League Rules | Highbridge Hills Hackers

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General Rules
League Fees
Teams & Rosters
Handicaps
Scoring & Match Play
Rules of Play
Substitute Players
Standings & Tiebreakers
Code of Conduct
Privacy Policy

1. General Rules

The Highbridge Hills Hackers is a weekly 9-hole handicapped match play league held at High Bridge Hills Golf Club in High Bridge, NJ. League play runs from late April through late August each season.

All players are expected to be familiar with the rules of golf as published by the USGA, except where modified by these league rules. In cases of conflict, league rules take precedence.

      Greens Fees: $30 with cart or $25 walking, payable directly to the High Bridge Hills Pro Shop. High Bridge residents and HBHGC members pay according to their appropriate rate.
    

2. League Fees

League fees are due before the start of each season. All fees go toward prizes, awards, and end-of-season events.

Player fee: $100 per person

      League Sponsors

      Sponsors are welcome and appreciated. Sponsor fees are $300 for year 1 and $100 for each additional year. Sponsors may cancel at any time.

3. Teams & Rosters

Teams are established at the beginning of each season. Rosters are finalized before the first match. Players may not switch teams once the season begins without approval from the League Chairman.

Each team must field at least the minimum number of players per match as specified by the schedule. Teams unable to field the minimum number of players must use substitute players.

4. Handicaps

Handicaps are calculated and maintained by the League based on USGA rules and scores submitted during league play. Handicaps are recalculated automatically after each submitted score and reflected on the Rosters page.

Players new to the league will be assigned an initial handicap based on their GHIN index or an assessment by the Handicap Committee. All handicaps are subject to review and adjustment by the League Chairman.

5. Scoring & Match Play

The league uses a net match play format. Each hole is won, lost, or halved based on net scores after handicap strokes are applied. The player who wins the most holes wins the match.

Individual Match Points

There are 4 individual matches per week. Each match is 9-hole net match play worth a maximum of 2 points:

Win — 2 points
Tie — 1 point each
Loss — 0 points

Total individual match points available per team per week: 8

Forfeits

When a player cannot play, the following rules apply:

Individual Match Points

Single forfeit — The opposing player is awarded 2 points provided they complete 9 holes and submit a scorecard. The forfeiting player receives 0 points.
Double forfeit — If neither player shows, 0 points to each side.

Handicap Impact

A non-forfeit player's score counts toward their handicap calculation normally — no flags, no exclusions. The score also counts toward individual awards (Low Gross, Low Net, etc.).

Team Low Net (2-point team bonus)

One forfeit on a team — Team Low Net is calculated from the 3 actual matches played; the forfeited slot is excluded from the team total.
Two or more forfeits on a team — Team auto-loses Team Low Net. The opposing team is awarded the 2 points.
Both teams have 2 or more forfeits — No Team Low Net awarded to either team.

Team Net Points

2 additional points are awarded each week to 4 teams based on team net score (stroke play) vs their competitor that week. All 4 players' net scores (gross minus handicap) are added together and compared with the opposing team's total. The team with the lowest combined net score wins the 2 points.

A minimum of 3 players must play for a team to be eligible for team points.
If only 3 players play, the team score is based on those 3 matches only — no substituting best scores.
If only 1 or 2 players show, that team is eligible for individual match points only — not team points.
If both teams field fewer than 3 players, neither team is awarded team points.

Weekly Points Summary

4 individual matches × 2 points = 8 points
Team net score result = 2 points
Maximum points per team per week = 10 points

6. Rules of Play

Standard USGA rules of golf apply except as modified below.

Rule 1 — Pace of Play

Players are expected to maintain a good pace of play. Ready golf is encouraged. Groups falling significantly behind the group ahead may be asked to skip a hole to catch up.

Rule 2 — Out of Bounds & Lost Ball

A ball that is out of bounds or lost may be replayed from the original position with a one-stroke penalty, or the player may take a lateral drop under the stroke-and-distance rule.

Rule 3 — Unplayable Lies

A player may declare their ball unplayable anywhere on the course (except in a water hazard) and take relief with a one-stroke penalty under the applicable USGA rule.

Rule 4 — Water Hazards

Standard USGA water hazard rules apply. Players may take relief with a one-stroke penalty.

Rule 5 — Preferred Lies

Preferred lies (lift, clean and place within one club length, no closer to the hole) may be in effect during certain course conditions. The League will announce when preferred lies are in effect prior to play.

Rule 6 — Conceded Putts (Gimmes)

      Concede Putts: A stroke may be conceded by an opponent at any time before the player's next stroke. A concession is final: it cannot be refused once offered, and it cannot be withdrawn. The ball is considered holed with the conceded stroke added to the score. To maintain the spirit of the game and improve pace of play, putts should be conceded when they are within a reasonable "gimme" distance at the opponent's discretion.
    

Rule 7 — Damaged or Embedded Ball

A ball that is embedded in its own pitch mark in the general area may be lifted, cleaned, and dropped as near as possible to where it lay, no nearer the hole, without penalty.

7. Substitute Players

Teams that cannot field a full lineup must use an approved substitute player from the Substitutes list. Substitutes must be approved by the League Chairman prior to play.

A substitute player's handicap will be used for match play purposes. Substitute players may not play in more than a set number of matches per season as established by the League Chairman.

8. Standings & Tiebreakers

Standings are determined by total points accumulated over the season. In the event of a tie at the end of the season, tiebreakers will be applied in the following order:

Head-to-head record between the tied teams
Total holes won during the season
A playoff round if necessary, at the discretion of the League Chairman

9. Code of Conduct

All players are expected to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with the spirit of the game. This includes respect for fellow players, the course, and the staff of High Bridge Hills Golf Club.

Unsportsmanlike behavior, slow play, and failure to follow the rules may result in penalties or suspension from the league at the discretion of the League Chairman.

10. Privacy Policy

We collect mobile phone numbers for the purpose of sending SMS messages related to the Highbridge Hills Hackers league. Mobile information and messaging consent will not be shared with third parties, affiliates, or lead generators for marketing or promotional purposes at any time. Message frequency varies. Message and data rates may apply. Reply STOP to unsubscribe.