicapping purposes. For more info on ESC/Net Double Bogey, click here: ESC/Net Double Bogey.
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What scores are acceptable to post for handicap purposes: Scores Acceptable for Handicap Purposes.
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New members who do not have an established handicap will receive an initial course handicap of 10. Once the member has posted three rounds into GLS (using hole-by-hole), we will begin using their new handicap index for club events. As an alternative, you can simply supply the dated scorecards to us, and we will enter the scores for you.
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Maximum Course Handicap for the club will be 32.
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When should "Non-League" scores be posted? See USGA rules for knowing when to enter a non league score.
Entering a Non-League Score.
Club Policy for Pace of Play
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Time is a very important thing in our everyday lives. The FHMGC places a premium on overall pace of play at all of our events. In accordance with the Baltimore County Golf Pace-of-Play Initiative, pace of play requirements is listed below. Please keep in mind, the time starts when the first member of your group has hit their tee shot and when the last putt is holed out on Hole #18.
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Before 8am: 4 hours or less
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8am – 10am: 4 hours and 10 minutes or less
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10am – 12pm: 4 hours and 20 minutes or less
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After 12pm: 4 hours and 30 minutes or less
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Cart path only restrictions add 18 minutes to these requirements
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Below are some simple suggestions for each group that may help increase the overall speed of play:
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Play “Ready Golf”
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Always keep pace with the group in front of you
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Be ready to play when it is your turn
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When riding in a cart, drop your partner off then go to your ball
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If carts are restricted to the cart path, take a few clubs to your ball
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Read your putt while others are playing
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Limit your turn time between #9 and #10
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Watch your ball off of the tee and pick a landmark to help locate the ball
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Limit time looking for lost golf balls
Club Policy for Guest Play
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In most cases, guests are permitted to play in all events except for FH Cup events. If you'd like to bring a guest, you will be required to provide the following info so that a GLS profile can be created for each guest: Name, phone number, e-mail address, and current GHIN handicap info. In addition, guests are required to pay the $11 tournament registration fee.
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In addition, the following guidelines are being implemented to assist with GLS billing related to guests:
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If guests play in two or fewer events, they will not inquire a GLS fee
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If guests play in 3-4 events, they will be required to pay a $7.50 GLS fee
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If guests play in five or more events, they will be required to pay the full $15.00 GLS fee
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In an effort to separate members from guests within GLS, guests will be entered as "substitutes" to eliminate possible billing issues.
Club Policy for Tiebreakers
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The club has adopted the USGA's preferred method for breaking ties. This method, known as the "Last 9, Last 6, Last 3, Last 1 rule", will be used to settle both gross and net ties. For our match-play and stroke play club championships, every effort will be made to facilitate an actual playoff in lieu of using these tiebreaking procedures.
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Scorecards will be matched in the following order:
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Last 9 holes, if still tied continue.
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Last 6 holes, if still tied continue.
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Last 3 holes, if still tied continue.
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Score for 18th hole, if still tied continue.
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#1 Handicap Hole and moving down until tie is broken.
Club Policy for Determining Teeing Ground
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The primary teeing ground at all events will be the "Men's" tee markers. As an example, at all Baltimore County courses, the "Men's" tee box is the white tee markers.
There are 2 exceptions to this rule: 1) During the club championship, all players electing to participate in the Championship Flight will play both days from the Blue Tees. 2) In years past, in order to be eligible to play from the "Forward" tees (gold tees at Fox Hollow), your age plus handicap index must be equal to or greater than 90. However, beginning with the 2024 season, the Board of Directors voted to disband this rule and allow all members to play from their desired teeing ground.
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Members electing to play from the Forward Tees for the 2024 Season:
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Gary Burgan
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Jay Weinstein
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John Wood
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Henry Wiland
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Tom Evans
Club Policy for Inclement Weather and/or Event Cancellation
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Should we experience inclement weather and need to cancel an event, every attempt will be made to notify the membership (preferably the night before). Club leadership will use the following methods to provide advance notification: e-mail blast, push notification via the GLS App, news post on our club website and GroupMe account, and sending text messages to as many members as possible, and also alerting the golf course.
Members can also call the event golf course pro-shop to receive current status of events. Lastly, feel free to call or text Mike Curtis at (808) 342-1812. If we need to cancel an event, we will attempt to reschedule it based on schedule flexibility and course availability.
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Inclement weather policies during an event - In the event that there is lightning in the area or inclement weather has forced the course to close and/or suspend play, the following procedures will be followed:
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Determine if the course intends to re-open for play and approximate time of delay.
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If the course has made the decision to re-open for play within 60 minutes, the following steps will be followed:
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Option #1: Return to the course and complete your round
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Option #2: If you’ve completed at least 13 holes and do not wish to return to the course and complete the round, you will be given “net” bogeys for the remaining holes.
