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League Rules

AHMGA RULES OF PARTICIPATION

TUESDAY NIGHT MEN’S LEAGUE

  1. ALL PARTICIPANTS MEMBERSHIP DUES MUST BE PAID BY THE COMPLETION OF THE FIRST NIGHT OF LEAGUE PLAY BY THAT INDIVIDUAL, INCLUDING SUBSTITUTES. VIOLATIONS OF THIS RULE WILL RESULT IN FORFEITURE OF THE MATCH.
  2. PLAY SHALL COMMENCE AT THE TIME SET BY THE ASSOCIATION SECRETARY. SOME LEEWAY SHALL BE GIVEN TO LATE ARRIVALS. A MATCH MAY BE JOINED ONCE PLAY HAS BEGUN UP UNTIL THE THIRD TEE. THE PLAYER MUST BE ON TEAM ROSTER. NO SUBS MAY JOIN THE MATCH AFTER TEAM HAS LEFT THEIR FIRST TEE BOX.
  3. ALL SCORES SHALL BE KEPT ON THE SCORECARD PROVIDED. ALL SCORE CARDS MUST HAVE SCORES (ACTUAL & MAX) , TEAM NAME, PLAYER NAME, PLAYER NUMBER, AND ATTEST SIGNATURES. ALL INDIVIDUALS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR TURNING IN CORRECT SCORECARDS. THE HOME TEAM IS SIMPLY THE GUARDIAN OF THE CARDS FOR THAT SPECIFIC NIGHT AND IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR INDIVIDUAL SCORES. INCORRECT SCORE CARDS OR INCOMPLETE SCORECARDS WILL COST EACH INDIVIDUAL INFRACTION –1 (MINUS ONE) TEAM POINT PER INCIDENT. (NO MORE THAN ONE POINT PER EVENT).
  4. THE HOME TEAM, FIRST TEAM LISTED ON THE SCHEDULE, IS RESPONSIBLE FOR PICKING UP AND SIGNING OUT (& SIGNING IN) THE SCORECARDS AND RETURNING THEM TO THE CLUB HOUSE AT THE END OF LEAGUE PLAY THAT NIGHT. VIOLATIONS OF THESE RULES WILL RESULT IN FORFEITURE OF ONE TEAM POINT BY THE HOME TEAM FOR EACH INFRACTION. IF CARDS ARE NOT RETURNED THEN THE HOME TEAM FORFEITS ALL POINTS FROM THAT MATCH AND AWAY TEAM GETS 20 TEAM POINTS.
  5.  TEAM MEMBERSHIP IS CLOSED AFTER 12 (TWELVE) WEEKS OF LEAGUE PLAY.  ANY ADDITIONS, TO A TEAM MUST FIRST BE APPROVED BY THE PLAY RULING COMMITTEE. VIOLATION OF THIS RULE WILL RESULT IN FORFEITURE OF THE MATCH INVOLVED. (ANYONE CAN BECOME A SUBSTITUTE AT ANY TIME).
  6.  TEAM PARTICIPATION IS PARAMOUNT. ANY TEAM THAT FAILS TO HAVE AT LEAST 3 (THREE) AHMGA MEMBERS SHOW ON A NIGHT OF LEAGUE PLAY IS ON PROBATION. ANY TEAM ON PROBATION THAT FAILS TO FIELD A TEAM OF AT LEAST THREE PLAYERS WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR NEXT YEARS LOTTERY ONLY. ALL SCHEDULED EVENTS QUALIFY.
  7.  ***A FORFEIT SHALL BE HANDLED AS FOLLOWS: ***  THE PLAYER FORFEITING IS GIVEN ZERO POINTS, THE OPPONENT SHALL BE GIVEN (3) THREE POINTS, THE NET POINT AND TWO POINTS FOR THE OPPONENT NOT SHOWING UP; THEN HIS TEST IS PLAYING AGAINST PAR. WITH HIS TEST BEING “PAR”. USING HIS HANDICAP, IF HE EQUALS PAR (WITH HANDICAP) THEN HE EARNS ½ (ONE HALF) POINT. IF HE SHOOTS BOGIE OR HIGHER HE GETS O (ZERO) POINTS FOR THE HOLE. IF HE SHOOTS BETTER THAN PAR WITH HANDICAP, THEN THE PLAYER GETS 1 (ONE) POINT. MAXIMUM OF TEN (10) POINTS.
