Rules and Regulations

Purpose

It shall be the purpose of the Happy Hookers Golf Club to bring together a group of  golfers who share a common love of the game of golf, who will compete in friendly competition for various prizes and/or trophies in tournament play.   The type and length of tournaments will be at the discretion of the Steering Committee under the direction of the Director.

Officers and Committees

The officers of the Happy Hookers Golf Club will consist of a Director and a Steering Committee.

Duties of the Director

  1. Shall act as the presiding officer at steering committee meetings.
  2. Shall oversee the overall governing of the Club and shall be responsible for the selection of the Steering Committee.
  3. Shall act as the presiding officer at all committee meetings and he shall have a vote in committee decisions.
  4. Shall be responsible for the signing of all checks written for the disbursement of funds.
  5. Shall be responsible for the collection of all dues and assessments.
  6. Shall be responsible for the maintenance of the financial records.
  7. Shall be responsible for payment to Club hosting our tournament.
  8. Shall maintain a checking account in the name of the Club.
  9. Shall hold no less than four (4) meetings with the Steering Committee per year.

Tournament Committee

  1. Shall be composed of Director and may be assisted by members of the Steering Committee.
  2. Shall be responsible for the selection of the golf courses to be played, the types of tourneys (tee times, shotgun, etc.) and the starting times.
  3. Shall act to settle disputes arising from infractions during play.
  4. Shall determine whether summer or winter rules are the order of the day.  Summer rules means that the ball may not be touched anywhere.  Violation results in a 2-stroke penalty.
  5. Shall be responsible for the selection of prizes, trophies and awards to be made and procurement of same.

Membership

Number of Members
The club is limited to a total membership of 250 active golfers.

Selection of New Members & New Member Rules
The name of a prospective new member shall be submitted by a member in good standing.  A prospective new member must play three (3) rounds of golf and pay the appropriate dues to be accepted. Upon acceptance, he or she will be given a handicap based upon the lowest of the two of the three rounds. Upon completion of five (5) rounds, a USGA handicap will be given.

New members cannot be given a handicap. Thus they will be unable to compete for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place prizes. They must play a minimum of three (3) rounds. New members are encouraged to play every round so that they may become eligible for the above mentioned prizes as quickly as possible. The USGA approved handicaps are computed by a member of the Steering Committee. All handicaps remain stationary during all the course of a tournament although the handicaps are computed on a weekly basis.

Suspension or Loss of Membership
Members of this organization are not to take their membership for granted. Under certain circumstances, a member may lose his right to participate in this golf club.

  1. Failure to abide by Club rules and golf rules.
  2. Dishonesty.
  3. Actions detrimental to the Club, i.e. throwing clubs, endangering the people around you and/or the property of the golf course; verbally abusing any Club or golf course management; and excessive use of foul language.
  4. Nonpayment of dues.

A member who is in danger of suspension or disqualification shall receive a friendly warning. If the situation persists, his name will be submitted to the Steering Committee and they, in turn, will make the necessary recommendations. Each case will be judged on its individual merits and the member in question shall have the right to be heard by the Steering Committee. The final word shall rest in a vote by the Committee. A member who loses his membership shall have his dues prorated and that portion not used will be returned to him.

Member Responsibility
The Happy Hookers Golf Club accepts no responsibility for any actions committed by any member. Also, the Happy Hookers cannot be held liable for any monetary losses or damages sustained by a member or guest.

Player Conduct and Duties During Tournament

  1. Familiarize yourselves with the rules and etiquette of golf, as well as local and Club rules.
  2. Appear at the golf course one half (1/2) hour before tee time, ready to go.
  3. Report the results of each round of play by submitting a scorecard. Add up the scores and verify them before you turn them in. Submission of an improperly added card is grounds for disqualification. All foursomes should keep two (2) scorecards to compare for accuracy.
  4. Use last names on the scorecards since there are several members with the same first names.
  5. It is your responsibility to turn in your score, not your playing partner!
  6. All scores must be turned in. Picking up on a hole is discouraged. If a member chooses to pick up, he will be disqualified from 1st, 2nd and 3rd place prizes.
  7. Observe the rules, the etiquette of the game and be sportsmanlike in all your actions. A very important part of the etiquette of the game is to play without unnecessary delays. Limit your conversations to those interludes where you must wait for play to proceed.
  8. Do not go ahead of people who have not hit yet. A golf ball can be lethal if you hit someone. Do not hit into the group in front of you.
  9. Do not distract your playing partners by talking when they are trying to concentrate on hitting the ball. Do not rattle coins or keys in your pockets when someone is trying to putt.
  10. Do not enter match-play tournaments or partner-type tournaments unless you can play the whole tournament.
  11. Count all of your strokes and be honest. Habitual dishonesty can result in the loss of your privilege of belonging to the Club.
  12. Foursomes will be determined by the members themselves and/or the Director. Either way is okay.

