The Halford Hewitt Cup 2022
Local Rules
The following Local Rules, together with any additions or amendments as published by the Public Schools’ Golfing Society (“PSGS”) at the golf course will apply throughout the Halford Hewitt Cup.
- Abnormal Ground Condition (Modification to Rule 16.1)
Interference does not exist if an animal hole only interferes with a player’s stance.
Fixed Sprinkler Heads
All fixed sprinkler heads are immovable obstructions and relief from interference by them may be taken under Rule 16.1.
The Player also has these extra options to take relief when such immovable obstructions are on or close to the putting green and on the line of play:
Ball in General Area. The player may take relief under Rule 16.1b if an immovable obstruction is:
- On the line of play, and is:
- On or within two club-lengths of the putting green, and
- Within two club-lengths of the ball; and
- Both the ball and the immovable obstruction lie in a part of the general area cut to fairway height or less.
Exception – No Relief If Line of Play Clearly Unreasonable. There is no relief under this Local Rule if the player chooses a line of play that is clearly unreasonable.
- Limited Relief for Embedded Ball (Modification to Rule 16.3)
Free relief is not available for a ball embedded in the stacked turf face above a bunker.
- Local Rules specific to the golf course being played:
At Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club
Out of Bounds (Rule 18.2)
At the 1st hole only, out of bounds is defined by the line between the course-side points at ground level of the white stones. Out of bounds is defined elsewhere to be beyond fences and white boundary stakes around the course. Any such white stones (at the 1st hole only), and any such stakes or fences elsewhere on the course are boundary objects.
The Sea Wall
The Sea Wall is an integral object and not an obstruction – free relief under Rule 16.1 is not available except for interference from (a) any paved steps in the Sea Wall and (b) the concrete culvert on the sea wall to the right of the forward tee at the 7th hole. If the ball lies on the sea wall loose impediments may be removed, but if removal of the loose impediment causes the ball to move, see Rule 15.1b.
Ancient Highway (Holes 9 to 13 inclusive)
The Ancient Highway, from where it leaves the tarmac road to the right of the 11th hole until it re-joins the tarmac road to the right of the 13th hole, is an immovable obstruction and free relief may be obtained under Rule 16.1. Any posts, white stones or sleepers which are located on, or immediately adjacent to, this section of the Ancient Highway are also immovable obstructions. The Ancient Highway and the posts, stones and sleepers (as defined above) are treated as a single Abnormal Course Condition when taking relief under Rule 16.1b.
Penalty Areas (Rule 17)
Penalty Areas are defined by red or yellow stakes and / or red or yellow lines.
The sea wall beyond the waterline is a red penalty area.
Status of Areas of Sand
The prepared areas of sand located between the tees and fairway at the 3rd, 5th, 11th, 14th, 17th, and 18th holes, and the area of sand in the rough between the 3rd and 17th fairways, are part of the general area and not bunkers.
At Royal St George’s Golf Club
Road behind 18th Green
The road is an integral object and not an obstruction – free relief is not available under Rule 16.1.
Penalty Areas (Rule 17)
The ditch crossing the 14th hole known as the Suez Canal is a yellow penalty area.
The ditch to the right of the 1st hole and adjacent to the boundary fence is a red penalty area.
Out of Bounds (Rule 18.2)
Beyond all boundary stakes and fences around the course is out of bounds. Any such stakes or fences are boundary objects.
- Terms of Competition
The following Terms of Competition, together with any additions or amendments as published by the PSGS on the entry form, webpage on halfordhewitt.org, or at the golf course, have been adopted by the Committee for the purposes of Rule 1.3 in relation to the Halford Hewitt Cup.
- Form of Competition
The Halford Hewitt Cup is an event for teams of 10 players. The form of play is scratch foursomes matchplay with each match consisting of five separate foursomes matches. If the outcome of the team match is not yet known and any match finishes all square after 18 holes, that match will continue from the first tee until one side wins a hole.
PENALTY FOR BREACH: Disqualification of both sides for that round.
- Eligibility
Players must meet the eligibility provisions established in the instructions issued to team captains and published on the webpage on halfordhewitt.org.
- Order of Play and Time of Starting (Rule 5.3)
The team and chosen order of play must be presented by the team captain or his representative to the Secretary’s office not less than 30 minutes before the match is due to commence. Under no circumstances will the team order of play or pairings be accepted over the telephone.
The time of starting for the first game of each match is shown on the Green Drawcard. Subsequent games are expected to start at 7 minute intervals. The player striking the tee shot at the 1st hole must present themselves to the Starter at the 1st tee 5 minutes prior to the time of starting. His / Her partner may wait in a position where the tee shot might be expected to finish, however they must be present on or near to the 1st hole when the tee shot is struck.
- Pace of Play (Rule 5.6)
Players must play without unreasonable delay: play at a prompt pace and keep up with the group in front. Try not to take more than 40 seconds to make any stroke. By agreement between the sides, it is possible to play out of turn to save time. The maximum time allotted for the completion of 9 holes is 1 hour 30 minutes. Pace of Play Marshalls will patrol the course to identify gaps in play and encourage competitors to catch up. Marshalls are to be treated with respect and every effort is to be made to comply with their requests.
- Provisional Ball (Rule 18.3)
A player who has gone forward to a position where he might expect his / her partner’s shot to finish may return to the tee to play a provisional ball under Rule 18.3. However the three-minute period for search for the original ball commences as soon as his / her partner or either of their caddies begins to search for it.
- Suspension of Play Due to a Dangerous Situation (Rule 5.7b(1))
A suspension of play for a dangerous situation will be signalled by a single prolonged note of a horn. All other suspensions will be signalled by three consecutive short notes of a horn repeated. In either case, resumption of play will be signalled by two short notes of a horn, repeated.
- Practice (Rule 5.2a)
Rule 5.2a is modified in this way:
On the day when a player is due to compete, a player must not practise on either competition course before or between rounds.
PENALTY FOR BREACH:
- Penalty for first breach: General Penalty (applied to the player’s side’s first hole)
- Penalty for second breach: Disqualification for that round
- Advice (Rule 24.4)
Each team may name one advice giver whom players on the team may ask for advice and receive advice from during the round. The team must identify the advice giver to the Committee before any player on the team begins his or her round. The advice giver has the same status as a member of the side in relation to each member of his or her team.
The advice giver must not point out a line of play or walk on the putting green when the ball of a team player lies on the putting green.
- Transportation
During a round, a player or caddie must not ride on any form of motorised transportation except as authorised or later approved by the Committee.
A player who will play, or has played, under penalty of stroke and distance is always authorised to ride on motorised transportation should a marshal be on hand.
PENALTY FOR BREACH: The player gets the general penalty for each hole during which there was a breach. If the breach occurs between the play of two holes, it applies to the next hole.
- Result of Match
The result of a match is final when it has been recorded in the Secretary’s office of the golf club where the match was held.
The Committee of the Public Schools’ Golfing Society
March 2022