  8. IN THE PLAYOFFS ONLY LISTED MEMBERS OF A TEAM MAY PLAY ON THAT TEAMS BEHALF. PARTICIPATING PLAYERS MUST HAVE NO LESS THAN 5 (FIVE) ATTESTED SCORES FROM LEAGUE PLAY USED IN COMPUTING THEIR HANDICAP. ANY VIOLATIONS OF THIS RULE SHALL RESULT IN ELIMINATION OF THE VIOLATING TEAM FROM THE PLAYOFFS.
  9. THE HANDICAP OF PLAYERS IN THE LEAGUE SHALL BE HANDLED AS FOLLOWS: SUBTRACT PAR FROM THE AVERAGE OF THE LAST 10 of 15 (TEN of FIFTEEN) SCORES AND MULTIPLY BY 80% PLUS USGA FORMULA (DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GROSS AND NET, COURSE SLOPE AND RATING) TO GET THE HANDICAP. (FORMULA IS IN THE HANDICAP BOOK HANGING FROM THE BULLETIN BOARD & ON THIS SITE CLICK HERE).
  10. ANY CONTESTED TEAM SLOT THAT HAS MORE THAN ONE APPLICATION SHALL BE GIVEN TO THE TEAM WHOSE APPLICATION CONTAINS THE LARGER NUMBER OF MEMBERS WHO WERE ON THE TEAM THE PREVIOUS YEAR. (REFER TO AMENDMENT 2 IN OUR CONSTITUTION).
  11. THE BOARD OF DIRECTOR S SHALL IN NO WAY MEDIATE DISAGREEMENTS AMONG MEMBERS OF A TEAM. THIS INCLUDES DISTRIBUTION OF MONIES/AWARDS WON DURING LEAGUE PLAY OR TOURNAMENTS.
  12. DISPUTES ARISING FROM LEAGUE STRUCTURE SHALL BE HANDLED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. DISPUTES INVOLVING COURSE PLAY SHALL BE HANDLED BY THE PLAY RULING COMMITTEE.
  13. EACH PLAYER SHOULD ENCOURAGE THAT HIS OPPONENT HAS EITHER A SEASON PASS OR A GREENS FEE RECEIPT ENTITLING THAT PERSON TO PLAY GOLF ON THE EVENING OF THE MATCH. ANY PLAYER WHO DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENT OF HAVING IN HIS POSSESSION A GREENS FEE RECEIPT OR A SEASONS PASS IS A FORFEIT FOR THAT EVENINGS MATCH. ETHICS OUTLINED BELOW.
  14. A 5TH (FIFTH) MAN MAY PLAY IN REGULATION LEAGUE PLAY BUT, IF A 5TH MAN WANTS TO PLAY HE SHOULD MAKE HIMSELF AVAILABLE AS A SUBSTITUTE FIRST AND THEN IF NOT SELECTED TO BE A SUBSTITUTE (CAN NOT SUB AGAINST HIS OWN TEAM), MAY PLAY ALONG IN REGULATION LEAGUE PLAY. THE 5TH MAN ALWAYS PLAYS LAST AND MAY NOT BE USED TO SHOW TEAM MATES PUTTING LINES OR WINDAGE.
  15. HOWEVER, IF A GROUP USING A 5TH (FIFTH) MAN FALLS BEHIND THE 5TH (FIFTH) MAN MUST PICK UP UNTIL THAT GROUP IS BACK IN POSITION. ALSO, A 5TH (FIFTH) MAN WILL NOT BE GIVEN ANY TIME TO LOOK FOR A LOST BALL AND NO ONE WILL BE ALLOWED TO ASSIST. THE 5TH (FIFTH) MAN WILL ONLY PUTT ONCE AND THEN PICK UP. THE 5TH (FIFTH) MAN MAY NOT HOLD UP PLAY. IN NO WAY SHALL MORE THAN 5 (FIVE) PLAYERS PLAY.  ANY VIOLATION OF THIS RULE CAN CAUSE A TEAM TO FORFEIT THE MATCH.