General Rules Regarding Tournaments

  1. USGA rules always apply; however, local rules may take precedence.
  2. All protests and/or complaints must be registered with the Director on the day of play. He and the committee will rule on the protest and a decision made before the next playing date. Please do not go to the management of the club we are playing at, no matter what the complaint. We will handle our own problems.
  3. Absenteeism, where possible, should be avoided. Absenteeism from any round in a tournament disqualifies you. Chronic absenteeism may be a cause for forfeiture of membership.
  4. Guests are always welcome. However, if you bring a guest, you must play with him and introduce him to our type of play and rules.
  5. The Tournament Committee and/or Director will decide whether winter or summer rules are in effect.
  6. American size ball only allowed.
  7. Arriving late for a tournament may disqualify you.
  8. Any member that gets a hole-in-one shall be awarded whatever moneys are in the hole-in-one kitty, if they have contributed $5.00 toward the kitty.
  9. Out-of-bounds shots result in loss of stroke and distance. If you are in doubt, hit a provisional ball. If the first ball is in play, you must play it–no matter where the second ball went.
  10. Lost ball: same rule as out-of-bounds.
  11. No “gimmee” putts. Putt everything out! If you go to mark a ball is so close to the hole that the coin keeps falling into the cup, that’s a gimmee.
  12. Dues are set by a vote of the Steering Committee and are to be paid prior to January 1st of each year. Anyone not having paid his dues is ineligible to participate for prizes and will be considered a guest and guest rules will apply.

Rainout Policy

Tee Time Tournaments
At least nine (9) holes played by all players, prizes will be awarded using 1/2 of handicap. (Half strokes will be used). Prizes on back nine will not be awarded but carried over to next tournament. Skins will be awarded so be sure to turn your scores in. It’s your responsibility. Any scores turned in after prizes have been awarded are void!

Shotgun Tournaments
Regardless of holes played no prizes will be awarded and tournament will be canceled. Prize fund will be carried to next tournament. The majority of golf courses will give a raincheck or nine hole adjustment if no more than nine (9) holes are played. If you play 10 or more holes, do not expect an adjustment.

Rules and Golf Outing Changes

We will play by USGA rules except for the following:

  1. All putts shall be putted out whether in Medal or Match play (If both parties agree on the first tee to just play the match, and no medal, putts may be given.
  2. Sand Traps: If your ball lands in a footprint, you may, without penalty, lift, rake, and place, when agreed to by one member of your playing group.
  3. No player shall have in his bag more than 14 clubs. If on the first tee the player discovers and extra club, he shall declare said club (clubs) out of play to his playing group. (Penalty: 2 stroke penalty not to exceed 4 strokes if found on 2nd hole or thereafter).
  4. Only USGA approved clubs shall be used in tournament play. Non-conforming clubs are not approved.
  5. The use of swing training aids or other aids will not be allowed in tournament play. (Penalty: Disqualification)
  6. Rocks in sand traps interfering with stroke, will be removed without penalty.
  7. Relief from divots in fairway only. Ball may be picked up and placed (no more than 6 inches) no nearer to the hole. Relief must be verified by a member of your playing group. (Relief may be taken if divot has been repaired by sand or divot grass replaced).
  8. Out of bounds is defined by white stakes. The use of white out of bounds stakes between adjacent holes(2nd Hole at Jacaranda West when driving from 7th hole for example) is permissible by USGA for the safety of others and so holes will not be shortened by hitting to adjacent fairway. A practice range within course will be out of bounds if marked by white stakes.
  9. Local rules: We shall comply with local rules. Please refer to scoring card or if in doubt, play a provisional ball and keep both scores on the hole till it can be clarified by steering committee or golf course PGA professional.