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If you’ve played less than 13 holes and do not wish to complete your round, you will be withdrawn from the event (tournament registration fee not refunded).
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If the course has made the decision that it will NOT re-open for play (or if the delay is more than 60 minutes), the following steps will be followed:
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Determine if everyone has played at least 13 holes.
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If the answer is yes, each player will receive “net” bogeys for the remaining holes and the tournament will count as an official event.
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If the answer is no, proceed to the next step.
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Determine if everyone has played at least 9 holes.
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If yes, the event will be converted to a 9-hole event and will count as an official event. Players will post a 9-hole score to their GHIN accounts.
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If no, the event will be cancelled, and the tournament registration fees will be credited towards the next/future event.
Local/General Club Rules
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Any Ruling Decisions and/or questions pertaining to the rules will be left to the discretion of Max Levine, the Rules Committee Chairman. In the event the issue can't be resolved, it will be elevated for review by the entire FHMGC BOD.
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Play Ball as it Lies - We play the ball as it lies unless the Tournament Director declares specific tournament rules that lift, clean, and place is permitted. Under lift, clean, and place conditions, you must replace your ball within 6 inches of its original location.
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Hole All Putts – In general, all putts must be holed for all FHMGC competitions.
For pace of play, FHMGC has exceptions to this rule that include match play competition (putts may be conceded by your competitor) and team play competition when your strokes have exceeded the number of strokes for your score to count.
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To assist with pace of play, ball searches are limited to one minute (vice USGA allowed 3 minutes).
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Interference by cart path or sprinkler head: You are entitled to a penalty free drop within one club length of the nearest point of relief, no closer to the hole.
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On the putting green, a ball that comes to rest in or on an aeration hole may be placed at the nearest spot not nearer the hole that avoids the situation. Enforcement of this rule typically results in moving your ball on the green laterally (no closer to the hole) less than one inch, in order to get out of an aeration hole.
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If your ball comes to rest on hard pan that borders the cart path, you may take relief without penalty at the nearest point no closer to the hole, even if the cart path itself will not interfere with your shot.
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RELIEF FROM LOOSE IMPEDIMENTS: You may remove a loose impediment without penalty anywhere on or off the course and may do so in any way (such as by using your hand or foot or a club or other equipment).
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The USGA defines Loose Impediments as any unattached natural object such as: Stones, loose grass, leaves, branches and sticks, dead animals, animal waste, worms, insects (and the mounds or webs they build, and clumps of compacted soil (including aeration plugs).
For more specific information related to Loose Impediments, please review:
USGA Rule 15.1 "Relief from Loose Impediments".
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RELIEF FROM MOVABLE OBSTRUCTIONS: You may remove a movable obstruction without penalty anywhere on or off the course and may do so in any way. If your ball moves while you are removing a movable obstruction, there is no penalty, and your ball must be replaced on its original spot (which if not known must be estimated).
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The USGA defines Movable Obstructions as an obstruction that can be moved with reasonable effort and without damaging the obstruction or the course. If part of an immovable obstruction or integral object (such as a gate or door or part of an attached cable) meets these two standards, that part is treated as a movable obstruction For more information specific to Movable Obstructions, please review: USGA Rule 15.2 "Relief From Movable Obstructions".
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RELIEF FROM ABNORMAL COURSE CONDITIONS (Ground Under Repair, Casual/Temporary Water, etc.):
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Ground under repair must be marked or otherwise identified on the course (a small fence, sign, or other notice). If you think your ball lies in ground under repair but there is no indication or marking, play it as it lies.
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For casual water relief, find the nearest point of relief no closer to the hole where neither you or your ball lie in water that can be seen without pressing your feet up and down. You may then drop your ball within 1 club length from that point no nearer to the hole with no penalty.
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For more information specific to Abnormal Course Conditions, please review: USGA Rule 16 "Relief from Abnormal Course Conditions".
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FHMGC Local Rule for Lost Ball and Out of Bounds
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Instead of using the USGA rule for lost ball and out of bounds, FHMGC has adopted
the following rule:
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Players who have a Lost Ball or hit a ball OB, can opt to take a drop in their own fairway nearest the point that the ball was lost or went OB under the penalty of 2 strokes.
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As an example, if you hit your tee shot OB, you can drop in your own fairway nearest the point where the ball went OB and be hitting your 4th shot.
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On Par 3 holes and cases where a ball is lost or OB near the green, if you choose relief option #2, you must take a two-stroke penalty and drop the ball within one club length of where your ball crossed the out of bounds marker line or was lost.
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If a player hits the wrong ball, the mistake must be corrected (go back and play the correct ball) and a 2-stroke penalty is assessed. The owner of the ball that was incorrectly hit does not incur a penalty and must place it as near to the original spot as possible. Click here for specific details on USGA Rule 6.3(c) (Wrong Ball).
