Play is governed by the 2023 RCA Rules of Golf and its decisions, and, where applicable, by the following Local Rules, conditions, and definitions, subject to changes or amendments by the Heritage Golf Academy (HGA) Rules Committee. Local Rules will be posted up at the clubhouse and it is the parent/guardian and player’s responsibility to check these rules before the commencement of play. Heritage Golf reserves the right to change the Rules & Regulations prior to or during an event.
1. TIME OF STARTING/LATE TO TEE
- If a player arrives at their tee, ready to play, within five minutes of their starting time, the penalty for failure to start on time is two strokes at the first hole.
- If a player arrives at the tee more than five minutes after their starting time, they will receive a 10 on that hole and any future holes missed.
- Players may not join a group during play of a hole; they must join them on the next
2. DOUBLE PAR RULE
- A player shall play no more than double par stokes on a hole.
- Once the maximum number of strokes on a hole are reached, a player must pick up their ball and wait for the other players in the group to complete the hole.
3. PACE OF PLAY
- Each player must play without undue delay, which is defined as taking no more than 40 seconds to play a shot without interference or distraction. The 40-second rule is in place to assure playing without “undue delay” and to prevent coaching and slow The pace of play card system may be implemented for all players.
- Caddies are to refrain from coaching the player during the course of It is the caddie’s duty to help the player hit each shot within a reasonable period of time.
- When it is determined that a group is behind time par (15 minutes per hole) or out of position, the group will be warned and asked to speed up play.
- If the group continues to fall behind, each member of the group may be
- If a player takes more than the allotted time, they may be subject to a
4. OUT OF BOUNDS
- Where white stakes or fence posts are used, the nearest inside points at ground level define out of bounds.
- When out of bounds is defined by a white line on the ground, the line itself is out of
- A ball coming to rest on or crossing any public road is considered out of bounds, even if it comes to rest on another part of the golf course.
5. WATER HAZARDS
- Water hazards are defined by yellow lines and designated by yellow stakes. In the absence of lines, the stakes both identify and define the hazard.
6. LATERAL WATER HAZARDS
- Lateral water hazards are defined by red lines and designated by red stakes. In the absence of lines, the stakes both identify and define the hazard.
7. BALL DROPS
- A “dropping zone” is an area enclosed by a white line having the words “dropping zone” printed inside it.
- A “dropping zone” is not ground under The line itself is in the “dropping zone”.
8. GROUND UNDER REPAIR
- Enclosed white lined areas define ground under The white lines are considered in ground under repair.
- Other areas of ground under repair, even though not so marked include: French drains (trenches filled with stones or like), mole hills
G. FLOWER BEDS IDENTIFIED BY BLUE STAKES
- To be treated as Ground Under Relief is mandatory.
10. SOD SEAMS FOR LIE OF BALL ONLY
- To be treated as ground under repair through the
- All seams in a given area are deemed to be the same
11. EMBEDDED BALL
- The “Embedded Ball Rule” is in effect “through the ”
12. SIGNALS FOR SUSPENSION AND RESUMPTION OF PLAY
- If play is suspended by one long siren or horn blast or verbal direction by a Rules Committee member, the player must immediately discontinue play and look for shelter.
- All practice areas are closed until the Committee has declared them open for use. Penalty for breach of this rule is a 10 stroke penalty on the first hole when play
- It is the player’s responsibility to be ready when play resumes that will be signalled by two short siren blasts repeated or verbal direction.
- All players failing to start play on time after a delay will be assessed a score of 10 on that and any subsequent holes on which their group has already begun
- A player may not join a group during play of the hole; but must join them on the next
- A player may discontinue play and seek shelter if he believes there is dangerous weather (lightning, etc.) regardless of whether any tournament suspension siren has been heard. The player must report to the committee as soon as
Bad weather (rain, wind, temperature extremes etc.) is not itself a good reason for
discontinuing play.
- The Heritage Golf Rules Committee makes all decisions regarding weather delays and/or
cancellations on site the day of the event. The intention is to play the event on its
scheduled day, and everything possible will be done in order to do so. All eighteen hole
rounds will be separated into two nine hole stipulated rounds if necessary.
DISTANCE MEASURING DEVICE
- Devices that measure distance only are permitted.
- Devices capable of performing other functions are prohibited. Penalty: score of 10 on
any hole used.
ELECTRONIC DEVICES
- Cell phones (with the exception to contact HGA Official/Club or Pro-Shop for rulings),
headphones, cameras, and the like may not be used during play.
- First offense will result in a warning and a second offense in disqualification.
CARTS
- Pull carts/trolleys are allowed for use unless prohibited by the golf course due to weather
conditions.
- Remote controlled carts are allowed for use unless prohibited by the golf course due to
weather conditions.
CART POLICY
- Golf Carts are not permitted by players or caddies at the venue. Spectators may use
carts.
CADDIE POLICY
- All players are required to have caddies.
- All caddies are required to wear an HGA caddy bib.
- All caddies are required to sign the HGA Caddy Code of Conduct before tournament
commencement.
CADDIE USE OF CARTS
- Players and caddies must walk during play of each hole unless a medical certificate is
provided prior and permission granted by HGA
- .Penalty: Two strokes per hole at which any breach occurred; maximum penalty per
round: Four strokes.
CODE OF CONDUCT
- Players, caddies or spectators are guests at HGA host facilities and are subject to the
rules and guidelines the host facility sets out with respect the use of practice areas,
practice rounds and the golf course and will not disrespect or threaten with verbal abuse
any host facility staff member prior to or during the event.
Bad weather (rain, wind, temperature extremes etc.) is not itself a good reason for
discontinuing play.
- The Heritage Golf Rules Committee makes all decisions regarding weather delays and/or
cancellations on site the day of the event. The intention is to play the event on its
scheduled day, and everything possible will be done in order to do so. All eighteen hole
rounds will be separated into two nine-hole stipulated rounds if necessary.
DISTANCE MEASURING DEVICE
- Devices that measure distance only are permitted.
- Devices capable of performing other functions are prohibited. Penalty: score of 10 on
any hole used.
ELECTRONIC DEVICES
- Cell phones (with the exception to contact HGA Official/Club or Pro-Shop for rulings),
- headphones, cameras, and the like may not be used during play. First offense will result in a warning and a second offense in disqualification.
CARTS
- Pull carts/trolleys are allowed for use unless prohibited by the golf course due to weather
conditions.
- Remote controlled carts are allowed for use unless prohibited by the golf course due to
weather conditions.
CART POLICY
- Golf Carts are not permitted by players or caddies at the venue. Spectators may use
carts.
CADDIE POLICY
- All players are required to have caddies.
- All caddies are required to wear an HGA caddy bib.
- All caddies are required to sign the HGA Caddy Code of Conduct before tournament
commencement.
CADDIE USE OF CARTS
- Players and caddies must walk during play of each hole unless a medical certificate is
provided prior and permission granted by HGA.
- Penalty: Two strokes per hole at which any breach occurred; maximum penalty per
round: Four strokes.
CODE OF CONDUCT
- Players, caddies or spectators are guests at HGA host facilities and are subject to the
rules and guidelines the host facility sets out with respect the use of practice areas,
practice rounds and the golf course and will not disrespect or threaten with verbal abuse
any host facility staff member prior to or during the event.
HGA RULES AND REGULATIONS
- Violations include: abusive language, club throwing, cheating, disrespect of volunteers
or officials, abuse to the golf course or the facilities, littering, or any other conduct
unbecoming of a player or caddie.
- Heritage Golf reserves the right to dismiss any player, caddie or spectator at any time for
any reason during the event.
- Repeated violations may lead to rejection of future entries.
DRESS CODE
- Only acceptable golf attire is permitted. Players and caddies are prohibited from
wearing shoes with metal spikes, short shorts, swimwear, and denim of any kind, Tshirts,
or tank tops.