  16. READY GOLF – WHEN YOU GET TO YOUR BALL AND ARE READY TO HIT, GO AHEAD AND HIT YOUR BALL. THERE IS NO NEED TO WAIT FOR SOMEONE OFF TO THE SIDE AND SLIGHTLY BEHIND YOU TO HIT FIRST.
  17. IN AN EFFORT TO SPEED-UP PLAY ON THE GOLF COURSE DURING LEAGUE PLAY, NO MORE THAN 3 (THREE) MINUTES CAN BE USED TO ATTEMPT TO LOCATE A LOST BALL. BALLS LOST, OUT OF BOUNDS OR IN THE WATER HAZARDS ON ANY SHOT, INCLUDING THE TEE SHOT, WILL BE DROPPED ANYWHERE ALONG THE “LINE OF FLIGHT”, TO BE AGREED ON BY BOTH PLAYERS ! AFTER BEING INFORMED THAT TIME IS UP, THE PLAYER MUST DROP A BALL AND CONTINUE PLAY OR FORFEIT THE HOLE! 3 (THREE) MINUTES AND MOVE ALONG RULE SHOULD BE ENFORCED!.  IN EACH INSTANCE – A ONE STROKE PENALTY
  18. EACH TEAM WILL BE LIMITED TO A 12 (TWELVE) MAN ROSTER, YET MAINTAIN A 6 (SIX) MAN ROSTER.
  19. RAIN-OUTS – DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER, AS LONG AS THE COURSE IS OPEN THERE WILL BE LEAGUE PLAY. COMPLETION OF 5 (FIVE) HOLES CONSTITUTES A COMPLETED MATCH WHEN WEATHER IS A FACTOR .
  20. LIGHTNING OR SEVERE WEATHER – EXCESSIVE RAIN, THUNDER OR WIND STORMS, EXTREME HEAT, ETC.  IF A PERSON FEARS FOR THEIR SAFETY (ie HEALTH including injury or illness), THEY MAY LEAVE THE PLAYING FIELD AT ANY TIME DURING THE COURSE OF PLAY, AND RETURN TO THE CLUB HOUSE (Home due to illness or injury). THE PLAYER LEAVING THE FIELD IS NOT GOING TO BE FORCED TO RETURN TO THE MATCH IF THAT PERSON FEELS THREATENED BY THE WEATHER. HOWEVER, IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF SAID PLAYER TO WAIT IN THE CLUBHOUSE (unless it is illness or injury) UNTIL PLAY IS SUSPENDED OR THE OTHER PLAYER RETURNS AND SIGNS THE SCORE CARD. THE PLAYER THAT LEAVES WILL GIVEN NO SCORE FROM THE TIME THAT PLAYER LEAVES THE PLAYING FIELD, THE REMAINING PLAYER WILL PLAY HIS HANDICAP & RECEIVE THE NET POINT. NO PENALTIES WILL RESULT IF A PLAYER FEELS IN DANGER  NO DEBATE UNLESS THERE IS CLEAR ABUSE OF RULE!! ANY TEAMS LEAVING THE FIELD WILL BE SUBJECT TO RECEIVING ONLY THE POINT TOTAL THEY HAD ACHIEVED PRIOR TO LEAVING!
  21. IN THE INTEREST OF SAFETY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS , REQUEST THAT PLAYERS NOT HAVE PERSONS ACCOMPANY THEM DURING THEIR LEAGUE PLAY. THOSE WHO CHOOSE TO IGNORE THIS REQUEST SHALL BE SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SAFETY AND CONDUCT OF THEIR GUEST.