Fox Hollow Golf Course: Hazards, Penalties, Drops, and Relief
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Hole 1
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OUT OF BOUNDS IMMEDIATELY TO THE RIGHT IDENTIFIED BY WHITE STAKES (DRIVING RANGE NET AREA): Two options for relief:
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(1) Take Relief under penalty of stroke and distance (Example: If you hit your tee shot OB, by invoking stroke and distance relief, you will be hitting your third shot from the tee). Click here for specific details on USGA Rule 18 (Stroke-and-Distance Relief; Ball Lost or Out of Bounds; Provisional Ball).
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(2) Take relief using FHMGC's Local Rule for Players who have a Lost Ball or hit a ball OB. By invoking this option, you may take a drop in your own fairway nearest the point that the ball was lost or went OB under the penalty of two strokes. Please note that if you invoke this option on this particular hole, your drop area will be in the very beginning of the fairway (well in excess of 200 yards from the green).
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WOODED AREA RIGHT OF ROAD (NO WHITE STAKES): This area is not a penalty area. There are multiple possible scenarios and options in play here:
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Scenario #1: You find your ball in the wooded area. Two options available:
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Option #1: You play the ball as it lies.
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Option #2: You find the ball but declare it unplayable. USGA Rule 19 covers your relief options for an unplayable ball. This allows you to choose which option to use – normally with one penalty stroke – to get out of a difficult situation anywhere on the course (except in a penalty area). The most common option will be to take relief by dropping the ball within one club length of the location of the original ball, no closer to the hole) under the penalty of one stroke. Click here for specific details on USGA Rule 19 (Unplayable Lie).
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Scenario #2: You do not find your ball (after 2-minute search) and declare it lost: Two options available:
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Option #1: Take Relief under penalty of stroke and distance (Example: If your tee shot is in the wooded area and declared lost, by invoking stroke and distance relief, you will be hitting your third shot from the tee). Click here for specific details on USGA Rule 18 (Stroke-and-Distance Relief; Ball Lost or Out of Bounds; Provisional Ball).
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Option #2: Take relief using FHMGC's Local Rule for Players who have a Lost Ball or hit a ball OB. By invoking this option, you may take a drop in your own fairway nearest the point that the ball was lost or went OB under the penalty of two strokes (For example, if tee shot was lost, you would be hitting shot #4 from the fairway).
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Hole 2
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HIGH GRASS AND MARSHY AREA JUST TO RIGHT OF TEE AND ALONG THE RIGHT SIDE OF HOLE: Penalty Area - 1 penalty stroke - drop or rehit. Click here for specific details on USGA Rule 17 (Penalty Areas).
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WOODED AREA NEAR RIGHT SIDE OF GREEN AND BEHIND GREEN: This area is not a penalty area. There are multiple possible scenarios and options in play here:
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Scenario #1: You find your ball in the wooded area. Two options available:
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Option #1: You play the ball as it lies.
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Option #2: You find the ball but declare it unplayable. USGA Rule 19 covers your relief options for an unplayable ball. This allows you to choose which option to use – normally with one penalty stroke – to get out of a difficult situation anywhere on the course (except in a penalty area). The most common option will be to take relief by dropping the ball within one club length of the location of the original ball, no closer to the hole) under the penalty of one stroke. Click here for specific details on USGA Rule 19 (Unplayable Lie).
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Scenario #2: You do not find your ball (after 2-minute search) and declare it lost: Two options available:
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Option #1: Take Relief under penalty of stroke and distance (Example: If your tee shot is in the wooded area and declared lost, by invoking stroke and distance relief, you will be hitting your third shot from the tee). Click here for specific details on USGA Rule 18 (Stroke-and-Distance Relief; Ball Lost or Out of Bounds; Provisional Ball).
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Option #2: Take relief using FHMGC's Local Rule for Players who have a Lost Ball or hit a ball OB. By invoking this option, you may take a drop within one club length of where your ball entered the wooded area under the penalty of two strokes (For example, if it was your tee shot that was lost in the wooded area, after dropping the ball you will be hitting your 4th shot).
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Hole 3
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Hole 4
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HIGH GRASS AREA NEAR RIGHT SIDE OF GREEN AND BEHIND GREEN: This area is not a penalty area. There are multiple possible scenarios and options in play here:
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Scenario #1: You find your ball in the wooded area. Two options available:
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Option #1: You play the ball as it lies.
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Option #2: You find the ball but declare it unplayable. USGA Rule 19 covers your relief options for an unplayable ball. This allows you to choose which option to use – normally with one penalty stroke – to get out of a difficult situation anywhere on the course (except in a penalty area). The most common option will be to take relief by dropping the ball within one club length of the location of the original ball, no closer to the hole) under the penalty of one stroke. Click here for specific details on USGA Rule 19 (Unplayable Lie).