- Players or caddies may not display logos/text/imagery on my attire, equipment or apparel
(including accessories, such as headwear, wristbands, socks, etc.) that may reflect
adversely upon the image and reputation of HGA, insult or offend the any community or
any group or be viewed as hateful, abusive, obscene or divisive, as reasonably
determined by HGA.
- Shirts must be tucked in at all times and hats may not be worn indoors.
- Players or caddies not appropriately attired will not be permitted to participate.
TOBACCO & ALCOHOL
- Tobacco and alcohol use by players or caddies is not permitted during the event.
- First offense will result in a warning and a second offense in disqualification.
HANDLING TIES FOR AWARDS PURPOSE
- Play-offs will take place where there is a tie for 1st place after playing days. Players
will be required to complete the allocated hole and should a player win that play-off hole,
the play-off will be concluded.
- If, however, there is still a tie after the first play-off hole, players will proceed to the next
hole and to the third if there is still no winner.
- If there is still no winner after the third play-off hole, the winner will be decided by a count
out from the 18th hole for all 18 hole players on the final day irrespective of the score.
If the players are still tied, the count out will continue backwards from the last hole until
a winner is determined.
- All other ties for trophy purposes will be decided by a count out from hole 18 (18 hole
players, irrespective which hole the players started on) and if the scores are still level
then hole 8 or 17 and so on down until a player has a lower score for a hole regardless
whether the golfer started on hole 1 or 10. This will be based on the final day’s scorecard
irrespective of the score.
RESULT OF THE COMPETITION
- When all the scores have been posted on the official scoreboard and approved by Heritage Golf
Golf, the result of the competition is deemed to have been officially announced.
HGA RULES AND REGULATIONS
DISQUALIFICATION POLICY
- In some instances a player may be disqualified for any violations of the Rules of Golf. A
maximum penalty score of 10 on any hole where the infraction may be issued.
- In situations where the round or hole has been completed, the penalty score of 10 will
apply to the last hole played or to the hole where the infraction occurred.
- Exceptions: A player or caddie may be disqualified for code of conduct violations or
unauthorized use of electronic devices or tobacco/alcohol.
SPECTATOR POLICY
- Spectators attend HGA events at their own risk and we ask you to exercise caution at all
times.
- Spectators and parents are allowed to assist in the search for lost balls.
- Spectators are allowed to carry medicine, food, drinks, umbrellas, etc.
- Cell phones, headphones, and the like may not be used during play.
- Spectators are not allowed on the greens or on the fairways. In the absence of cart paths,
spectators must stay in the rough.
- First offense: warning, second offense: removal from the golf course.
SAFETY ANNOUNCEMENT
- Participation during tournament play can be dangerous. A player may discontinue play if
he believes there are dangerous weather conditions (lightning, etc.) or other good reason
such as illness. Seek shelter or medical help when these conditions arise.
- Please be aware of others near you at all times on the course and practice area. It is
possible that you may get struck by a club or ball hit by someone else.
- When attending event related functions such as opening ceremonies, awards
presentations, etc., please use extreme caution and be mindful of how you or your
player’s/family member etc., actions may affect others in close proximity.
- While necessary precautions are taken to insure everyone’s safety, it is critical that we
all work together to provide a safe and fun environment for all in attendance. You may use
a cell phone to call for medical help at any time during the event.
LIABILITY DISCLAIMER
- The host golf club and Heritage Golf Academy (HGA) do not accept responsibility whatsoever for
any loss of life or theft of money, bags, keys, clubs, clothing, valuables or any loss of
property, or for damage or loss of any vehicle on the estate, nor any injury or damage to
any person.
- The host golf club and HGA do not accept responsibility for any damage to property
occasioned by any act or omission of any of the Club’s members, guests, servants, staff
or agents.
- The host golf club and HGA will not be held responsible for safekeeping of any property
of goods brought onto the property by any person.
- The host golf club and HGA takes no responsibility whatsoever for injury or death
incurred as a result of a lightning strike.