 

LOCAL COURSE RULES

    1. HOLE #1 BALL IN DRAINAGE DITCH ON LEFT SIDE OF FAIRWAY: NEAREST RELIEF NO NEARER TO THE HOLE, NO PENALTY.
    2. HOLE #2 FENCE ON RIGHT SIDE OF FAIRWAY: BALL OVER THE FENCE IS OB. BALL UP AGAINST THE FENCE MUST BE PLAYED WHERE IT LIES OR A ONE STROKE PENALTY FOR RELIEF (DROP ONE CLUB LENGTH FROM TREE LINE IN FAIRWAY NO CLOSER TO HOLE) . BALL IN SAND PILE WILL BE GIVEN A FREE DROP NO CLOSER TO THE HOLE.
    3. HOLE #3 & #8 BALL BEHIND BACKSTOP DIVIDING #8 GREEN AND # 3 TEE BOX: (Both holes get relief) NEAREST RELIEF NO CLOSER TO THE HOLE, NO PENALTY.
    4. HOLE # 5 BALL BEHIND WHITE BUILDING; FENCE AT THE TOP OF THE HILL, ON THE ROAD, ON THE GRAVEL OR ON THE CART PATH: NEAREST RELIEF NO CLOSER TO THE HOLE, NO PENALTY.
    5. HOLE # 6 LATERAL HAZARD (NO LONGER OUT OF BOUNDS) ALSO, ALL BARK CHIPS ON THE FRONT NINE ARE CONSIDERED GROUND UNDER REPAIR.
    6. HOLE# 7 & 8 WATER IS A LATERAL HAZARD; NEAREST RELIEF NO CLOSER TO THE HOLE (1) -ONE STROKE PENALTY. .
    7. HOLE # 9 WATER IS LATERAL HAZARD; DRIVING RANGE IS DESIGNATED OB. ALL BALLS LANDING ON ROAD, PARKING LOT WILL TAKE NEAREST RELIEF (NO PENALTY). BALL LANDING ON PRACTICE PUTTING AREA BEHIND THE GREEN; NEAREST RELIEF NO CLOSER TO THE HOLE.(DO NOT HIT OFF OF THE PRACTICE GREEN FOR ANY REASON).
    8. #9 GREEN. BECAUSE OF THE POOR CONDITION (SLOPE) OF #9 GREEN WE HAVE INSTITUTED A 3 (THREE) STROKE RULE FOR THAT GREEN DURING LEAGUE PLAY! ONCE YOU ARE ON THE GREEN YOU WILL HAVE 3 (THREE) STROKES TO GET INTO THE HOLE NO STROKES GIVEN UNLESS IN GIMMIE RANGE. NO MORE THAN 3 (THREE) STROKES WILL BE COUNTED ONCE ON THE GREEN.
    9. HOLE # 11 BALL HITTING POLES, GUY WIRES & HIGH TENSION WIRES; PLAYER MUST HIT HIS BALL AGAIN WITH NO PENALTY.
    10. HOLE # 12 BALLS OUT OF BOUNDS, THE TEE SHOT, WILL BE DROPPED IN THE DESIGNATED DROP AREA (ANYWHERE ON THE FLAT AREA ABOVE THE BUNKER) – 1 (ONE) STROKE PENALTY.
    11. HOLE # 15 BALL IN WATER; LATERAL HAZARD 1 (ONE) STROKE PENALTY NEAREST RELIEF NO NEARER TO THE HOLE.
    12. HOLE # 17 DESIGNATED FAIRWAY ENDS AT THE FRONT OF THE BUNKERS, BALL HIT OVER THE BACK SIDE OF THE GREEN WILL BE DROPPED IN THE DESIGNATED DROP AREA, ONE STROKE PENALTY. (BETWEEN THE TWO BUNKERS ON THE LEFT (facing the green) IN FRONT OF THE ROPES CLOSEST TO THE DESIGNATED END OF THE FAIRWAY).
    13. PAR THREES: #8 ,#13 & # 15: NO DESIGNATED FAIRWAY THEREFORE YOU CANNOT IMPROVE YOUR LIE (PER WINTER RULE).

WINTER RULES:

    1. YOU CAN IMPROVE YOUR LIE IN YOUR OWN FAIRWAY ONLY.
    2. WINTER RULE ENDS ON 15 MAY EACH SEASON.

ROPED AREAS:

    1. AREA ROPED IS A NO CART AREA. AREA IS NOT CONSIDERED FAIRWAY AND YOU CANNOT IMPROVE YOUR LIE (PER WINTER RULE).

GROUNDING CLUBS:

    1. GROUNDING YOUR CLUBS IN A GRASS BUNKER IS NOT A PENALTY. GRASS BUNKERS ARE NOT HAZARDS AND ARE NOT TREATED THE SAME AS SAND BUNKERS. ALL STAKED AREAS ARE HAZARDS AND YOU MAY NOT GROUND YOUR CLUB IN THOSE AREAS.

LOCAL RULE:

    1. ANY BALL FOUND IN BARK CHIPS MAY BE DROPPED WITHOUT PENALTY!(ROOTS & ROCKS MAY BE HIDDEN FROM VIEW). ANYONE CAUGHT SPITTING SUNFLOWER SEEDS ON THE GREENS WILL BE SUBJECT TO PENALTY AND EXPULSION FROM THE LEAGUE!

Anyone caught not paying green fees or violating AHMGA policy is subject to termination from the league with no refund of fees paid. Anyone caught cheating, depending on the evidence presented, is subject to forfeiture of match regardless of the score.

If this is a recurring problem, the member may be subject to termination from the league with no refund of fees paid. The board by vote, can elect to terminate a member at will, depending on the evidence presented, if that member is proven to be a recurring violator of the rules or demonstrates conduct that is considered harmful to the league or its image.

All subject to appeal process by written letter to the board requesting an additional hearing. May be declined.