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Scenario #2: You do not find your ball (after 2-minute search) and declare it lost: Two options available:
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Option #1: Take Relief under penalty of stroke and distance (Example: If your tee shot is in the wooded area and declared lost, by invoking stroke and distance relief, you will be hitting your third shot from the tee). Click here for specific details on USGA Rule 18 (Stroke-and-Distance Relief; Ball Lost or Out of Bounds; Provisional Ball).
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Option #2: Take relief using FHMGC's Local Rule for Players who have a Lost Ball or hit a ball OB. By invoking this option, you may take a drop within one club length of where your ball entered the high grass area under the penalty of two strokes (For example, if it was your second shot that was lost in the high grass area, after dropping the ball you will be hitting your 5th shot).
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Hole 5
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Hole 6
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OUT OF BOUNDS RIGHT SIDE OF FAIRWAY: Two options for relief:
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Hole 7
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OUT OF BOUNDS RIGHT SIDE OF FAIRWAY: Two options for relief:
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Hole 8
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Hole 9
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No specific hazard, penalty, relief, or drop areas to address.
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Hole 10
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OUT OF BOUNDS BEHIND AND LEFT OF GREEN: Two options for relief:
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(1) Take Relief under penalty of stroke and distance (Example: If you hit your tee shot OB, by invoking stroke and distance relief, you will be hitting your third shot from the tee). Click here for specific details on USGA Rule 18 (Stroke-and-Distance Relief; Ball Lost or Out of Bounds; Provisional Ball).
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(2) Take relief using FHMGC's Local Rule for Players who have a Lost Ball or hit a ball OB. By invoking this option, you may take a drop within one club length of where your ball crossed the OB marker under the penalty of two strokes (If it was your tee shot that went OB, you will be hitting your 4th shot).
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Hole 11
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Hole 12
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Hole 13
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Hole 14
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HIGH GRASS AND WOODED AREA RIGHT OF FAIRWAY: Penalty Area (red stakes) - 1 penalty stroke - drop or rehit. Click here for specific details on USGA Rule 17 (Penalty Areas).
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The Fairway bunker on the right side of hole #14 has been repaired and filled with sand. As a result, it will NO LONGER be considered ground under repair. Unless otherwise noted, play the ball as it lies if you are in this fairway bunker.
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Hole 15
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HIGH GRASS AND WOODED AREA LEFT AND BEHIND HOLE: This area is not a penalty area. There are multiple possible scenarios and options in play here:
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Scenario #1: You find your ball in the wooded area. Two options available:
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Option #1: You play the ball as it lies.
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Option #2: You find the ball but declare it unplayable. USGA Rule 19 covers your relief options for an unplayable ball. This allows you to choose which option to use – normally with one penalty stroke – to get out of a difficult situation anywhere on the course (except in a penalty area). The most common option will be to take relief by dropping the ball within one club length of the location of the original ball, no closer to the hole) under the penalty of one stroke. Click here for specific details on USGA Rule 19 (Unplayable Lie).
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Scenario #2: You do not find your ball (after 2-minute search) and declare it lost: Two options available:
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Option #1: Take Relief under penalty of stroke and distance (Example: If your second shot ends up in the wooded area behind the green and declared lost, by invoking stroke and distance relief, you will be hitting your fourth shot from the same location as your previous shot). Click here for specific details on USGA Rule 18 (Stroke-and-Distance Relief; Ball Lost or Out of Bounds; Provisional Ball).
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Option #2: Take relief using FHMGC's Local Rule for Players who have a Lost Ball or hit a ball OB. By invoking this option, you may take a drop within one club length of where your ball entered the high grass/wooded area under the penalty of two strokes (For example, if it was your second shot that was lost in the high grass area, after dropping the ball you will be hitting your 5th shot).
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Hole 16
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Hole 17
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HIGH GRASS AND WOODS LEFT OF FAIRWAY (SHORT OF FAIRWAY BUNKERS): Penalty Area (red stakes) - 1 penalty stroke - drop or rehit. Click here for specific details on USGA Rule 17 (Penalty Areas).
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OUT OF BOUNDS OVER THE FENCE LEFT SIDE OF FAIRWAY AND BEHIND GREEN: Two options for relief:
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The overgrown swampy area on the left side of #17 (between woods and the 1st fairway bunker) will be played as Ground Under Repair. When taking relief from Ground Under Repair (an abnormal ground condition), the player must drop the ball, without penalty, within ONE club-length of and not nearer the hole than the nearest point of relief.
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Hole 18
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OUT OF BOUNDS OVER THE FENCE LEFT SIDE OF FAIRWAY: Two options for relief: