Frequently Asked Questions
 

For those of you new to the league this year, and for those of you who need to be re-trained when you come back from a long lunch, here are some common questions, with appropriate answers, on how this thing all works - and it somehow does.  hpGL Local Rules document has the complete set of rules and regulations and the Committee is the final authority.

Q: My captain has sent out our team schedule. What if I'm scheduled to play, but cannot (because of a really, really, really good reason)?
A: Notify your team captain so that he, she, or you, can find a replacement.  The team captain will then make the change on the online tee times sheet in a timely manner.
Q: It's Tuesday night and I'm playing tomorrow.   What do I do?
A: Plan to bring everything that you will need to work with you.  This includes golf clubs.
Q: It's Wednesday and I'm playing today.  What do I do?
A: Leave work in plenty of time to: get to the correct course, check in with the starter AT LEAST 15 minutes before your team's first scheduled tee time, change clothes, warm up, etc.  Know what your handicap is at the course you are playing.
Q: How do I know who I am playing against?
A: The tee time sheet that the starter will check you in with has your scheduled opponent adjacent to your name.  All scheduled players' handicaps are also on this sheet.
Q: What if someone else shows up to play instead of my scheduled opponent?
A: If there has been a last minute change of players, it may be necessary to get all eight players from the two teams together on the first tee and pair off in handicap order.  This is why it is important to know your own handicap.  DON'T do this rearranging in the pro shop.
Q. How did the starter's tee times sheet get to the course?
A. The Committee has arranged to have the tee times sheets faxed to the courses well ahead of the time when even the most enthusiastic golfer would show up at the course.
Q. How are the foursomes arranged?
A. The #1 player (lowest handicap) and #4 player (highest handicap) from each team play in the first foursome.  The #2's and #3's play in the next foursome.   The equal numbered players play against one another.
Q. What happens if someone doesn't show up?
A. In the rare situation where someone doesn't show up, you play without him.   The other team's player that was scheduled to play the missing player must play the entire match and turn in his scorecard to gain any points.
Q. Can the #2's and #3's go ahead and play first if the missing player was scheduled to play #1 or #4 and he might still show up late?
A. Yes, if both captains (or #1 players) agree.  BUT DON'T HOLD UP PLAY.
Q. What if the missing player shows up late?
A. If the missing player shows up after his team's two foursomes have tee'd off, he can, WITH THE PERMISSION OF THE STARTER, attempt to join his foursome on the course.   Don't go out on the course without the starter's knowledge.
Q. How should the scorecards be filled out?
A. Each twosome match should have their own card.  Each player's first and last names, team name or #, and handicap should be put on the card.  Record each player's score for each hole, circle the holes that are won by each player, and add up the nine-hole totals.
Q. How are the player's handicaps figured in?
A. The difference in handicaps between the two players is what is used to figure how many strokes the higher handicapped player gets from his opponent on a given hole.
Q. Huh?
A. For example, if player A has a course handicap of 3, and player B is an 8, then B gets five strokes from A.  These strokes are given on the five hardest holes.   If player C is a 12, and D is a 22, then D gets ten strokes, two on the hardest hole and one on each of the others.
Q. How do you know which are the harder holes?
A. The scorecard usually lists the hole #, its yardage, its par, and a handicap stroke table number.  The lower the handicap number, the harder the hole.   Usually the front nine has the odd numbered handicap holes and the back nine the even numbered ones.  We usually play the front nines.
Q. I've heard of a 10-stroke rule.  What is that?
A. There is a ten-stroke maximum on any one hole.  This means that if you have hit your ninth stroke and the ball is still not in the hole, pick it up and record an 'X-10' on the scorecard for that hole. DO NOT play any more strokes on that hole.  If you get a ten on a hole, you cannot win the hole, no matter what.  The best you can do is tie if your opponent also gets an X-10.  There is no such thing as a 'natural' ten.
Q. My opponent and I both got X-10's on a hole where I get a stroke.  Do I win that hole?
