What You Need to Know ...

Membership:

Only "members" of the Hobbits Glen Senior Golf Association may participate in HGSGA events. With the exception of the annual guest outing, guests are not permitted. In order to be a HGSGA member you must have:

One of the following types of CA memberships; 7-day golf; 5-day golf, golf, fit and play: orfit and play.
Paid a handicap fee to Hobbit’s Glen for current year (fee waived for 7-day golf, 5- day golf, and golf fit and play members)
Paid dues to HGSGA for current year
Attained the age of 50.

Rules:

With the exception of the local rules stated below, USGA rules will apply throughout the entire season. The officers reserve the right to amend rules as conditions require and inform players prior to the start of the round. As of January 1, 2019, there are a number of USGA rule changes. Please familiarize yourself with these changes. They can be found by clicking here.

Local Rules (most of the HGSGA local rules are identical to those established by Hobbits Glen Golf Club. When in conflict the HGSGA local rules will prevail)

On hole #10: any drive lost to the right of the cart path (no matter how far) shall be deemed lost in a penalty area. The drop area will be within two club lengths behind the red penalty stakes in the right rough next to the small pond with a one stroke penalty
On hole #11: the drop area for the penalty area is the green tee unless a drop area has been established by a white circle. You must hit within two club lengths behind the green tee or retee and take stroke and distance Either way you will be hitting 3.
Out of Bounds or a Lost Ball; instead of stroke and distance, a new local rule allows the option of dropping a ball in the general vicinity of where the original was lost or went out of bounds, including within two club lengths inside the nearest fairway area as long as the drop is no closer to the hole. There is a two-stroke penalty. This option is not available if you have already hit a provisional or you are certain that your ball has landed in a penalty area. Once this option is taken, any lost ball subsequently found cannot be played. It is important that all members familiarize themselves with this new local rule. Click here to see a video on this rule.
Flower/Tree Bed: For the following locations free drop as close as possible to where the ball lies - no closer to the hole: Hole 1 - flower bed behind the green. Hole 3 - flower/tree bed behind the green. Hole 11 - lower flower beds (below the lower stone wall) to the left and right of green, Hole 17 - flower/tree bed to the right of the path by the green.
High Grass Penalty Areas: Even if not marked, the following high grass areas are considered red penalty areas: High grass between holes 13 and 18. High grass area between hole 14 tee box hole 18 fairway. High grass area between hole 16 tee box and hole 17 fairway. High grass area between holes 6 and 7.
Staked Trees: If a staked tree interferes with a player's stance or the area of his intended swing, the ball may be lifted, without penalty, and dropped at the nearest point of relief no closer to the hole. There is no relief for intended ball flight path.
Ground Under Repair: Any area encircled by a white line is considered ground under repair. A ball landing in this area may be lifted without penalty and dropped at the nearest point of relief no closer to the hole.

Other USGA Golf Rules that we want to emphasize:

No putts may be conceded in individual medal play. No gimmes! In team play, match play, Stableford, and other similar formats, players are encouraged to pick up and estimate their score when their score will not be used in the competition.
Balls will be played down where they rest unless an alternative announcement is made prior to the beginning of the round.
A ball hit in a penalty area, requires a stroke penalty. There are various options related to where the next shot can be played. All members should familiarize themselves with these options and abide by them. Click here to see a video related to these options
Golfers have three minutes to look for a ball. Please follow this rule and keep pace.
Golfers are encouraged to download the USGA Rules of Golf App on their phone and use it when needed.
All HGSGA events will be played from the gold tees unless otherwise announced prior to the start of play.

Scoring and Prizes -Thursday League Play;

Score cards should reflect the actual gross score (not net or the equitable stroke control score) for each hole, each nine and the 18 hole total. A scorecard becomes official after golfers in the foursome discuss and verify the scores and at least one golfer signs and submits the card to the Pro Shop. The scorecard should be submitted before golfers go to the parking lot.

This year we will be encouraging each foursome to utilize the Golf Genius Scoring app that is available on your phone or other mobile devise. The use of the app has multiple advantages. Golfers will be able to see in real time how they are doing in comparison to the field. Scorekeepers will have less data to input, saving time in producing weekly results, and finally, scores will be added correctly. If you use the app, we ask that you verify that the scores on the app and the paper scorecard are identical prior to submitting the scorecard to the Pro Shop. Once you have the app on your phone, it is very easy to use.

Scorekeepers will enter scores for each hole into Golf Genius or will double check each card with the scores entered via the Golf Genius app. Golf Genius will automatically take into account your handicap and produce a net score. Prizes will be awarded for low gross scores and low net scores. The number of prizes will correlate to the number of golfers participating in a given event.

Typically, all scores for Thursday league play will be automatically posted to your MSGA handicap via Golf Genius. Therefore, do not post your score unless you are notified to do so.

Each golfer will contribute $5 to the prize pool when he checks-in at the Pro Shop. Prize pool money will be used to purchase Columbia Association gift cards. Weekly results will be emailed on Thursday evening and weekly winners can pick up their gift cards in the Pro Shop anytime from Friday on. Gift cards are electronically tagged to the specific golfer and cannot be used by others.

Pace of Play:

Slow play by one golfer can wreck a great day of golf for the entire field. This year we will be placing a great deal of emphasis on making sure each foursome keeps pace. We have modified our schedule to include more formats that will assist us in meeting our goal. New USGA rules to speed up play include:

Reducing the time allowed to search for a ball from 5 to 3 minutes
Requiring a player to hit their shot within 40 seconds after arriving at his ball (most of us do it in under 30 seconds)
Allowing clubs to implement a maximum score policy
Allowing golfers to putt with the pin in place
Encouraging golfers to play out of turn as long as it can be done safely (ready golf)

Probably the most frustrating situation is when three appropriately paced golfers are slowed by one extremely slow player. This situation not only backs up the course, it also requires the other three golfers to rush their game in order to offset the slowness of the one player. We encourage our members to politely address the situation with the slow player by requesting compliance with the rules and providing other constructive suggestions to speed up play. If these efforts do not produce the desired result, please alert President, Mac Ramsey, of the situation after the round is played. Mac will discuss the situation with the other officers and appropriate action will be taken.

We will continue to require the prompt submission of scorecards. Specifically, a foursome will be disqualified from prize
money if their scorecard is turned in more than 15 minutes after the scorecard of the preceeding team. With this is mind, please submit your scorecard before taking your clubs to your car.

Finally, if your pace of play is slowed due to a physical or health condition, please alert Lew Shipp and he will take your situation into account when establishing foursomes and starting tee positions.

In short, each foursome should complete their round in at least 4 hours and 30 minutes. This time is extended to 4 hours and 45 minutes when the cart-path-only is in effect. We ask that each member keep these goals in mind throughout the season.

HGSGA Tournaments:

We have two HGSGA Championship Tournaments this year, one for medal play (or stroke play) and one for match play. As formats are very different, they will run completely independent of each other. HGSGA members may enter one, both, or neither of the competitions. Members must have an established handicap to participate.

Championship Series (medal play)

This tournament is runs on six separate days beginning in April and ending in October
The tournament will include both net and gross competitions. Scores will be based upon the player's best 4 scores. Golfers who play 3 or less times will not be eligible for Championship Series prizes but are welcomed to play in the tournament and compete for daily prizes.
Scores must be entered as “tournament” rounds when posting handicap.
Ties will result in a play-off in October.
The HGSGA Local Rules will be in force for this competition.
All disputes must be submitted to the tournament coordinator, Lew Shipp who has sole authority in resolving them.
Rain dates will be scheduled, but if all 6 dates cannot be held by October 31, the best 4 of 5 scores will be used.
Prize money will be awarded for net first, second, and third places and gross first, second and third places

 Match Play Championship

Only one Thursday is dedicated to this competition. If you miss this Thursday you will have two weeks to play your match. Winners who are moving forward in the tournament will need to schedule their matches at their own convenience.
Handicaps will be used with the lower handicap receiving a zero and the higher handicap being given strokes according to the differential. Degree of difficulty of holes will be determined by the scorecard designation from the white tees.
The winner of each match will be determined by whichever golfer wins the most holes out of 18. If the match is tied after 18 holes, the match continues until someone wins a hole. Handicaps remain in effect during such play-offs.
All disputes must be submitted to the tournament coordinator, Randy Maddox, who has sole authority in resolving them.
Prize money will be awarded first, second and third place.

Maryland Interclub Senior Golf Association Events (MISGA)

Belonging to MISGA gives us the opportunity to go to other clubs, to enjoy their facilities and to make new friends. The MISGA goal is to provide a friendly but still competitive round of golf. Members from different participating clubs play together in teams. Awards are for low net score only. Thus it is not Hobbit’s against “them” but truly a Mixer. In addition to the Mixers, MISGA also sponsors various tournaments and golf vacation outings. At all MISGA events, both home and away, you must use a power cart. You must also attend the luncheon which provides the setting to present awards, but more importantly, provides the opportunity for additional camaraderie. HGSGA pays a MISGA fee for each of its members. This fee is covered through your HGSGA dues.

Preparing for Mixers requires interclub coordination. Your cooperation is very important for the event to be successful. The sign-up procedures and conditions that follow will not only make the task easier for the MISGA Representatives but will additionally make your golfing day more pleasant.

The sign-up sheet for each MISGA event will be posted on the HGSGA SignUp Genius page - click here.
Some “away” clubs limit the number of visiting players. In such events, participants will be selected in the order in which they sign up. Players who sign up, but are beyond the “away club” specified limit, will be designated as alternates who will then be selected in order of sign-up should slots open because of drop-outs or notification of additional slots granted.
If you sign up and then learn that you cannot play, it is your responsibility to notify the host club’s pro shop as early as possible. . A “no show” creates delays, additional work, and even discontent. Please be considerate. In some cases you may be billed for events that you did not give proper notice.
Home MISGA events start at 9:00 AM. Remember that the host club establishes its day and starting time, so for away events make sure you check the schedule. Donuts and coffee are served before the starting time at all MISGA events so come early, check in, loosen up, have some coffee, a donut and some conversation.
Some MISGA clubs have strict policy on dress code and don’t allow cargo shorts to be worn on their course.
Most events require payment fees to be made in cash only.
You are required to post your score unless the home club notifies you that they will do so.

Walkers:

Walkers are welcome during Thursday League Play. Be sure to indicate you are a walker in the "comment" section when you signup on SignUpGenius. We will attempt to accommodate walkers through tee and foursome assignments. We ask that golfers riding in carts offer walkers a "lift" to and from the start and finish holes as well as between the 18th green and the 1st tee. Your support of our "two-footed troopers" will be greatly appreciated!

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