A. No, two X-10's equal one pushed hole.  This would always result in a 1-1 push score for that hole, regardless of any handicap differential.
Q. I had a gimme putt for a 10 and my opponent hit nine from the tee and then picked up.  Do I win that hole?
A. Golf doesn't always seem fair.  No, two X-10's equal one pushed hole.
Q. What do we do when we finish?
A. The first foursome to finish will retrieve the hpGL 'binder' from its safe place near the starter, and take it to a more appropriate place to relax and add up numbers.  This place is usually obvious.  Pop a soda.  Foursomes after the first one can skip the step about retrieving the hpGL 'binder.
Q. What's in the hpGL 'binder'?
A. It contains a number of hpGL 'envelopes,' one for each week in the half that is still left to play.  It also contains the Rules & Regs, some local hpGL rules, how a 'man versus woman' match is scored, and the results sheet that is filled out after the matches.
Q. What's in the hpGL 'envelope'?
A. Nothing, yet.
Q. This is too easy.  Now what?
A. After your scorecard is completed as above, and both opponents have checked it over and signed it, the next step is to fill out the results sheet.
Q. What is the results sheet and what do I do with it?
A. This is the same sheet that was used as the starter's tee time sheet when you checked in.  All matches at this course are on this one sheet.  Find your name and put down your gross score, and calculate and enter your net score.  Put the number of points won by each player in the columns labeled 'Points.'  For most matches this should add up to 18.  Don't worry about the 'Bonus Pts' column.  That's all you have to do with the results sheets.
Q. Why wouldn't the points in a match add up to eighteen?
A. If one player missed one or more holes then the points might be less than eighteen, depending upon the performance of the golfer who was playing.
Q. Does someone have to sign the results sheet?
A. A representative from each team should sign the results sheet above their team's block where it says, 'Signature,' just to indicate that they've checked it over.
Q. My opponent and I do not agree on a rules situation that occurred during the round.  What should we do or what should we have done?
A. Firstly, you should have invoked Rule 3-3 and played a second ball.  You would then indicate on the results sheet that there is a problem and who the Committee is to contact for more info.  Even if you didn't invoke Rule 3-3 you could still indicate that there was a problem on the results sheet.  If there is no indication of a problem on the results sheets then the numbers shown on the sheet will most likely be the numbers posted to the standings.
Q. What do we do with the scorecards?
A. After you've filled out the results sheet, put each scorecard into the hpGL 'envelope.'  If there is no scorecard then you haven't played, and no points will be awarded.
Q. All foursomes are in and we've filled out all of the results sheet.  Now what do we do?
A. Make sure the results sheet, and all twelve scorecards are in the hpGL 'envelope'.  Keep the hpGL 'binder' in the Pro Shop.   Someone from the final 2 teams in the last match at each course is responsible for bringing the hpGL 'envelope' to the R4 Lobby the next morning.  Find a reliable volunteer and give him/her the hpGL 'envelope' to return to the R4 Lobby the next morning, bright and early.  Finish your soda and go home.  Drive safely.
Q. I'm taking the envelope back to the R4 Lobby.  Do I just drop it on the desk?
A. No.  It must be checked in with either security or the front desk personnel.  If you just leave it there they will throw it away, or have the bomb squad called out to blow it up.
Q. Isn't this all really complicated?
A. No, it sounds a lot harder than it is.  And it makes things a lot easier on everyone, especially the  handicapper and reporter, if we do things the correct way.
Q. I shot a net score lower than that shown as low for the week.  Why wasn't mine shown as low net?
A. For new players, you must have played a minimum of one official league match before you are eligible for this recognition.
Q. I'm a member of the hpGA. What about posting?
A. You are required to post your nine-hole scores.  See the hpGA discussion of how to post nine-hole scores.
Q. I'm playing the 5th hole at Woodcreek and my ball hits the electric wires.  What do I do?
A. Aside from the fact that we don't play Woodcreek in the League this year, this is a local course rule.  You must drop and replay your shot, with no penalty.  It's as if the shot never happened (except for the fact that you're mad because you just struck your most solid shot of the day).

Thanks,
the Committee

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